Frontier Law
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Elmer Clifton
Russell Hayden
Fuzzy Knight
Dennis Moore
Jennifer Holt
Jack Ingram
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
On his way to Wyoming from Montana, cowboy Jim Warren discovers trapper Ramblin' Rufe Randall caught in one of his own traps. Jim tells Rufe he is looking for his old friend, Dusty Norton, and Rufe asks to ride along with him into the town of Toll Gate, which is in the midst of a range war between the cattlemen and sheep ranchers. Just outside town, on Frank Rogers' sheep ranch, cattleman Dick Ferrell, who with partner Joe Hawkins runs the Cattleman's Association, is illegally attempting to alter a calf's brand when Frank and his daughter Lois ride up. Frank accuses Ferrell of grazing his cattle on his land and when Ferrell draws his gun, Frank is forced to kill the cattleman in self-defense. Jim and Rufe witness the altercation and at the urgings of Lois and Jim, Frank leaves the ranch before Hawkins arrives with his henchmen, who include Dusty, Slinger Jones, Weasel and Dirk. After Jim and Dusty reminisce about beinging brought up together by an old gunslinger, Jim asks his friend to return with him to Montana. Dusty refuses, however, saying that he is committed to Hawkins and the Association. Jim then learns that all had been peaceful between the cattlemen and sheepmen in Toll Gate until Hawkins and Ferrell's arrival. Later that evening under pressure from Hawkins, Ferrell's murder inquest is held at the Silver Dollar saloon. Advised about the hastily arranged inquest by fellow sheep rancher Sam Vernon, Jim, Rufe and Lois arrive just after the jury has found that Frank must strand trial for murder and, despite their efforts, Jim and Lois's testimony is refused. When Jim promises to see that Frank's case is handled legally, he is attacked by one of Hawkin's men. Dusty breaks up the fight, warning Jim not to get involved or at least wear a gun in Toll Gate. Hawkins posts a reward for Frank's capture and orders his men to ambush Jim, who thwarts the attack. Afterward, while investigating near the sight of Ferrell's death, Jim discovers the illegal branding iron and realizes Hawkins, the Association and the range war are a cover for cattle rustling. Frank returns to his ranch, intent on turning himself in, but Lois and Jim advise him to remain hidden until they can arrange to get him safely to the sheriff. With the help of Sam and cattleman Jed Bates, Jim finds the rustlers' corral in Lost Canyon, where Hawkins has been altering the brands of stolen cattle. In the meantime, Frank is captured and jailed, and Jim arrives on the scene as Hawkins is inciting the town to lynch the innocent sheep rancher. Slinger then taunts the unarmed Jim, who pulls his six-shooter out of his saddle bag and reveals that he is actually Smoky Montana, the most feared gunslinger in the West. Hawkins orders Dusty to confront his old friend, and Jim, mistaking Dusty's movements, wounds him in the shoulder. A bloody gun battle ensues, ending in the capture of Hawkins and his gang and the vindication of Frank. Afterward, Lois offers Jim her undying gratitude.
Director
Elmer Clifton
Cast
Russell Hayden
Fuzzy Knight
Dennis Moore
Jennifer Holt
Jack Ingram
Hal Taliaferro
George Eldredge
Stanford Jolley
Frank Larue
James Farley
Johnny Bond
Art Fowler
Mike Vallon
Earle Hodgins
Roy Butler
Crew
Bernard B. Brown
Everett Carter
Elmer Clifton
Oliver Drake
R. A. Gausman
Joseph Gershenson
John B. Goodman
Abraham Grossman
Jess Moulin
Milton Rosen
Paul Sawtell
Melville Shyer
William Sickner
Mort Singer Jr.
Lee R. Smith
Edgar Zane
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title for this film was Gunfighters. No contemporary reviews were found for this film. According to a Hollywood Reporter news item, following an injury, Tex Ritter was replaced in the film's lead by Russell Hayden, who was borrowed by Universal from Pine-Thomas. Hollywood Reporter also states that actor Dennis Moore was borrowed by Universal from Monogram. Modern sources include Tex Cooper, Harry Tenbrook, Victor Cox, Bob Reeves, Pascale Perry, Frosty Royce, Hank Bell and Neal Hart in the cast. Modern sources also state that Rod Cameron acted as Hayden's double in the film, and that the Red River Valley Boys consisted of Paul Sells, Wesley Tuttle and Jimmie Dean.
