It seems that originally Dakota Lil was done in color, but the print I saw was black and white. That probably helped as this rather dark film was better in noir black and white. But the upbeat ending and one that was not called for was misplaced in this western.
George Montgomery because some unsigned treasury notes were among the items stolen is assignment from the Treasury Department to track down the legendary Hole In The Wall gang. To get them he must get to a notorious forger whose services the gang needs in order to turn those notes into cash. That would be the title character Dakota Lil played here by Marie Windsor.
The most revealing bit of acting is done here by Rod Cameron normally a B western hero, but occasionally a bad guy. Here he is one really bad guy. Cameron prefers to strangle people as opposed to shooting them. That includes enemies and even people who don't move fast enough when he commands them to do something. Rod's one scary dude.
Dakota Lil is a good film absolutely spoiled with a rather unbelievable happy ending. You'll have to see it for yourself to judge if I'm right.
