Yankee Fakir

The basics: official is killed and visiting traveling salesman helps uncover murderer.

Douglas Fowley, who usually played villains or sidekicks, is the hero here, minus his usual mustache. He's half of a traveling show that's visiting a small town. Fowley's "hustler" persona is used to good advantage here, but, he stays honest all the way through, even trying to prevent the sale of "snake oil remedy" that his partner hustles when ever Fowley's back is turned.

Fowley becomes interested in Woodbury, who runs the boarding house he's staying in. When her uncle is murdered, Fowley tries to help to uncover the killer.

A fair who-done-it with a western background. Fowley makes a good hero, but was really perfect as a slimy villain type. He just had that voice and sneer that made you dislike him, and want justice to prevail.

The rest of the cast fit their roles, and Bevans as the aged prospector who helps Fowley is wonderful in his role. He is kind of "comic relief", and a hoot in this role. Of course, he was always great in the "cantankerous" character role.

Not a great, or memorable movie, and not a terrible one. A fair "B" effort. Having Fowley as the hero is interesting. Worth a watch for that element.