The Marshal of Mesa City

Turner Classic Movies made a recent Monday morning memorable by presenting this little-known (in fact, unknown to me) gem.

First, the cast was one of the most impressive ever found in a B western, including as a bad guy the excellent Leon Ames. Mr. Ames, suave and debonair and very citified in so many films, was just about perfect as a corrupt sheriff.

His henchmen, not necessarily big names, were all huge in talent and were absolutely delightful to watch. Hmmm, "delightful" might be misleading: I don't mean they were fun, because they were, after all, bad guys, but I do mean they were such great cowboy villains that it was a real treat to see them getting an opportunity to perform in a high-class western.

George O'Brien was actually not very tall, despite a reference to that effect by the leading lady, the more than lovely Virginia Vale. But he was very manly and had a great physique, looking like a weight-lifter, and he could move gracefully and handle his fight scenes well.

In scenes where he attempted to intimidate bad guys without using his weapons, he was, therefore, very believable.

One very surprising actor, one I didn't, I blush to admit, recognize (and I used to see him at Sons of the Desert meetings when I lived in Los Angeles), was the great Henry Brandon in an unusual role.

Naturally, being Henry Brandon, he was winning and likable, and also very believable.

Western fans will love this; classic movie fans will love this; movie history buffs will love this. I know I did.