Cheyenne (1947)

A gambler (Dennis Morgan) on the run accepts a deal from a Wells Fargo agent (Barton MacLane). His freedom in exchange for capturing a notorious bandit called The Poet. Directed by Raoul Walsh (WHITE HEAT). Walsh has directed some genuine classics but he's also directed a lot of "director for hire" movies, too while under contract to Warners. This modestly entertaining western is on the routine side, nothing memorable about it whatsoever yet entertaining enough to merit one's attention should you come across it. Walsh had directed many westerns with major stars like Clark Gable, Robert Mitchum, Errol Flynn, Joel McCrea etc. but here he has to make do with the affable but generic Dennis Morgan. Walsh fares better with his two leading actresses, Jane Wyman and Janis Paige. Wyman had been under contract to Warners since 1940 but they rarely gave her interesting roles. She proved her acting chops outside of Warners with THE LOST WEEKEND (1945) at Paramount and THE YEARLING at MGM (which got her an Oscar nomination). The next year, Warners gave her JOHNNY BELINDA and she moved up to the A list (winning an Oscar didn't hurt). Western fans should find enough to enjoy here but it's not original enough to make it noteworthy. With Arthur Kennedy, Bruce Bennett and Alan Hale Sr.