Man rides into town like he owns the place. Not exactly making instant friends in the town of Powderville, Jason(Glen Ford)is not the kind to mince words, he knows human nature all too well, can judge people pretty well indeed. He's a ballbreaker and would've made a fine businessman if he'd been born many years later past the old west, because Jason immediately upon entering town, finagles a good saddle and horse from those who normally could swindle more vulnerable, trusting folks..yes, sir, Jason understands all too well how to handle himself against tricksters who take advantage.
Jason even provokes a fight with "the toughest man in the territory", Jumbo(Mickey Shaughnessy) to prove a point..he's bringing sheep within cattle country and anyone who has a problem with that will have to settle it with him. Well, the richest cattleman in the territory does have a problem with Jason, Colonel Jon(Leslie Nielsen)and he's got the town in his favor, and will do whatever it takes to run his adversary out of Powderville. Being a good judge of character is an asset for Jason as he faces opposition at every turn, only snookered by a woman to be married to the Colonel..the lovely, delightful, fiery red-head Shirley MacLaine(just glows in this movie and has marvelous chemistry with Ford who she spars with during their spirited encounters).
It's simple, Jason will not conform to the Colonel's demands, rebelling against competition because he's not gonna allow someone to order him away, he's just too stubborn. Intruding upon cattle land is certain to raise the ire of a community who doesn't have a fondness for a sea of sheep to be grazing all over the territory. When a clever ruse(a celebration by the town, welcoming Jason as a new member, as fishy as it does appear)temporarily puts Jason on a train out of town goes awry, the Colonel hires gunfighters to settle the score..one among them being responsible for the killing of Jason's fiancé during a bank robbery, the other two put in prison by him. One thing's for certain, when Ford gets those angry eyes, and you make him mad, your ass is grass.
If seeing Ford squaring off with future BONANZA alum Pernell Roberts in a gunfight isn't enough, western fans get to watch him in a showdown with NAKED GUN's Leslie Nielsen..how cool is that?! Good fun with hilarious support from Edgar Buchanan as Milt, a man who might sell his own mother if the price is right(although, as someone always with dollars on his mind, he does often warn Jason about possible set-ups and strange behavior) and Shaughnessy as Jumbo, the Colonel's stooge who is upended by Ford numerous times, an enjoyable foil/laughingstock, the movie plays to the hilt.
Jason even provokes a fight with "the toughest man in the territory", Jumbo(Mickey Shaughnessy) to prove a point..he's bringing sheep within cattle country and anyone who has a problem with that will have to settle it with him. Well, the richest cattleman in the territory does have a problem with Jason, Colonel Jon(Leslie Nielsen)and he's got the town in his favor, and will do whatever it takes to run his adversary out of Powderville. Being a good judge of character is an asset for Jason as he faces opposition at every turn, only snookered by a woman to be married to the Colonel..the lovely, delightful, fiery red-head Shirley MacLaine(just glows in this movie and has marvelous chemistry with Ford who she spars with during their spirited encounters).
It's simple, Jason will not conform to the Colonel's demands, rebelling against competition because he's not gonna allow someone to order him away, he's just too stubborn. Intruding upon cattle land is certain to raise the ire of a community who doesn't have a fondness for a sea of sheep to be grazing all over the territory. When a clever ruse(a celebration by the town, welcoming Jason as a new member, as fishy as it does appear)temporarily puts Jason on a train out of town goes awry, the Colonel hires gunfighters to settle the score..one among them being responsible for the killing of Jason's fiancé during a bank robbery, the other two put in prison by him. One thing's for certain, when Ford gets those angry eyes, and you make him mad, your ass is grass.
If seeing Ford squaring off with future BONANZA alum Pernell Roberts in a gunfight isn't enough, western fans get to watch him in a showdown with NAKED GUN's Leslie Nielsen..how cool is that?! Good fun with hilarious support from Edgar Buchanan as Milt, a man who might sell his own mother if the price is right(although, as someone always with dollars on his mind, he does often warn Jason about possible set-ups and strange behavior) and Shaughnessy as Jumbo, the Colonel's stooge who is upended by Ford numerous times, an enjoyable foil/laughingstock, the movie plays to the hilt.