Shooting Straight

While "Shooting Straight" is a film I might have scored a bit lower had it been made a few years later, I'm giving it an 8, as for its time it's a very good movie. Some of the predictability and familiar plot elements only became more familiar in later films.

The film begins with the professional gambler, Larry Sheldon (Richard Dix), getting into a fight. Soon the guy is found dead and Larry and the cops assume the victim had died from the beating Larry gave him...and Larry is on the lam. However, the train he's on has a wreck and Larry wakes up two weeks later! The folks caring for him think he's a preacher and they are honored to have such an esteemed man staying with them! Plus, it soon becomes obvious that Doris has fallen for him...and vice-versa. However, a problem soon arises--a two-bit chiseling gambler, Ace Martin, is holding a fortune in gambling notes...notes belonging to Doris' stupid brother. So Larry, now known as Reverend Walters, has decided to stick around and help Doris and her brother out of this mess...and this means a confrontation with the very dishonest and evil Ace.

This is a very enjoyable film...but it's not a big surprise because Dix was a really good actor--one of the better ones of the day. He not only does a great job but the director did an amazing thing--making the most violent fight scene I think I've ever seen from this era! It's exciting and rough...and sure looks real. Overall, an interesting film with an exciting finale.