So it was an undeclared war, but the 1862 law put cattlemen and those desiring to take advantage of the law to lay their hands on 160 acres at odds, and in this western, brother is once again fighting brother to keep newcomers from settling government owned land. A young Lloyd Bridges is the homesteader determined to achieve his dream, and it's up to marshal Randolph Scott to keep the peace since sheriff Edgar Buchanan isn't really doing anything to stop the rowdy cowhands in danger of losing their livielyhood. The townsfolk decide to fight for peace when they realize the benefits of the homesteaders and fight to bring down the saloons where much of the corruption is being spread from.
A lively performance by Ann Dvorak as the dance hall girl who changes her stance on the homesteaders is a huge plus, giving Randolph Scott a feisty love interest. Rhonda Fleming plays the daughter of the local merchant who defies her father when she begins to fall for the handsome Bridges. Buchanan is very funny playing a complete buffoon with Helen Boyce an aging bar hostess who seeks to wisen him up. The use of actual historical events in cresting a plausible fictional story aids this in being above average.
A lively performance by Ann Dvorak as the dance hall girl who changes her stance on the homesteaders is a huge plus, giving Randolph Scott a feisty love interest. Rhonda Fleming plays the daughter of the local merchant who defies her father when she begins to fall for the handsome Bridges. Buchanan is very funny playing a complete buffoon with Helen Boyce an aging bar hostess who seeks to wisen him up. The use of actual historical events in cresting a plausible fictional story aids this in being above average.