Law And Order (1953)

The Marshal (Ronald Reagan) of Tombstone turns his badge in after the town shows their true colors and demands vigilante justice rather than law and order. This is just fine with his fiancee (Dorothy Malone) who wants him out of the law business. But when he buys a ranch in a different town, he tries to stay out of the lawless town and mind his own business. But can he? Based on the novel SAINT JOHNSON by W.R. Burnett and directed by Nathan Juran (7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD). This is actually the third version of the Burnett novel, it was previously filmed in 1932 and 1940. I've not seen the prior versions so I can't comment on them but this one isn't half bad at all. It's tight and economical in its hour and 20 minute running time until it runs out of steam at the very end. Reagan is decent enough but Malone is wasted. Only Preston Foster as the town's most corrupt citizen manages to create a memorable character. With Alex Nicol, Dennis Weaver, Russell Johnson, Jack Kelly, Don Gordon, Barry Kelley and Ruth Hampton.