Post-Tombstone, Doc Holliday (Tom Zembrod) has opened a saloon in a small town out West where he also runs a faro game.
One day, in walks Edward Bailey (Christopher Corson), seemingly intent on losing more money to Doc.
But this time around, the drunk Bailey enjoys a winning streak.
Until the end of the game, when he makes “a dead bet,” meaning he automatically loses.
Edward accuses Doc of cheating. Tempers flare. Guns are drawn.
And Doc Holliday winds up on trial for murder in front of Judge Parker and facing a prosecutor named Runyon (Walker Haynes) who seems hellbent on piercing the myth of Doc Holliday.
Worlds better than the first film in Brett Bentman’s “Doc Holliday” triology, mainly because cast and crew execute a plot that doesn’t call for a big budget.
The cast is limited. There are only two primary sets — the courtroom / jail and Doc’s saloon. And there’s no attempt at a large-scale action scene.
Tom Zembrod, barely bearable in the first film, comes off much better this time around. Heck, he’s even funny on occasion. Though by the end of the film, the Doc Holliday as loveable drunk routine wears a bit thin.
The improvement is mainly because of the thrice-told-tale device Western fans will likely remember from “The Outrage,” the 1964 Western starring Paul Newman.
The prosecutor and judge hear three versions of what occurred in Doc’s saloon that fateful night. And the versions differ dramatically based on the witness.
Directed by:
Brett Bentman
Cast:
Tom Zembrod … Doc Holliday
Walker Haynes … Leonard Runyon
Tiffany McDonald … Georgia
Christopher Corson … Edward Bailey
Wes Gillum … Billy West
Suzanne Racz … Carleen
Blaine Hall … Wyatt Earp
Larry Landaker … Judge Parker
Runtime: 74 min.
Memorable lines:
Doc Holliday: “You know what they say about men who claim to know it all. They love to stir the pot, but never lick from the spoon.”
Georgia, the barkeeper to the drunk Doc: “Let’s get your on your feet and get you inside before the sheriff comes.”
Doc Holliday: “Oh, the sheriff’s coming. That’s always fun.”
Billy West, testifying against Doc Holliday: “You had every chance in the world to prove to be the hero we all thought you to be. Instead, we gt this version of you.”
Prosecutor Runyon: “The murderer.”