# Cattle Town

Cattle Town is a 1952 American Western film directed by Noel M. Smith and written by Thomas W. Blackburn. The film stars Dennis Morgan, Philip Carey, Amanda Blake, Rita Moreno, Paul Picerni and Ray Teal. The film was released by Warner Bros. on September 6, 1952.

## Plot

Mike McGann is sent by a government official in Texas to help rich rancher Judd Hastings get squatters off his land. When he arrives, he realizes Hastings is actually running everyone out of the region and illegally seizing their cattle. After coming to rancher Ben Curran's rescue, Mike vows to help others get their property back. Marian Hastings begins to realize that her father is in the wrong, particularly after learning he plans a stampede to disrupt Mike and the others. Marian, thrown from her horse and knocked unconscious, is in grave danger. Hastings tries to save his daughter and is killed. She and Mike decide to run the Hastings ranch together.

## Production

Studio chief Jack L. Warner wanted to terminate star Dennis Morgan's expensive contract. Morgan had been starring in elaborate musicals and comedies, and Warner now cast Morgan in an inexpensive western to be produced by Bryan Foy, an old hand at low-budget Warner productions. Warner also brought back Noel Smith, a fast-and-cheap director from the silent-film days, remembered as a specialist in reckless and dangerous action scenes. Warner was certain that Morgan would refuse the assignment and break the contract, but Morgan reported for work as scheduled and made the film for Smith.

## Reception

Cattle Town was never intended to be an important picture and critical comment reflected that. Motion Picture Daily gave it good marks anyway: "A husky western that develops along formula lines but contains an ample amount of fighting and some vocalizing by Dennis Morgan, this picture stacks up fairly well for its type." The Exhibitor was less indulgent: "A routine western in every sense, this doesn't have much that hasn't been seen before. This is formula on a low budget." Least enthusiastic was Film Bulletin: "This Bryan Foy western for Warners has little to recommend it. Made on a minor league budget, it gives little indication that it is a product of a major studio. A fair amount of action will get it by in theaters where westerns are in demand, but elsewhere Cattle Town rates only the lower slot on dual bills. It's definitely not for better class houses.
Exhibitor comment was mixed. "A good western type picture, well balanced with action, comedy, and music. Did a fair weekend business." "Did poor business on this one." One report echoed Jack Warner's original intention to drive Morgan out of pictures with a hack movie: "Poor western. Dennis Morgan is just about washed up. The story, acting, and direction are all second rate, and the action fans will be disappointed, as there isn't very much action. Morgan bursts into song at the drop of a gun, and makes the story more ridiculous."

## Cast

* Dennis Morgan as Mike McGann
* Philip Carey as Ben Curran
* Amanda Blake as Marian Hastings
* Rita Moreno as Queli
* Paul Picerni as Pepe
* Ray Teal as Judd Hastings
* Jay Novello as Felipe Rojas
* George O'Hanlon as Shiloh
* Robert J. Wilke as Keeno
* Sheb Wooley as Miller
* Charles Meredith as Texas Governor
* Merv Griffin as Joe