A young John Wayne heads the cast in this western as John Drury, a cowboy who seeks to defend a boisterous horse, Duke, against a charge of murder. To clear the horse, Drury goes after the criminal known as the Hawk, who is behind a series of crimes in the area. But when Drury is betrayed and left to die in the desert, will Duke come to his rescue? This slight tale is buoyed by Wayne’s appeal, and if Duke is not quite the “devil horse” promised by the poster, he’s still a good member of the cast.

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

Movie 173 for 2021.