FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Beanbioca As Good As It Gets

Donald Seymour This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

JohnHowardReid NOTES: Although well-produced, Scott's second last film under his Warner Bros contract was churlishly handled by the studio in post-production and publicity. The movie was deliberately over-lit by cinematographer Carl Guthrie who had been assured that all prints of the film would be washed in a sepia bath. This would restore tone and contrast, making the images that look washed-out and over-exposed in ordinary black-and-white take on sharpness, contrast and color. Without over-lighting, many of the shots would look too dark when printed in sepia. However, the studio decided to save money by releasing prints in black-and-white only. Economy was also exercised on posters and lobby cards - the latter, overprinted in a deep red, are probably the least attractive cards the studio ever issued.COMMENT: An ingenious little western with a novel plot idea which allows for both action and comedy, plus a touch of romance. Randolph Scott, reaching the end of his career here still delivers the goods in his battle against those delightfully unscrupulous villains, James Craig and Myron Healey. While it's a late appearance for Scott, it's an early one for Angie Dickinson (her 9th actually) - though her fans are going to be mighty disappointed by her prim and modest demeanor and attire (Dani Crayne plays the saloon singer and plays it very nicely) - and an even earlier one for James Garner (his 3rd). He is just as uninspiring (both physically and histrionically) as ever. However, the rest of the support cast is very able. There's a fair bit of action with Scott doubling as a sort of masked avenger. Interest does flag a bit towards the end but it is revived with a bang by a splendid climax in which Scott and Craig demolish practically the entire contents of a well-stocked general store. Bare's direction is efficient without being in any way distinguished. The film is helped in its early stages by a bit of location shooting and production values generally are first rate - with a special mention for the lavishly stocked sets. There are a goodly number of extras milling about. Photography and other production credits are adequate.

mark.waltz Starting off with an Indian raid on a rural farmhouse, this quickly turns into a story of corruption in the nearby town. It's a convoluted trip from the countryside to the town square, with veteran Randolph Scott joining up with rising star James Garner, tossing in saloon singer Dani Crayne and respectful Angie Dickinson with a story that really isn't interesting or well structured. James Craig, leading B actor of the 1940's, is the ruthless town boss who was responsible for inferior ammunition which lead to Scott's brother's death on the opening scene. This is a late example of one of the major studio's attempt to draw in TV viewers (when westerns were everywhere during the late 1950's) and color was taking over the movies. This suffers from being in black and white and wide- screen, as well as overly long. There isn't even a comic sidekick to add humor, leaving this colorless in more ways than one.

bkoganbing In Shoot-Out At Medicine Bend Randolph Scott is cast as a recently mustered out army captain who arrives just in time to atop an Indian raid, but too late to save his brother. As he sees it the Indians were just doing their thing, but he wants to find out who sold his brother and the other settlers of the community they're building the defective ammunition that left them helpless. The trail leads Scott and his two sidekicks James Garner and Gordon Jones to the town of Medicine Bend.If ever a town needed a better business bureau it was Medicine Bend. The place is run by James Craig, Myron Healey, and assorted thugs they've hired. They have Mayor Don Beddoe and Sheriff Trevor Bardette intimidated. Usually villains like Craig are usually running a crooked saloon and he does that as well. But Craig has all kinds of interests and he undersells the other merchants with shoddy quality merchandise like the defective ammunition he sold Scott's brother. Honest people like Harry Harvey and daughter Angie Dickinson are being driven out of business through his cut rate 'bargains' and intimidation.The title lives up to its name, there is a dandy shootout. I liked the film for the fact it has an unusual villain in the form of a merchant. Unusual for westerns that is. Craig's practices are rather up to date when you think about it.For some reason this film is not out. That's a pity because it's not the greatest of Randolph Scott westerns, but pretty good.

sowestluv This is a classic western that incorporates the calvary and some religion. I am a big fan of Randolph Scott. While I prefer him in more serious roles, it was interesting to see him in a semi-comedic role. He does seem to have an air of mischief about him. In this movie he is smart, clever, and classy. I liked seeing some future stars in minor or uncredited roles. Angie Dickinson was very cute. She also had more weight in her earlier days of acting. This is the second western that I have seen her in. Remember Rio Bravo with John Wayne? James Gardner was good looking too. Also, a nice surprise to see in this movie was actor Nancy Kulp, better known as Miss Jane Hathaway from the Beverly Hillbillies. The storyline was a bit complicated and drawn-out in some areas, but overall a good story where good wins over evil.