Despite good location photography at Lone Pine, CA, Republic's patented "Trucolor" system, and an above-average cast, Brimstone remains a B-Western at heart, albeit one with pretensions. The final proof of cost-cutting comes midway through the film, when saloon proprietor Charles Cane proudly displays his newest accoutrements: a rather grand chandelier. Anyone who has ever seen a Western knows what comes next, but the destruction of the priceless lighting fixture is done offstage and with sound effects, Republic Pictures obviously loath to ruin an eminently reusable prop. Joseph Kane, meanwhile, directs with his usual forthrightness and the cast attacks the story with spirit and verve, with Walter Brennan the standout as the main villain, who, for once, provides a reason for his wrongdoing: the ruination of the free range.
by Hans J. Wollstein
review
