Tall Man Riding (1955)

Seven years after being driven out of town by a cattle baron (Robert Barrat), a cowboy (Randolph Scott) returns to get his revenge. But he's not the only one who wants revenge on the cattle baron. Based on the novel by Norman A. Fox and directed by Lesley Selander (FLIGHT TO MARS). A routine second string western that's watchable even if it pretty much contains the usual western cliches. The following year Scott would embark on a series of classic westerns partnering with Budd Boetticher that put a programmer like this in the shade. Typical of westerns, there's the "good" girl (Dorothy Malone) and the "bad" girl (Peggie Castle as a saloon singer) so we know who Scott will end up with. Unusual for a western though, the women are best friends rather than rivals. Scott's hero is flawed which makes him more interesting than the usual western cowboy. He's stubborn, unreasonable and makes mistakes. With William Ching, John Baragrey, Paul Richards and John Dehner.