The Cowboy from Sundown
The drought-plagued ranchers of Sundown have to market their cattle at a loss in order to meet mortgage payments held by banker Cylus Cuttler. Then, Sheriff Tex Rockett is forced to quarantine all the cattle on the local ranches because of a hoof-and-mouth disease outbreak. Steve Davis herds his cattle to the railhead anyway, and Tex is forced to arrest him. Urged on by the banker's son, Nick Cuttler, the angry ranchers storm the jail, but Steve's sister Bee persuades them to await the trial. Steve, with Nick's help, breaks jail and is told he must kill Tex to aid the ranchers. Meanwhile, government man Bret Stockton and Tex see Nick and his men treating cattle in an unusual way. Tex finally proves that the Cuttlers have been treating the cattle with acid to give a false impression of the hoof-and-mouth disease.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young rancher, Steve Ramsey, inherits a ranch and plans to improve it, but discovers it's burdened by a heavy debt. He must contend with rustlers and greedy land speculators who want to drive him out. With the help of his loyal friends and the local sheriff, Steve fights to save his ranch and bring the criminals to justice. The film follows his struggle to overcome these obstacles and secure his future.
Critical Reception
As a B-Western from 1940, 'The Cowboy from Sundown' received modest attention, typical for its genre. It was generally seen as a competent, if unremarkable, entry in the Western landscape of the era, appealing to audiences who enjoyed straightforward cowboy adventures.
What Reviewers Say
- Offers a standard, action-packed Western plot.
- Features solid performances from its lead actors.
- Satisfies fans of classic, low-budget cowboy films.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Cowboy from Sundown' is not extensively documented through modern platforms. However, its style suggests it was appreciated by fans of traditional Westerns who enjoyed straightforward narratives and familiar genre tropes.
Fun Fact
Charles Starrett, the lead actor, was a popular singing cowboy and appeared in over 100 films, often portraying the heroic character 'The Durango Kid' in later productions.
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