Gun Code (1940) Poster

(1940)

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7/10
Another very good McCoy western.
planktonrules14 November 2019
Oddly, the plot of "Gun Code" sounds much like the plot of a gangster picture of the era! In this case, a gang is offering 'protection' from townsfolk...and if they don't pay, bad things happen to them in this western town..such as when they kill the newspaper editor and the parson. So, it's up to our beloved action hero, Marshall Tim Hammong (Tim McCoy), to save the day and make things safe for the people.

Tim McCoy was NOT one of the pretty cowboys of the era and he never sang. Instead, he was a real-life Colonel who lived in the west, spoke Indian languages and was a crack shot who performed on stage. Because he was, in many ways, 'the real McCoy', I find his movies far better than most B-westerns of the day.

Here in "Gun Code", McCoy is much more pugnacious than normal...and gets in fight after fight with members of the Protection Association. It fits the plot...so I am not complaining. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that the identity of the leader of the baddies is pretty obvious. Still, it is an entertaining and well mad cheap B-movie....and one worth seeing.

telephones

By the way, at one point Tim refers to the actions of the Protective Association as 'blackmail'. This is not the correct term, as blackmailers use negative facts against someone to get their money. Instead, what they are doing is extortion....where you threaten violence unless someone pays you.
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7/10
Better Pay Up or Else!
bsmith555214 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"Gun Code" is a better than average Tim McCoy western. It's about a protection racket being run in the dusty little western town of Miller's Flats.

The story begins with newspaper editor Dave Garrett (Jack C. Smith) being gunned down in the street by a gang of "protectors" because he was about to reveal the identities of the leaders of the extorsion gang. His daughter Betty (Inna Guest) and young son Jerry (Robert Winkler) along with the help of Curley Haines (Lou Fulton) take over publishing the paper.

Marshal Tim Hammond (McCoy) rides into town and discover that his father Parson Hammond (John Elliott) has also been murdered because he too threatened to reveal names from his pulpit. Tim decides to go under cover as a blacksmith under the name of Tim Hays. One of the "protectors" Slim Doyle (Carleton Young) is trying to extort money from Betty as Tim walks in. A fight breaks out and Slim is sent packing. Tim then learns the details of the situation in town.

In front of his blacksmith shop Tim is approached by "protector" Bart (George Chesebro) who asks him to join the protective organization. Another fight breaks out. Bart is joined by Gale (Dave O'Brien) and a third member who beat Tim to the ground. They are driven away by Sheriff Kramer (Ted Adams). Tim and the sheriff go to the town banker Bradley (Stephen Chase) for advice.

Tim and the sheriff decide to stage a false arrest of Slim in order to draw out the leaders of the gang. The gang, meanwhile including saloon owner McClure (Jack Richardson) kidnap young Jerry and offer to exchange him for slim. Tim and the sheriff stage a phony escape whereby Tim appears to shoot down the sheriff allowing Slim to escape.

Slim arrivers at the hideout but is no longer trusted by Gale who guns him down. Jerry, meantime, has managed to escape. Tim and the sheriff having trailed Slim arrive on the scene and overpower the gang. Tim has figured out who the boss behind the scenes is. (It's not too hard really).

Tim McCoy was always able to raise his films a couple of notches above his contemporaries. He had an dominating presence and exuded authority at the same time...and he could fist it out with the best of them and out shoot most of them too.

As this was a poverty row PRC film, I was surprised to see such a relatively large cast and in particular the numbers of extras on the streets. This was rare for PRC.

By the way, what WAS the Gun Code anyhow?
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9/10
Marshal Tim enforces the Gun Code !!
revdrcac25 August 2006
Colonel Tim McCoy appears in this excellent Western programmer from 1940. McCoy stars as a Marshal who must go undercover to break up an extortion ring harassing a western town. The Henchmen are demanding "protection money" to protect the townsfolk from mischief.

The plot here is familiar, but well presented. The action, acting and pacing are all outstanding. Veteran western actors George Chesboro and Dave O'Brien turn in good performances as two of the henchman.

As a fan of Tim McCoy's films, I would rate this as one of his better efforts. His commanding & believable screen presence can elevate even a standard film to greatness. Enjoy this one !
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