In general, I like Johnny Mack Brown's films. They feature no singing and his persona was very nice--laid back, gentle-voiced but tough. However, Brown's performance, though just fine, isn't able to overcome the problems with this film--in particular, an overly complicated plot, some poor acting as well as a ridiculous bit of exposition! The film begins with Harve evading the law by riding into the bad lands*. Because he hasn't got much water, the law figures he'll soon die and stop pursuit. When a nice Mexican guy finds Harve nearly dead, Harve returns the favor by trying to kill this Good Samaritan. Soon, Jim comes along and saves both men. Why? Because he's a really swell guy.
Despite Harve's well-earned reputation for evil, Jim takes it upon himself to reform him and makes him his partner. However, EVERYONE in town thinks Harve is a skunk--even Jim's new wife. Now how Jim got this wife involves some of the weirdest writing on the planet involving another skunk (Lanning). What's even weirder is the relationship triangle involving Jim, his bride and Harve.
The plot truly has shades of latent homosexuality--which COULD have made all this pretty interesting. The problem is that the plot is so darned complicated and seems like the script was badly in need of a re-write. An even more egregious problem comes at the 33 minute mark when there is a LONG exposition by two guys who basically tell the audience everything that happened during the last month!! This is sloppy as well as stupid and simply showing what has happened or making a RATIONAL allusion to it could have worked. Overall, a rather poor outing--and certainly not among Brown's better work.
*Incidentally, the Bad Lands is a region of the Dakotas. I don't think the film meant this--especially since it looked nothing like this cavernous area.