Lone Texas Ranger

That famous line from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance gets put to the test in Lone Texas Ranger from the Red Ryder series. After Wild Bill Elliott shoots sheriff Tom Chatterton it's Red Ryder who has to decide whether to keep the sheriff's sterling reputation or expose him as an integral part of the gang led by blacksmith Roy Barcroft.

Personally I think he made the wrong choice here. The town and especially the late sheriff's son Jack McClendon could stand a whiff of the truth. Elliott and McClendon nearly shoot it out because of the white lie Elliott.

I don't think that the yarn that Elliott spins is going into the official report to the Texas Rangers. At least I hope not.

Giving credit to Ransom Stoddard for shooting Liberty Valance is one thing. Ransom Stoddard was a good guy who did stand up to Valance. But preserving Chatterton's reputation I don't think he deserved his legend being kept intact.