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A somewhat fictionalized account of the Gunfight at O.K. Corral
and the events that led to it, with all the names changed - consequently
Wyatt Earp has become Frame "Saint" Johnson (Walter Huston), Doc
Holliday is now Ed Brandt (Harry Carey), and the Clantons are called the
Northrups (Ralph Ince, Harry Woods, Richard Alexander). Frame Johnson is
tired of being a lawman - and one of the best there is -, he wants to
settle down and lead a peaceful life, nothing more ... but his brothers
(Russell Hopton, Raymond Hatton) and his companion Ed Brandt persuade him
to go to Tombstone instead, to have some fun and do some gambling - and
Brandt is a passionate gambler. In Tombstone, Fin Elder (Alphonse
Ethier) has just been elected sheriff in a rigged election set up by the
Northrup-brothers who want to take over the town. This soon leads to sad
results, as crime and murder - if sanctioned by the Northrups - soon
flourishes in Tombstone. Frame Johnson is disgusted, but does nothing to
interfere. Then though he is persuaded by the honest citizens of the town
led by the judge (Russell Simpson) to become deputy marshal and bring law
and order back to Tombstone. These honest citizens promise to support
Johnson all the way ... Johnson and company of course have the expected
runins with the Northrups, which all end pretty much in a draw, then
though Johnson manages to win the respects of the Tombstonians when he
saves a murderer (Andy Devine) from a lynch mob - only to have him legally
executed later. This certainly turns the tide in his favour, but with his
next action, Johnson seems to go too far, he forces all of Tomstone to
give up their firearms, takes them off the locals at gunpoint if
necessary. One of Johnson's brothers even has to shoot one of the
Northrups dead because he doesn't want to let go of his weapon. Now the
locals don't like this sort of treatment, and their dislike is only
fuelled by the Northrups. Even the judge, who has promised support all the
way thinks about turning against Johnson. Then Johnson agrees that he and
his companions will give up their firearms as well. Bad move, because this
night, an unarmed Ed Brandt is lured into an ambush by the Northrups and
killed. Overcome by anger and grief, Frame Johnson gives up his badge,
arms himself again, and challenges the Northrups to a showdown, the
legendary gunfight at O.K. Corral ... Frame Johnson emerges from it
victorious, with all the Northrups and their helpers dead ... but also his
two brothers have died in the gunbattle. He moves on, knowing there will
always be another town that needs law and order like Tombstone, and every
other town will mean nothing but more losses and the like ... A
pretty well-written Western that amidst genre-typical blazing guns and
everything manages to deliver a pacifist message (including anti-gun
propaganda). Add to this nice central performances by Walter Huston, who
really manages to bring the grief his character feels across, and the
always dependable Harry Carey, plus a very competent, tight direction, and
you've got yourself a pretty good Western, and probably Edward L.Cahn's
best movie - even if the guy was still at the beginning of his career
which would also include directing Little Rascals-shorts and
1950's sci fi-schlock.
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