City of Bad Men

"City of Bad Men" is unusual in that although much of the film is fictional, the setting is quite real. In 1897, Carson City, Nevada, of all places, hosted the heavyweight boxing championship of the world! The story begins as the two boxers, Jim Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons are in training there in Nevada...readying themselves for this match.

In the midst of all the hubbub associated with the match, Brett Stanton (Dale Robertson) and his gang of thugs arrive. It seems Stanton is from Carson City but he and his men have been gone six years and they chose now to return. At the same time, two other gang leaders are in town and between the three gangs, there's no way the Sheriff and his men can maintain order. So, the Sheriff makes an odd proposal...that the three gang leaders be deputized to help him maintain order....which sounds rather nutty! What's next? See the film.

While I did find some of the plot tough to believe, particularly Stanton's actions and motivations, I did enjoy the film and the final confrontation with Ringo was pretty amazing...and exciting. Overall, however, I really liked the film for one big reason...it lacked most of the usual clichés you expect in westerns.