Archvillain Pandro Zanti (Earl Dwire) sets his sights on young Ruby (Sheila Terry) and plots the murder of her grandfather, Dusty (George “Gabby” Hayes) as well. John Tobin (John Wayne), whose parents Zanti had murdered years ago, comes to the assistance of Dusty and Ruby, but the hostility of the local sheriff and the conniving of the crooks make things look pretty black for John when Dusty is stabbed. Some nifty elements to this Lone Star western, including a hidden passage, a good river-crossing scene, and a truly menacing villain, help offset the heavy reliance on the lawman’s obtuse suspicions.

  Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great.

Movie 21 for 2021.