Masterson Of Kansas (1954)

Bat Masterson (George Montgomery), the sheriff of Dodge City, is asked by his friend Wyatt Earp (Bruce Cowling) to intercede for a man (John Maxwell) accused of murder. When the man is convicted by a court of law, it's a race against time to find proof of his innocence before his hanging. Directed by William Castle (HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL), this routine B western is hampered by a lazy screenplay and a lackluster performance by Montgomery in the title role. Montgomery barks his way through the movie which leaves James Griffith as Doc Holliday to take over the movie. Griffith brings some layers of complexity (well, as much as one can to a poverty programmer like this) and is by far the most interesting character in the film. Otherwise, we're left with a wimpy Wyatt Earp and an inept cavalry that can't even protect a prisoner from vigilantes. With Nancy Gates, Jean Willes, David Bruce and Jay Silverheels.