Bandits of the West (1953)
Marshal Rocky Lane learns of a plan to obstruct the promotion of natural gas in his town.
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Rocky's penultimate series western and, indeed, one of the very last B westerns to be released.By 1953, television was looming large and even the injection of some quirky and original story lines into the Republic product was not enough to save the day.The plot here revolves around the introduction of gas lighting into a typical western town and the different reactions of those most affected. To some, it is a thing of beauty to be cherished: to others, it is the work of the devil. Unsurprisingly, black-hearted Roy Barcroft is in neither camp: he sees it only as a means of destroying those seeking to inhibit his villainy. Lucky, indeed, that Marshal Rocky is on hand to put a stop to his nefarious schemes.Otherwise, it's business as usual with the obligatory chases, punch-ups and shoot outs from a more than adequate cast. Lane, Waller and Barcroft, in particular, are always good value for money. But, having said that, there are moments when there is a distinct lack of urgency and even these stalwarts appear to be simply going through the motions.Perhaps they knew that the end of the trail was just around the next corner.....