Man In The Saddle (1951)

Although in love with a cattle rancher (Randolph Scott), an ambitious woman (Joan Leslie) marries a wealthy and powerful cattle baron (Alexander Knox). The situation worsens when the cattle baron attempts to push the rancher off his property and take it over. Based on the novel by Ernest Haycox and directed by Andre DeToth (HOUSE OF WAX). With a stronger screenplay, this could have been a provocative western. Instead, we get an average western that's not without interest. For me, the most interesting aspect of this western were the two women's roles. One woman (Leslie) who sacrifices love to marry a man who will elevate her socially and the other (Ellen Drew), an independent rancher who steps aside rather than declare her love to the man (Scott) who loves her best friend. As the menfolk shoot and kill, it's the women who will determine the outcome. With Cameron Mitchell, John Russell, Alfonso Bedoya and Tennessee Ernie Ford.