Dick Powell plays Sheriff Winters that has been the law in a town for over fifteen years. When a young man, Jess Bolin, gets in a gunfight instead of sending the lad to jail Sheriff Winters decides to house arrest the boy and let him live with him and his wife. But the decision does not set well with the locals. They want Jess in jail and also want to embarrass the Sheriff. It is going to be difficult when townsfolk start harassing Jess hoping that he will react to their prodding. It's only a matter of time before trouble starts again. Much to the pleasure of the town including the Sheriff's deputy.
The plot was very clear from the beginning as we are suppose to side with the young man that made a mistake but cannot be forgiven. It would have been much easier if the young man had been played by someone that seemed to have remorse for his actions. But what we are left with is a hot head that is easily prodded into events that makes the audience have less delight with the situation. The script does try to make the 'bad person' as the townsfolk but not sure if anyone would be happy with loose gunman, no matter the age, being treated so lightly. This script just was not appealing as perhaps the wrong people was accused of being cruel.
The plot was very clear from the beginning as we are suppose to side with the young man that made a mistake but cannot be forgiven. It would have been much easier if the young man had been played by someone that seemed to have remorse for his actions. But what we are left with is a hot head that is easily prodded into events that makes the audience have less delight with the situation. The script does try to make the 'bad person' as the townsfolk but not sure if anyone would be happy with loose gunman, no matter the age, being treated so lightly. This script just was not appealing as perhaps the wrong people was accused of being cruel.
