The film begins in 1881. Bill Barker (Harry Carey) arrives in New York City from the old west. He makes all sorts of claims and claims to be a big man...whereas in reality he's a con-man. Well, his play for suckers doesn't work and he's forced to return west. But even in Texas, he's known as a phoney and no-goodnick so he heads to the less developed land of Arizona Territory. There he is able to convince the dopey locals that he's a stand-up guy and they elect him mayor...and he appoints himself judge. Soon he is abusing the law for his own gain...mcuh like the legendary Judge Roy Bean, who he is no doubt modeled after in the story.
The acting by Carey is pretty good. As for the script, well, it's full of lots of cliches and not a single likable character. This is tough, as the film kind of pushes Bill on us like he is some sort of hero...though clearly he's not. As a result, I found the message very confusing and cliched.
The acting by Carey is pretty good. As for the script, well, it's full of lots of cliches and not a single likable character. This is tough, as the film kind of pushes Bill on us like he is some sort of hero...though clearly he's not. As a result, I found the message very confusing and cliched.