Tall In The Saddle (1944)

A cowboy (John Wayne) arrives in the western town of Santa Inez to work as a foreman for the K.C. ranch. But he finds out that the owner of the ranch was murdered and the ranch inherited by his grandniece (Audrey Long). But there's a lot more to the mysterious cowboy than he's letting on. Based on the novel by Gordon Ray Young and directed by Edwin L. Marin (NOCTURNE). A minor entry in the John Wayne western canon but a solid one. It works as both a western and a mystery. When it comes to leading ladies, Wayne always worked better with a strong actress and here the underrated Ella Raines is a match for him. There are enough shootouts, chases and fist fights to satisfy the western fans but the movie is a bit more than that and should appeal to moviegoers who aren't particularly interested in westerns. Audiences liked it enough to make it a hit. With the annoying Gabby Hayes, Ward Bond, Elisabeth Risdon, Frank Puglia and Don Douglas.