The town fathers of Honcho have a big problem — a half-breed gunman named Yubo (Robert Strauss) is determined to take over their town.
They put out a call for help, but no lawman seems interested in the job. None that is except young Jim Crayle (John Agar), who has always dreamed of following in the footsteps of his famous dad, Marshal Simon Crayle.
Jim lands the job and starts dispensing law and order. But he has two problems — a partly lame gun hand stemming from a childhood accident and residents who seem reluctant to help.
Then his dad (Barton MacLane) shows up, convinced that his son’s insistence on standing up to Yubo will be tantamount to suicide.
But Jim Crayle is convinced his future lies in Honcho. That’s partly because he’s fallen for pretty Peg Barton (Joyce Meadows).
John Agar as Jim Crayle, determined to become sheriff of Honcho in spite of an old injury that will make the job more dangerous in Frontier Gun (1958)
Robert Strauss as Yubo, the half-breed gunman who wants to control the town of Honcho in Frontier Gun (1958)
Review:
Proof that a low-budget Western doesn’t have to be a lame affair.
Snappy dialogue and convincing performances all around, even if Peg Barton does fall for Jim a mite too quickly.
Even John Agar, wooden as a log cabin in some of his Westerns, seems more animated than usual.
Lyn Thomas and James Griffith play the saloon girl and philosopher who are pretty much owned by Yubo.
Joyce Meadows as Peg Barton, finally finding a man she can love when Jim Crayle arrives in Frontier Gun (1958)
Barton MacLane as Simon Crayle, fearful that his son’s new job amounts to a suicide mission in Frontier Gun (1958)
Directed by:
Paul Landres
Cast:
John Agar … Sheriff Jim Crayle
Joyce Meadows … Peg Barton
Barton MacLane … Simon Crayle
Robert Strauss … Yubo
Lyn Thomas … Kate Durand
James Griffith … Cash Skelton
Morris Ankrum … Andrew Barton
Leslie Bradley … Rev. Hall
Doodies Weaver … Eph Loveman
Mike Ragan … Tanner
Tom Daly … Cowhand
Sammy Ogg …Virgil Barton
George Brand … Judge Ard Becker
Claire Du Brey … Bess Loveman
Dan White … Sam Kilgore
Runtime: 70 min.
John Agar (right) as Sheriff Jim Crayle with Andrew Barton (Morris Ankrum), the man who gave him the badge in Frontier Gun (1958)
Leslie Bradley as the Rev. Hall, pleading with his flock to back up Sheriff Crayle in Frontier Gun (1958)
Memorable lines:
Andrew Barton: “Face it, we’re in trouble. We ain’t got enough law in this town to haul in a drunken prairie dog.”
Peg Barton: “Father, I can hear you half way down the street.”
Andrew Barton: “Peg, this is an official meeting of the town council.”
Peg: “Then run it like a meeting, not a hog-calling contest.”
Kate Durand: “Yubo, you handle that gun like it was a woman.”
Yubo: “Lot more reliable.”
Lyn Thomas as Kate Durand, the oft abused saloon girl who fears Yubo’s temper in Frontier Gun (1958)
Robert Strauss as Yubo, trying to coerce barfly Cash Skelton (James Griffith) into doing his bidding in Frontier Gun (1958)
Peg Barton to Jim Crayle: “I really like you. Let me apologize properly.” Whereupon she kisses him.
Jim: “Ms. Barton, you tried to make a fool out of me in there. No you’re trying something else. Like a dance hall girl. Only they generally do it better.”
Peg: “What?”
Jim: “Kissing is something you have to do with feeling. Good night, Ms. Barton.”
Shopkeeper: “Now I guess you’ll be throwing the rest of your money away over at Yubo’s saloon.”
Rancher: “Throwing away? Not a chance. I’m buying necessaries — women and liquor and gambling.”
Yubo: “Are you telling me to get out of town?”
Jim Crayle: “You’ve got dirty ears, but you hear alright. This (saloon) would make a good town hall anyway.”
Peg Barton: “That’s all that counts? Your pig-headed notions?”
Jim Crayle: “They’re my notions.”
Jim Crayle, inspecting Peg’s gunshot wound: “It just grazed you.”
Peg Barton: “It’s deep enough for me, thank you.”
James Griffith as Cash Skelton trying to convince Kate Durand (Lyn Thomas) to leave town with him in Frontier Gun (1958)
John Agar as JIm Crayle, explaining to his dad (Barton MacLane) why his new job as sheriff of Honcho is so important in Frontier Gun (1958)
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