A moustachioed Gregory Peck is the renowned, but now reformed, gunslinger "Ringo" who rides into his hometown hoping to meet up with his old flame "Peggy" (Helen Westcott) and his young son - whom he has yet to actually meet! The locals are less than enthusiastic at his arrival - especially the prudish elder women, but then neither is "Peggy" nor the fair-minded sheriff (Milllard Mitchell). Indeed, once news of his arrival spreads he becomes a magnet for people keen to have a pop at this legend. The most irritating of them proves to be "Bromley" (Skip Homeier) and with tensions rising we wonder just how long "Ringo" can use his wits instead of his guns. Karl Malden is quite good as the barman who shares quite a bit of the accruing danger and as Henry King keeps us interested for just shy of ninety minutes, we are taken on a trip that gradually and effectively builds the sense of imminent peril. Peck is on good form and Homeier also rather good as the youth with the scent of blood and fame in his nostrils. It's quite sparingly scripted; well scored by Alfred Newman and paced slowly but deliberately as we think we know what's bound to happen - but will it?
