Although Larry "Buster" Crabbe earns top billing, the hero of Drift Fence is former Western star Tom Keene as Jim Travis, who, at a rodeo, meets city dweller Jim Traft, who has come west to erect a fence that will prevent Clay Jackson from continuing his cattle rustling business. A tough Western type, Travis suggests that he impersonate Traft and the building of the fence soon begins. But Travis is opposed by Slinger Dunn and his family, whose small ranch will suffer from the division of the land. A romance between Travis and Slinger's sister, Paula, paves the way for a meeting of the minds, however, and Slinger switches sides completely upon learning that Travis is a Texas Ranger in disguise.
When a rancher's prized stallion goes missing, he suspects a neighboring rancher of rustling. As tensions escalate between the two, a young cowboy named Tex Ritter finds himself caught in the middle. He must uncover the truth behind the missing horse and expose the real culprits before a violent range war erupts.
Drift Fence is a typical B-Western of its era, offering straightforward action and familiar plotlines. While not critically acclaimed, it served its purpose as an entertaining Saturday matinee feature for fans of the genre and its star, Tex Ritter.
Google audience: Audience reception for this early Western is largely unrecorded in modern digital platforms. However, historical context suggests it was likely appreciated by fans of Tex Ritter and the classic Western genre for its uncomplicated storytelling and action.
George 'Gabby' Hayes, who plays a significant supporting role, was a veteran actor known for his colorful and often comedic characters in Westerns, becoming one of the genre's most recognizable supporting players.
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