Dan Blocker, "Hoss" on TV's "Bonanza", didn't look like the heartthrobs of the day, but he garnered a loyal following because of his 'gentle giant' persona: he was amiable and heartfelt. In this upbeat western for NBC, practically no one in a one-horse town supports the big guy after his plans to start a community around the railroad falls through--all except one woman (Susan Clark), obviously a smart cookie. Blocker's blacksmith John Killibrew thinks a submerged steam engine can save the town, and hopefully redeem himself with the townsfolk, but first he has to persuade the locals and an Indian tribe. Clark has a likably spunky nature and gets a terrific scene near the end where she chastises the town for not believing in her man; but the low-budget film is only middling, with day-for-night shots that are an eyesore and a cartoonish score by Jack Marshall that telegraphs every emotion in advance. Don Taylor's direction is pedestrian, with sensitive scenes nearly undercut by slapstick nonsense and overacting by some of the supporting players, especially Tom Nolan as the town crier (he's ridiculously over-the-top). Dan Blocker, however, has a great way of bringing us right up-close to him--you can almost feel his warmth--and that's what makes a star. ** from ****