The Trusted Outlaw

Bob Steele has a reputation as an outlaw. However, with his father dead, he wants to return home, settle down, and marry old sweetheart Lois January. But when he goes to meet her, he is bushwhacked and kills the guy in self defense. The sheriff is skeptical, but Earl Dwire shows up to threaten Steele, and a local mine owner thinks Steele is the man to get his payroll past the road agents.

Robert Bradbury's last time directing his son shows his usual strengths -- he know how to handle the action sequences, particularly when Steele lets loose -- and his weaknesses: tired line readings, scripts with poorly motivated action, and watching horses run forever. Still, DP Bert Longenecker shoots the Iverson ranch well, Joan Barclay is charming, and all ends well. Bradbury would finish off the year mostly directing Tom Keene oaters, do some uncredited scriptwork, and last through 1949 and age 63. Steele would have some success at Republic, and was still a TV regular when I was a kid.