Two westerns in 1952 starring Randolph Scott begin their movies with a group of bandits robbing a stagecoach. How will you ever tell them apart? Well, you'll just have to watch both of them, and since they're both entertaining, you'll be in for a real treat.
In Carson City, Scottie McScottie Pants shows he's in his physical prime. His entrance to the film is a grueling bar fight that lands him in jail, and it's not the last time he beats the tar out of those who get in his way. In addition to fistfights, he hops on and off horses with grace and leads a shirtless mining expedition armed with nothing but a pickaxe and a candle. "I may be 54, but I've still got it," he proudly shows the audience. He plays a railroad engineer bringing a train station to a small Nevadan town, and many in town oppose him, including newspaper owner Don Beddoe and secret bad guy Raymond Massey. Lucille Norman, Don's daughter, has held a torch for Scottie ever since she was a little girl, but Scottie's younger brother Richard Webb has a crush on her. Since Scottie's a nice guy, he doesn't want to get in the way, but some things can't be helped. When you watch this handsome, rugged cowboy who's more at ease in a saddle than on solid ground showing off his vast physical skills, it's not hard to understand why Lucille just can't let go of her crush.
This one is a lot of fun, and in a sea of 1950s westerns that blur together, it's nice to see one that stands out from the pack. Randolph Scott is the king of the western genre, but if you want to pick and choose among his movies, don't miss this one. Next up, check out Western Union for an adorable romance.