Roger Corman is not known for his westerns, nor is writer Charles Griffith, but they teamed for this taunt early effort which holds up surprisingly well. It starts with a couple of socko moments: Beverly Garland takes her sheriff husband dinner only to see him shot – and she shoots one of the killers; then at the funeral she sees another of the killers and shoots him then and there! Then she goes and has a fist fight with the woman who runs the local saloon (Alison Hayes).
The film never quite recaptures the momentum of those three moments, although it has an energy and imagination that belies its low budget (which is painfully evident in the saloon sequences). The story turns into a sort of retread of Johnny Guitar, with Hayes hiring John Ireland to do away with Garland but falling for her. The film gets points by having us guess what Ireland will do right up to the end. With its strong female leads I thought the film might be better known as it is as a feminist piece (it does have some reputation).
A debit perhaps might be Garland – she’s accomplished enough and she grew on me, its just that she doesn’t quite fill what is a terrific role. (Hayes is more charismatic) I got a kick out of the scene where the dance hall girls try to hang Garland.
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