It impressed me as slightly above-average because it's a bit different than the standard World-War-era, black-and-white, mass-produced western. Much of this film occurs at a trial, and, the bang-bangin', therefore, is more sparse. The "courtroom" is "ruled" by cantankerous old (and often humorous) fire-and-brimstone Judge Plunkett (although it's obvious that he's slightly less caustic to Bill). Dub Taylor, too, is the refreshingly-less-familiar but capable singing sidekick named Cannonball, who enlists Bill to travel with him to Independence, where Cannonball's father was killed by Jessup - witnessed by only Marsha. So, Jessup wants to marry Marsha because "a wife can't testify against her husband." Marsha's guardian is her niece-beating uncle, Rufe, who Jessup will pay to allow Marsha to become Jessup's bride. But Marsha is in love with Johnny, and, it's at Johnny's trial (for running away with/kidnapping Marsha) where Defense Attorney Bill states his suspicions regarding Jessup. An hour of time adequately spent.
Review of Hands Across the Rockies
