Deputy Marshal (1949)

Jon Hall is Ed Garry, a deputy marshal who heads to Tumult, Wyoming, in search of two outlaws — Colt Redwood and Jed Northey — who have settled down into at least slightly more respectable lives.

En route, Garry comes across a wounded man and helps him reach town. They’re resting in the local saloon when a shot rings out.

The wounded man is struck again and falls dead this time, but not before passing Garry an important document.

The town doc explains that it’s a map outlining the route the railroad is expected to take. It’s expected to run through property owned by Harvey Masters, the dead man.

Garry immediately suspects Joel Benton (Dick Foran), a leading rancher in the area, might have had something to do with Harvey Masters’ death. And might also be one of the men he’s seeking.

Meanwhile, the marshal encounters two pretty ladies — Joel Benton’s niece Janet Masters (Frances Langford) and Claire Benton (Julie Bishop). They wind up vying for the new marshal’s affections.

But the marshal’s first order of business is finding out who the outlaws really are, and figuring out whether either is really behind all of the killings; Janet’s dad was gunned down, too. One key clue: A rifle with a split butt.

Jon Hall as Ed Garry, realizing his map showing the railroad’s proposed route is missing in Deputy Marshal (1949)

Frances Langford as Janet Masters, singing “Levis, Plaid Shirts and Spurs” in Deputy Marshal (1949)

Review:

Lots of twists and turns and action — add rustling and a man-made avalanche to all the shootings — but it all adds up to an average, low-budget B Western.

The story is told flashback style by Doc Vinson, who lends a touch of humor to the proceedings. He’s not just the doc in Tumult, after all. He’s also the undertaker and, by the end of the film, a minister with a license to marry. So he figures he has all of the town’s residents as his customers at one point or another.

Jon Hall, who rose to fame in 1937’s “The Hurricane” was nearing the end of his film career when this low-budget Western was made. It might be most notable for the fact that second billing goes to Frances Langford, his wife for nearly 20 years. She spent time overseas with Bob Hope entertaining the troops with her singing during World War II and gets to sing two songs in this film — “Hideout in Hidden Valley” and “Levis, Plaid Shirts and Spurs.”

Julie Bishop as Claire Benton, deciding it’s time to take matters in her own hands in Deputy Marshal (1949)

Dick Foran as Joel Benton, watching Ed Garry duke it out with a saloon patron suspect in Deputy Marshal (1949)

Directed by:
William Berke

Cast:
Jon Hall … Ed Garry
Frances Langford … Janet Masters
Dick Foran … Joel Benton
Julie Bishop … Claire Benton
Joe Sawyer … Eli Cressett
Russell Hayden … Bill Masters
Clem Bevans … Doc Vinson
Wheaton Chambers … Harvey Masters
Forrest Taylor … Sheriff Lance
Mary Gordon … Mrs. Lance

Runtime: 60 min.

Russell Hayden as Bill Masters, checking a gun to see if it has a split stock like the one used in a killing in Deputy Marshal (1949)

Joe Sawyer as Eli Cressett, wondering if he’s on right side as the double crosses mount in Deputy Marshal (1949)

Memorable lines:

Doc Vinson, taking measurements of a man gunned down in the saloon: “He’s lucky. I’ve got one (a casket) in stock that’ll just fit him.”

Janet Masters, as she catches Ed Garry and Claire Benton kissing under a tree: “I hate to interrupt, but you happen to be on my property.”
Claire Benton: “Sorry, Janet. I didn’t see your brand on it.”

Garry to his horse, after the flareup between Janet Masters and Claire Benton: “Let that be a lesson to you. Never kiss a girl on another girl’s ranch.”

Claire Benton, to Ed Garry, who’s looking for a good meal: “The dining room’s closed, but there’s some bacon and eggs out in the kitchen. Would that interest you?”
Ed Garry, looking her over: “Anything you have interests me.”

Ed Garry: “Didn’t waste much time getting out (of jail), did you?”
Elis Cressett (aka Colt Redwood): “I’ve spent less time in better jails.”
Garry: “So I’ve heard. We’ll see if we can’t find you a place a little more restful.”

Jon Hall as Ed Masters, coming to the aid of a wounded Harvey Masters (Wheaton Chambers) in Deputy Marshal (1949)

Clem Bevans as Doc Vinson, a man of many talents and titles in Deputy Marshal (1949)

Jon Hall as Ed Garry, getting forceful with Claire Benton (Julie Bishop) in Deputy Marshal (1949)

Jon Hall as Deputy Marshal Ed Garry, looking for whomever just shot his companion through a saloon window in Deputy Marshal (1949)