San Francisco Story (1952)

Set in 1856 San Francisco, a miner (Joel McCrea, looking rather tired and showing his age) rides into town for some fun and recreation and gets involved with a shady lady (Yvonne De Carlo) who's working with a corrupt politician (Sidney Blackmer, ROSEMARY'S BABY). Based on the novel VIGILANTE by Richard Summers and directed by Robert Parrish (IN THE FRENCH STYLE). A routine, rather unimaginative western but with a few touches that temporarily lift it out of the ordinary like a showdown on a beach with the gunfighters on horseback and a waterfront atmosphere that rings authentic. Two performances stand out too. Blackmer makes for a cold hearted villain with an acid wit and Florence Bates as a one eyed white slaver (she shanghais drunks and sells them to ships) and who has the film's biggest laugh line.  With Onslow Stevens, John Doucette and Richard Erdman.