Decision at Sundown
They say revenge is a dish best served cold. Even cold it is a dish often served at dear cost. Bart Allison (Randolph Scott) and his partner Sam (Noah Berry) ride into Sundown, a town under the thumb of Tate Kimbrough, a man Allison holds responsible for his wife Mary’s suicide. Responsible by seducing and abandoning her to the despair that took her life. He finds Kimbrough up to his womanizing ways about to solidify economic and political control of the town by marriage of convenience to Lucy Summerton’s (Karen Steele) prominent family.
Allison decides to object to the nuptials at the wedding. He’s not alone. Ruby James has a claim in Kimbrough’s casual affections and sees nothing convenient in the marriage. She makes herself prominently known in the front pew of the church to everyone’s discomfort. Kimbrough has more than a few detractors who quietly disapprove, notably the highly respected town doctor John Storrow, who is secretly in love with Lucy.
Allison succeeds in disrupting the sacramental union and survives the gun play that follows. He and Sam take cover in the livery stable where a standoff ensues with Kimbrough’s Sheriff Swede Hansen and his deputies. Storrow is allowed to enter the stable to treat one of Hansen’s deputies, a man named Spanish, who is wounded. Storrow and others in town, including rancher Morley Chase oppose Kimbrough and his oppression of the town.
Kimbrough grows impatient with the standoff. He offers Allison and Sam safe passage if they leave town. Allison sees through the offer and refuses. Meanwhile Lucy is reconsidering the prospect of marrying Kimbrough and his philandering ways. She goes to the livery to convince Allison; his wife may not have been faithful. Angered, Allison doesn’t believe her. Sam knows Lucy is right. Allison will hear none of it. Sam decides to take the safe passage offer. Spanish kills him. Cold blooded murder is enough to turn the townsfolk against Kimbrough. Chase, his men, and Storrow disarm Hansen’s men. Allison shoots Hansen but is wounded in the exchange. Kimbrough is left to face Allison. Ruby wounds him to save him from Allison. Ruby confirms Allison’s wife was never faithful. Allison accepts the truth and the tragedy Sam died in vain. Drunk and disconsolate, Allison rides out of town.
Boetticher was not fond of the film. He thought it “mediocre” by Ranown series standards.
Next Week: Buchanan Rides Alone
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
Allison decides to object to the nuptials at the wedding. He’s not alone. Ruby James has a claim in Kimbrough’s casual affections and sees nothing convenient in the marriage. She makes herself prominently known in the front pew of the church to everyone’s discomfort. Kimbrough has more than a few detractors who quietly disapprove, notably the highly respected town doctor John Storrow, who is secretly in love with Lucy.
Allison succeeds in disrupting the sacramental union and survives the gun play that follows. He and Sam take cover in the livery stable where a standoff ensues with Kimbrough’s Sheriff Swede Hansen and his deputies. Storrow is allowed to enter the stable to treat one of Hansen’s deputies, a man named Spanish, who is wounded. Storrow and others in town, including rancher Morley Chase oppose Kimbrough and his oppression of the town.
Kimbrough grows impatient with the standoff. He offers Allison and Sam safe passage if they leave town. Allison sees through the offer and refuses. Meanwhile Lucy is reconsidering the prospect of marrying Kimbrough and his philandering ways. She goes to the livery to convince Allison; his wife may not have been faithful. Angered, Allison doesn’t believe her. Sam knows Lucy is right. Allison will hear none of it. Sam decides to take the safe passage offer. Spanish kills him. Cold blooded murder is enough to turn the townsfolk against Kimbrough. Chase, his men, and Storrow disarm Hansen’s men. Allison shoots Hansen but is wounded in the exchange. Kimbrough is left to face Allison. Ruby wounds him to save him from Allison. Ruby confirms Allison’s wife was never faithful. Allison accepts the truth and the tragedy Sam died in vain. Drunk and disconsolate, Allison rides out of town.
Boetticher was not fond of the film. He thought it “mediocre” by Ranown series standards.
Next Week: Buchanan Rides Alone
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
No comments have been added yet.
