this be a modest and unassuming traditional western with a formulaic plot about opposition between rancher and crop farmer around the town of liberal and kansa . the story be essentially routine and feature a number of the classic western conflict . there be the farmer versus the cattleman while there be the clash between cultivate land and civilize tendency on the one hand and the wilderness or frontier ethos on the other and what this represent ultimately be the opposition of two value system democratic and community value a set against rugged individualism . randolph scott play legendary lawman bat masterton who rid into liberal at behest of a land agent ( robert ryan ) to help him sort out the bad guy who be the hard drinking and brawl cattleman . the two men quarrel but reunite to tackle the troublesome element in the town . the script be clichéd but the action be propel along with vigour by director ray enright and there be solid performance all round . in addition to rugged performance by the male lead there be comic relief supply by george gabby hayes and an oily villain nicely play by steve brodie and attractive contribution from maggie meredith a a prim and proper easterner woo by ryan and anne jeffreys a a saloon singer as long a you do not place a premium on originality this be good sturdy entertainment for western lover .