Masterson of Kansas (1954)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Nice effects though.

i must have seen a different film!!

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Although the friendship of Marshal Wyatt Earp and gunfighter/gambler Doc Holiday is frontier legend and the subject of several movies, Dodge City's other famous lawman Bat Masterson and Holiday did not have the same feelings. That is the premise on which Masterson Of Kansas is built around, although the two are forced into alliance by exigent circumstances.George Montgomery is in the title role and James Griffith plays Doc Holiday. The exigent circumstances are a threatened Indian war when John Maxwell who has worked for peace is accused of murdering the commanding officer at Fort Dodge on perjured testimony of David Bruce.It all doesn't smell right to Montgomery who finds proof enough in the Indian village of Jay Silverheels the Comanche chief. At least proof enough for him if not the white man's court. After that he's on a mission to clear Maxwell and maybe win his daughter's hand who is played by Nancy Gates. And if Montgomery and Griffith don't have enough to fight about the sight of Gates puts them both in heat. Bruce Cowling as Wyatt Earp has enough on his hands to keep these two from killing each other.Masterson Of Kansas is a nice no frills B western directed by William Castle in a straightforward style that does not portray his penchant for gimmicky horror films. Doc Holiday is always an interesting character and James Griffith joins a respectable pantheon of players who have played Holiday over the years like, Cesar Romero, Victor Mature, Jason Robards, Jr., Kirk Douglas, and Val Kilmer. Griffith yields to none of them.Fans of westerns and George Montgomery westerns will have little to complain about with Masterson Of Kansas.

This Western is close to the epitome of taking real historical figures and coming up with an entirely fictional story about them. While it's true that Bat, Wyatt, and Doc would have known each other in real life, there's nothing to suggest they would have teamed up in this kind of adventure. But it was no secret that Hollywood used their names along with a host of others to bring in the fans, so if you get beyond that, you at least have yourself a fine little time killer here.The basic story revolves around the arrest of Amos Merrick (John Maxwell), convicted of murdering an Army Colonel, and sentenced to hang in Hays City. As the story progresses, it's revealed that the sole witness lied under oath, since he wasn't even there when the event took place. Bat (George Montgomery) sets out after the stage carrying Merrick, forming an unlikely trio with Doc Holliday (James Griffith) and Merrick's daughter Amy (Nancy Gates). Just ahead of them is Wyatt Earp (Bruce Cowling), riding along with Merrick to make sure he gets to Hays City.The villains of the piece are headed by Charlie Fry (William Henry), who's interest lies in the choice grazing land that the local cattlemen would be forced to hand over to the Indians under a treaty negotiated by Merrick. Fry is an equal opportunity killer, and is willing to knock off anyone standing in his way, including lawmen and dance hall girls. The whole affair ends in a blazing showdown in the middle of Hays City, reminiscent of the Gunfight at the OK Corral, minus Virgil and Morgan Earp, and with the inclusion of Bat. It amazed me throughout the picture that the good guys could stand right out in the open firing away, taking out the outlaws hiding behind every manner of cover, and not get shot themselves.Interestingly, the picture adds a fanciful tale about the way Bat got his name. He tells Miss Amy that as a kid, he would practice his marksmanship by shooting at bats on the fly, and came to be known as 'the boy who shot the bats'. That was later shortened to Bat as the legend of his notoriety grew. Which would be quite the story if it wasn't made up for the picture. If you're a stickler for historical accuracy, this is just another thing that's bound to drive you batty.

Masterson of Kansas is one of the best of the series of westerns starring Montgomery. What helps the film a lot is the good choice of actors. Both Bruce Cowling and James Griffith are convincing as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Also the women, Nancy Gates, as the one who falls for Bat, and Jean Willes as the girlfriend of the man they are searching. The film starts with a showdown between Bat and Doc Holliday. Then the father of Nancy Gates gets arrested and will probably be hanged unless they can find Clay Bennet who testified against him, but really could not have done so because he was not there. There is not one dull moment as Masterson, Amy (Nancy Gates), and Wyatt go on their mission to free Amy's father. We also learn where the name Bat came from.

Even though the title is Masterson of Kansas, It's James Griffiths' Doc Holiday who's the most interesting character. His quiet, cultured manner radiates more deadliness than the generic Western manner of Montgomery's Masterson. Griffith was a good character actor who was worthy of better movies.The problem with the Masterson of this movie is that the real Masterson was a bit of a dandy (more like Gene Barry's TV version) whereas here he's no different than Wyatt Earp.Of the three 'good guys' Holiday, Masterson and Earp, Holdiay seems the most intelligent. Masterson knowingly takes on about 8 bad guys who are waiting for him and almost gets killed but for Holiday's intervention. Earp's attempt to face down a lynch mob lasts about 5 seconds when he gets knocked unconscious by a well thrown rock. That would never have happened to Burt Lancaster! Unfortunately for the viewer, the bad guys are not menacing enough and waste time with elaborate plotting. Makes you long for Lee Marvin or Leo Gordon.