Burt Kennedy’s screen play for The Tall T is based on an Elmore Leonard short story. I read the story 3:10 to Yuma was based on and couldn’t believe the drama the screenplay drew from it. Elmore must have had a knack I didn’t see, ‘cuz here we go again. Put Kennedy’s script in front of Bud Boetticher’s director’s chair and off we go on a film that found its way into the Library of Congress National Film Registry, launching Boetticher’s Ranown series.

Pat Brennan (Randolph Scott – who else?), loses his horse on a bull riding bet and has to walk home. Fortunately, he gets picked up by a passing stage driven by a friend. The stage is chartered to take wealthy mine owner’s daughter, Doretta (Maureen O’Sullivan) and her newlywed husband Willard off on their honeymoon. Unfortunately, Frank Usher (Richard Boone) and his cutthroat pals Chink and Billy Jack, mistake the stage for the one they planned to holdup. More to misfortune, Pat’s pal the driver is killed.

Terrified, the newly wed hub endears himself to his spouse and the gang leader, suggesting that ransoming his bride to her rich father might be more lucrative than the intended heist. Frank signs on, sending Billy Jack and Willard off to the unsuspecting father-in-law with a $50,000 ransom demand. They return with the news; dad is scraping up the cash. Frank sends the no longer useful Willard packing. Chink shoots him for target practice. Brennan gets it. He and Doretta are good as dead. He tells her to be ready. She is – more than.

Frank rides off to claim the ransom. Brennan convinces Chink, Frank may abscond with it all. Chink follows. Brennan lets Billy Jack know Doretta missed out on her wedding night. Billy tries to make it up to her. Brennan shots him for indiscretion. Hearing the shot Chink returns in time to meet his own bullet.

Frank returns with the money to find Brennan in control. He surrenders his gun and the loot. Betting Brennan won’t shoot him in the back he steps up on his horse with a rifle in the saddle boot. You just don’t draw on Randolph Scott at the end of a western even if you have gun and travel. The guy shoots ropes for pity sake. OK, enough tongue in cheek for this week. Brennan and Doretta walk off, arms around each other to a happily ever after “good day”.

Next Week: Decision at Sundown
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Ride easy,
Paul