Showdown at Shelby’s Shack (2019)

Megan Elisabeth Kelly is Nellie, a refined Easterner from a good family who falls for a cattle rancher.

Her parents oppose the union, so she elopes to marry Ben Harper and heads West.

It isn’t long before she realizes she’s made a mistake.

Her husband treats her more like a pretty trinket than a wife. And he reneges on his promise to help her start a school.

But the real trouble starts after he’s killed, meaning her fate is left in the hands of his cruel father Keg (Bill Capskas).

In addition to ranching, Keg has his hands in a shady mining operation and the slave trade of women and children.

And when Megan catches a glimpse of his top-secret map, he decides she’s a loose end that needs to be eliminated.

Nellie’s hope for survival rests in the hands of local lawman Austin Shelby and Marshal Clay Thorn, who’s been sent West by her parents to check on her welfare.

Plus one somewhat unlikely ally.

Megan Elisabeth Kelly as Nellie Harper, realizing her life is in jeopardy in Showdown at Shelby’s Shack (2019)

Zach Rose as Marshal Clayton Thorn, arriving in the town of Destiny to make sure Nellie is okay in Showdown at Shelby’s Shack (2019)

Review:

Earnest performances by the actresses playing the parts of Nellie and Liz Harper (Amy Violette) are about the only thing this low-budget Western has going for it.

Otherwise, expect overweight cowboys, wooden performances, some of the phoniest fight footage ever filmed and empty sets because of a dearth of extras.

Piss-poor cinematography certainly doesn’t help disguise those shortcomings.

What’s more, the two climatic showdowns don’t even take place at Shelby’s Shack.

Bill Capskas as Keg Harper, determined to make it rich off his secret mine in Showdown at Shelby’s Shack (2019)

Amy Violette as Liz Harper, questioning Keg about Nellie’s whereabouts in Showdown at Shelby’s Shack (2019)

Directed by:
Scott Hester

Cast:
Megan Elisabeth Kelly … Nellie Harper
Mike Gaba … Sheriff Austin Shelby
Zach Rose … Marshal Clayton Thorn
Bill Capskas … Keg Harper
Amy Violette … Liz Harper
Rich Henrich … Thomas Kendal
Barry Hazen … Jake
Tobiah Powell … Deputy Henry
Mark Edwards … Floyd

Runtime: 71 min.

Mike Gaba as Sheriff Austin Shelby, listening to Nellie Harper’s story in Showdown at Shelby’s Shack (2019)

Megan Elisabeth Kellyu as Nellie Harper, calling to the sheriff for help in Showdown at Shelby’s Shack (2019)

Memorable lines:

Nellie Harper: “I’m foolishly in love with him (Ben Harper) and he treats me like some trinket that’s to be left on the shelf until it’s noticed again.”

Liz Harper to Nellie: “Honey, you’re a fancy feather in his (Ben Harper’s) hat that he can show off to his friends.”

Keg Harper to his dead son: “Stupid kid. All these years we spent grooming you to sweet talk them politicians, negotiate contracts. And our mine is so close to that big score I can taste it. It don’t matter. Cause come hell or high water, I am going to squeeze every nugget out of that mine. Just too bad you’re not gonna be around to help spend it. Goodbye, son.”

Nurse: “No, marshal, you need to sit down. That medication hasn’t worn off yet. Just have a seat right here, marshal.”
Marshal Thorn ignores her.
Nurse: “Marshal, you can’t go yet. Not until the medication wears off. Marshal, you get back here.”
Thorn continues toward the door.
Nurse, smiling: “Marshal, you forgot your hat.”

Zach Rose as Marshal Clayton Thorn, shaking off an arm wound to fulfill a promise to Nellie’s parents in Showdown at Shelby’s Shack (2019)

Amy Violette as Liz Harper and Megan Elisabeth Kelly as Nellie take a stand in Showdown at Shelby’s Shack (2019)