In the old American West, a man naps. Tall, dark and handsome Rory Calhoun (as Mike "Utah" Blaine) awakens to save an older man from hanging. A well-known gunslinger, Mr. Calhoun is immediately hired by the grateful rancher, who wants a tough guy to protect his property. Turns out, the hanging posse is a gang of crooks, led by dastardly Ray Teal (as Russ Nevers). They kill ranch owners and steal their land. Calhoun is looking to settle a score with George Keymas (as Rink Witter), who is coincidentally working with Mr. Teal. Wearing the tightest jeans and pointiest top in the west, local rancher's daughter Susan Cummings (as Angela "Angie" Kinyon) helps Calhoun and provides romantic interest...
This story was based on a Louis L'Amour book. It loses something in the translation to screen. A richness of plot and characters is evident, but they don't adapt well. We're left with a simple story, having too many characters. A singular villain, involved in the Mexican firing squad, would have helped. For whatever reasons, director Fred F. Sears is unable to stir much emotion in Calhoun. He's supposed to show an attraction for Ms. Cummings, and she for him. Her role is purely decorative; on that score, Cummings succeeds. Former boxer Max Baer (the father of "Beverly Hillbillies" Jethro) and Paul Langton (as Rip Coker) lend effective support, but the production is pedestrian and lacks passion.
**** Utah Blaine (2/1/1957) Fred F. Sears ~ Rory Calhoun, Susan Cummings, George Keymas, Ray Teal
This story was based on a Louis L'Amour book. It loses something in the translation to screen. A richness of plot and characters is evident, but they don't adapt well. We're left with a simple story, having too many characters. A singular villain, involved in the Mexican firing squad, would have helped. For whatever reasons, director Fred F. Sears is unable to stir much emotion in Calhoun. He's supposed to show an attraction for Ms. Cummings, and she for him. Her role is purely decorative; on that score, Cummings succeeds. Former boxer Max Baer (the father of "Beverly Hillbillies" Jethro) and Paul Langton (as Rip Coker) lend effective support, but the production is pedestrian and lacks passion.
**** Utah Blaine (2/1/1957) Fred F. Sears ~ Rory Calhoun, Susan Cummings, George Keymas, Ray Teal