AllMovie

Based on a Peter B. Kyne short story, The Final Assignment (which was also the film's alternate title), Fighting Coward features silent-screen star William Farnum as Jim Horton, a former prison inmate falsely accused of killing a district attorney. Although engaged to his boss' daughter Marie Russell (Joan Woodbury), police officer Bob Horton (Ray Walker) resigns from the force in order to clear his father's name. Before he can rescue Jim, who is under the influence of the vile Krane (Matthew Betz), Bob is himself accused of a crime, this time of taking a bribe. After a tip from jealous Detective Hendricks (Syd Saylor), Marie and her father trail Bob to Krane's hideout but are overpowered by Baker (Roger Williams), the villain's chief lieutenant. They are saved in the nick of time by Bob and Jim, the latter losing his life courageously taking a bullet meant for Russell.