Arizona Gunfighter

This is one of the better Bob Steel films I have watched. Not only is the plot enjoyable but the story is different enough that it doesn't seem like just another version of 272341 other B-westerns!

The film starts with a the typical baddie trying to cheat honest ranchers out of their land. Colt (Steele) and his father refuse to knuckle under--even though this baddie is very well connected and apparently has bribed a lot of officials. So, what does a typical baddie do? Yup--he murders the father--but Colt isn't about to let that go unavenged and kills not only the baddie but his second in command. Afraid that the law won't work on his side, the injured Colt flees and is eventually discovered by the Jack Pine Mountain Gang--a notorious gang of outlaws. However, the leader of the group, Wolf, isn't an ordinary outlaw--he has a certain Robin Hood-like code of his own. He doesn't want to rob banks or steal from folks--just steal cattle from the rich land baron-types that cheated him out of his land. So, he and his gangs (including the newbie, Colt) spend the next two years rustling cattle and creating quite a name for themselves. Afterwords, he decides to quit this life and live an honest man--and he takes Colt with him after his disbands the gang.

Unfortunately, while the leader did a great job making a new life for his friend, Colt, he didn't do such a good job in disbanding the gang. Their new leader, not surprisingly named 'Snake' (who'd have figured that a guy named Snake would be evil?!?!), has decided to steal from EVERYONE and he must be stopped. So can Colt and Wolf bring Snake to justice and disband this group of outlaws once and for all? What do you think?!

I enjoyed this far more than the average Bob Steele film. While I usually like Steele and the fact that he really had a lot of real skills at horsemanship and fighting, many times the scripts and supporting actors the gave him were clearly 3rd-rate. Here, the script and acting are just fine. My only gripe is small--EVERYONE seemed to know what Snake would do except for Colt and Wolf!!! Still, it is unique and enjoyable throughout and is a nice story about redemption.