Cow Country
A ranch worker becomes entangled in a conflict between an honorable rancher and violent land thieves. In 1875, the collapse of the world beef market creates hardships for Texas cattle growers. In Garn…
Cow Country
A ranch worker becomes entangled in a conflict between an honorable rancher and violent land thieves. In 1875, the collapse of the world beef market creates hardships for Texas cattle growers. In Garnet Basin, many cattlemen are forced to sell their cattle for low prices. Processed in rendering plants, they're only used for their hides, fats and oils, tallow for soap and fertilizers. Without sufficient funds, many ranchers face foreclosures on their lands. Greedy local banker Marvin Parker (Barton MacLane) refuses to extend the mortgage payments or make any new loans to ranchers. He hopes to force the ranchers to sell their lands for cheap to him. In cahoots with Parker are Caddo Sledge (Robert J. Wilke), the owner of a cattle rendering plant and womanizing rancher Harry Odell (Robert Lowery). Odell is engaged to Linda Garnet (Helen Westcott), daughter of rancher Walt Garnet (Robert Barrat), but he is secretly romancing Melba Sykes (Peggie Castle), daughter of Tim Sykes (Rory Mallinson) . Against the scheming trio of Parker, Sledge and Odell is Ben Anthony (Edmond O'Brien), former cattleman, who is the owner of the local freight and stagecoach line. A war of sorts ensues between Ben Anthony and the crooked trio. When the army announces an upcoming purchase of beef from the area, the cattlemen sense that a solution to their problem is near and that ranches, cattle businesses and lands soon could be saved. These news prompt the criminal trio of Parker, Sledge and Odell to intensify their campaign of intimidation, cattle rustling and destruction, culminating in raids against Ben Anthony's freight line and murder of all those witnesses who could identify them as the culprits. The climax sees Ben Anthony in a gunfight against Sledge and Parker while a fugitive Odell is tracked by local rancher Fritz Warner (James Millican). —nufs68 In 1875, Ben Anthony (Edmond O'Brien) runs a freight line in Texas. He disappointed cattleman Walt Garnet (Robert Barrat) by not going into that business. Walt's beautiful daughter Linda (Helen Westcott) returns to town after a long absence and Ben still carries a torch for her, but she's now involved with another man, Harry Odell (Robert Lowery). The cattle business is in trouble. Beef prices have dropped so low, cattle companies are being urged to sell their stock to a rendering plant. Ben tries to intervene, and eventually learns that banker Parker (Barton MacLane) is colluding with Odell and the plant's owner, Sledge (Robert J. Wilke), to gain control of the ranchers' valuable land. They also get into the cattle-rustling business to put further pressure on ranchers. Melba Sykes (Peggie Castle) and her father Tim (Rory Mallinson) are squatting on Walt's ranch. It turns out that Odell is not only hiding his business schemes from Linda but also the fact that he's been romancing Melba behind her back. Her father catches them, and insists on an engagement, to which he agrees, even though he is already engaged to Linda. When Tim Sykes tries to protect his house from being torn down, he is killed by Smoky. When Sledge produces a bill of sale from the man, Ben knows it's been forged because Tim did not know how to write. Melba boasts to Linda that her "fiancé" Odell will look out for her interest now. Linda realizes she's been betrayed and turns to Ben for solace and advice. Melba becomes furious when Odell breaks off their relationship and snaps a bullwhip at him. After Melba buries her father, Fritz proposes to her, and she accepts. Ben leaves on a business trip to secure an Army contract. While gone, Parker's henchmen murder several freight employees and destroy freight wagons and merchandise. When they hear about the Army contract which will invigorate the valley's cattle business, they plan a desperate plan to rustle cattle and use dynamite. In the meantime, Ben sets up a trap to clean up the criminals. A showdown then ensues in a box canyon, where Parker and Sledge are planning to destroy the cattle they have rustled. Ben gets there in time to shoot them both. He is wounded himself, but will survive. Odell is confronted by Fritz who tries to arrest him. Odell reaches for a gun and Fritz shoots him dead. In the final scene, Linda is shown kissing Ben.
Cow Country
Drama,Western
Film Details
A ranch worker becomes entangled in a conflict between an honorable rancher and violent land thieves. In 1875, the collapse of the world beef market creates hardships for Texas cattle growers. In Garnet Basin, many cattlemen are forced to sell their cattle for low prices.
Processed in rendering plants, they're only used for their hides, fats and oils, tallow for soap and fertilizers. Without sufficient funds, many ranchers face foreclosures on their lands. Greedy local banker Marvin Parker (Barton MacLane) refuses to extend the mortgage payments or make any new loans to ranchers.
He hopes to force the ranchers to sell their lands for cheap to him. In cahoots with Parker are Caddo Sledge (Robert J. Wilke), the owner of a cattle rendering plant and womanizing rancher Harry Odell (Robert Lowery).
Odell is engaged to Linda Garnet (Helen Westcott), daughter of rancher Walt Garnet (Robert Barrat), but he is secretly romancing Melba Sykes (Peggie Castle), daughter of Tim Sykes (Rory Mallinson) . Against the scheming trio of Parker, Sledge and Odell is Ben Anthony (Edmond O'Brien), former cattleman, who is the owner of the local freight and stagecoach line. A war of sorts ensues between Ben Anthony and the crooked trio.
When the army announces an upcoming purchase of beef from the area, the cattlemen sense that a solution to their problem is near and that ranches, cattle businesses and lands soon could be saved. These news prompt the criminal trio of Parker, Sledge and Odell to intensify their campaign of intimidation, cattle rustling and destruction, culminating in raids against Ben Anthony's freight line and murder of all those witnesses who could identify them as the culprits. The climax sees Ben Anthony in a gunfight against Sledge and Parker while a fugitive Odell is tracked by local rancher Fritz Warner (James Millican).
—nufs68 In 1875, Ben Anthony (Edmond O'Brien) runs a freight line in Texas. He disappointed cattleman Walt Garnet (Robert Barrat) by not going into that business. Walt's beautiful daughter Linda (Helen Westcott) returns to town after a long absence and Ben still carries a torch for her, but she's now involved with another man, Harry Odell (Robert Lowery).
The cattle business is in trouble. Beef prices have dropped so low, cattle companies are being urged to sell their stock to a rendering plant. Ben tries to intervene, and eventually learns that banker Parker (Barton MacLane) is colluding with Odell and the plant's owner, Sledge (Robert J.
Wilke), to gain control of the ranchers' valuable land. They also get into the cattle-rustling business to put further pressure on ranchers. Melba Sykes (Peggie Castle) and her father Tim (Rory Mallinson) are squatting on Walt's ranch.
It turns out that Odell is not only hiding his business schemes from Linda but also the fact that he's been romancing Melba behind her back. Her father catches them, and insists on an engagement, to which he agrees, even though he is already engaged to Linda. When Tim Sykes tries to protect his house from being torn down, he is killed by Smoky.
When Sledge produces a bill of sale from the man, Ben knows it's been forged because Tim did not know how to write. Melba boasts to Linda that her "fiancé" Odell will look out for her interest now. Linda realizes she's been betrayed and turns to Ben for solace and advice.
Melba becomes furious when Odell breaks off their relationship and snaps a bullwhip at him. After Melba buries her father, Fritz proposes to her, and she accepts. Ben leaves on a business trip to secure an Army contract.
While gone, Parker's henchmen murder several freight employees and destroy freight wagons and merchandise. When they hear about the Army contract which will invigorate the valley's cattle business, they plan a desperate plan to rustle cattle and use dynamite. In the meantime, Ben sets up a trap to clean up the criminals.
A showdown then ensues in a box canyon, where Parker and Sledge are planning to destroy the cattle they have rustled. Ben gets there in time to shoot them both. He is wounded himself, but will survive.
Odell is confronted by Fritz who tries to arrest him. Odell reaches for a gun and Fritz shoots him dead. In the final scene, Linda is shown kissing Ben..