According to IMDB, Hoot Gibson was perpetually in financial straits, as he seemed to spend money as soon as he earned it. As a result, he often took on any project. "The Marshal's Daughter" is clearly 'any project', as Hoot is clearly well past his prime...looking old and puffy instead of heroic. He is, after all, in his 60s...and he clearly looks it. Sadly, he's not even the star of this film...and he's there to clearly support Laurie Anders who plays the title character. As for Anders, she's kind of cute and sings and dances (not so cute)...but she hardly has the chops to be a leading lady in this sort of picture. After all, a western is supposed to be tough...and she just comes off as cute and a bit out of her league.
The plots involves the Marshal and his daughter seeking out the murderer of an orphan's grandfather as well as a local baddie who is trying to take over....and using the 'cattleman's association' to do so.
Seeing and hearing Laurie Anders do ventriloquism in the film, in addition to all her singing and dancing, made my skin crawl. To be fair, she was NOT the first to do this...as Tex Terhune made MANY films along with his ventriloquist dummy...but that ALSO made my skin crawl. But at least in Terhune's case, he starred in films where he was just one of a trio of good guys...and the other two helped balance this. But with Anders, the film is all about her and it seems as if producer Ken Murray is trying to show off her many, many skills...even if they aren't appropriate to the film...which they weren't. So instead of a watchable B-western, it's more a talent show featuring just Anders. Tough to watch...impossible to enjoy.
