Movie Monday Review: Ride Clear of Diablo

Ride Clear of Diablo (1954)

Starring: Audie Murphy, Susan Cabot, Dan Duryea, Abbe Lane, Russell Johnson, Denver Pyle, Paul Birch, Jack Elam, and William Pullen

Summary

When Clay O’Mara (Audie Murphy) discovers that his father and brother have been killed by cattle rustlers, he decides to return home from Colorado, after working the railroad up there. He asks the local minister, Reverend Moorehead (Denver Pyle), what he should do. There is not much to suggest from the minister’s point of view, but to return to Colorado. Wanting to make things right, he seeks out Sheriff Kenyon (Paul Birch) and the O’Mara Lawyer, Meredith (William Pullen) to seek help. He meets the lovely niece of Sheriff Kenyon, Laurie (Susan Cabot) and is quite taken with her, until he realizes she’s engaged to his family lawyer.

After talking with Kenyon and Meredith, they recommend he return to Colorado and leave this to rest, because it isn’t likely they’ll find the rustlers. Clay decides this isn’t right and determines to take action, but he wants the right action. He asks the Sheriff to appoint him deputy. Reluctantly, Sheriff Kenyon agrees and tells him a “possible” suspect is the crazy gunfighter, Whitey Kincade (Dan Duryea) who has never been brought in by any officer.

Sheriff Kenyon and Meredith are the real rustlers and are hoping to get rid of Clay before he finds out anything. They hope that by sending a green kid to get Kincade, Clay will be killed and they won’t have to worry about it. Clay rides to Diablo in search of Kincade. When Laurie finds out about this, she is angry that they would let Clay go on alone to get an experienced gunfighter, but they tell her it’s pointless to argue.

Arriving there, Clay waits in the saloon, drinking a cool glass of water, much to the surprise of the bartender. Local rancher and otherwise suspicious guy, Tim Lowerie (Jack Elam), confronts Clay and laughs at his attempt to arrest Kincade. Clay doesn’t flinch, but waits.

Soon, Kincade arrives. He laughs at the small kid who is there to arrest him. Clay tells him to remove his gun, Kincade begins and is about to pull a fast one, but Clay outdraws the gunfighter. Everyone is stunned and Clay takes Kincade back to town, despite Kincade’s best efforts to stop him.

Sheriff Kenyon and Meredith call upon their henchman and available false witness, Jed Ringer (Russell Johnson). He verifies that Kincade was “innocent” and they release him. Clay believes this to be a lie, but nonetheless, escorts Kincade back.

Having proven himself an able deputy, he is now called upon to do many things by the Sheriff. However, every time, it happens to be against the roughest guys around. Nevertheless, Clay survives and is successful, but hasn’t been able to determine the true rustlers.

When Ringer tries to pull a double-cross on Sheriff Kenyon and Meredith, they stick Clay on him as the one who rustled his family’s cattle. However, at this point, Kincade has started to like Clay and decides to help him. He starts ratting on the Sheriff and Lawyer team and soon the puzzle pieces begin to fit together.

Laurie doesn’t want him to continue. They are now engaged to be married and she wants to return to Colorado with him, where they can have a calmer life. He tells her he must stay, because wrong has happened. She understands and waits.

In an effort to help Clay get Ringer, Kincade gets killed when he saves Clay and kills Kenyon. Leaving Clay to have the final showdown against Lowerie and Meredith. He is warned that Kenyon, Meredith, and Lowerie are waiting for him outside. Carefully and precisely, Clay gets Kenyon and Lowerie, leaving a very dusty fist-fight with Meredith. Clay has finished the job he set out to do.

Off to Colorado, back to the railroad, but this time with a wife. Mr. and Mrs. O’Mara.

Review

A great Audie Murphy Western, showing his great acting and cowboy skills. The story has many benefits to it that are different from your average western. Although, Audie wants to avenge his family’s death and the theft of property, he wants to do it legally. He has no interest in simply gunning down the guilty party, but finds a way to get them with the law and in a just manner.

In many westerns, the leading lady usually is angry with her man for wanting to finish his goal, to right things. However, in this, Susan Cabot plays the part well of a worried woman who wishes Audie wouldn’t go out, but when he explains himself, she understands and supports him. Very refreshing to come from a western of this kind.

The mysterious theme that plays throughout the movie is emphasized well by Abbe Lane in the beginning, but then helps the storyline to flow nicely as the story unfolds.

An enjoyable western for everyone with the essential elements!

Ellen Nolan