The Law of the 45's

This film begins with a British geologist by the name of "Sir Henry Sheffield" (Broderick O'Farrell) being sent by a wealthy patron to negotiate the purchase of some land in the American west with a small-town attorney named "Gordon Rontell" (Ted Adams). Although things go quite smooth at first, once Sheffield tells him more of the details, Rontell has him kidnapped not too long afterward and forces him to sign a power of attorney which authorizes him to withdraw large amounts of money from the local bank. At the same time, he dispatches some hired thugs to burn down the houses and terrorize the people on those lands into eventually selling their property over to him--all while pretending to be outraged over these attacks. What he doesn't count on, however, is the sudden arrival of two cowboys named "Tucson Smith" (Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams) and "Stoney Martin" (Al St. John) who have befriended one of his intended victims by the name of "Charlie Hayden" (Lafe McKee) who is determined to reveal the identity of the person financing these murderous raids. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an okay film which, because of the obvious limitations of the film industry at the time, might require the viewer to make certain allowances. And while the picture quality, sound and editing aren't necessarily that good, it does have the distinction of being the first film to debut the character of Tucson Smith who eventually became a member of the acclaimed "Three Mesquiteers" from Republic Pictures grade-B movie fame. Be that as it may, while this is certainly not a great Western by any means, I suppose it passed the time well enough, and I have rated it accordingly. Average.