by Mark Deming
synopsis
Noted Western director Budd Boetticher helmed this contemporary cowboy story. Tom Moody (John Lund) is a champion rodeo rider who sees real potential in newcomer Bart Eaton (Scott Brady). However, while Bart may have a knack for riding a bull, he's not much for loyalty, and he betrays his mentor by stealing Tom's girlfriend, Judy Bream (Joyce Holden). Tom wallows in self-pity until the death of his buddy Dan Bream (Chill Wills), a rodeo clown, forces him to rethink his life. For added realism, Boetticher incorporated genuine Western footage alongside staged sequences with his actors.
characteristics
- Romantic Betrayal
- Rodeo
- Mentor
- Sports
- Sweetheart
- Love
- Girlfriend
- Champion
- Buffoon
- Clown
- Conflict
- Excitement