Stagecoach Kid

After building his fortune in San Francisco, millionaire Peter Arnold (Thurston Hall) is heading to his ranch to retire, taking with him his daughter Jessie (Jeff Donnell) who wants to go back to San Francisco. But it seems that Arnold's ranch foreman, Thatcher (Joe Sawyer) has been lining his own pockets whilst running the ranch and knows that when Arnold discovers the truth the good times will be over. It is why Thatcher has a couple of men attack the stagecoach which Arnold and Jessie are travelling on but are thwarted by Dave (Tim Holt) and Chito (Richard Martin). When the same two henchmen rob another stagecoach Dave and Chito find themselves going after the stolen gold whilst Dave has to deal with Jessie who after masquerading as a cowboy finds herself falling for Dave.

It's a Tim Holt western but cutie Jeff Donnell steals the scene with her comic timing. She plays the daughter of a rich man who wants to return to San Francisco- there's some humorous lines, an air of lightness amidst the usual sagebrush action. It has shades of "It happened one night" and it's quite surprising that Chico didn't get the gal in the end. It's strange that Chico is meant to be girl crazy but he didn't figure out that "Jesse James" is Jeff Donnell! But Tim Holt knew all along. It's a thoroughly fun western with a grand location. One of Tom Holt's best.