Thunder Over The Plains (1953)

Andre de Toth did a bunch of these low-to-medium budget early 50s Westerns—often with Randolph Scott. In general they're all pretty good for what they are: decently made and acted (and Randolph Scott's always a bonus), but slightly limited by the script. I get the feeling that Andre de Toth always did as well as the material he was given allowed – some films, like Day of the Outlaw, really are classics, while the majority are entertaining but a bit forgettable in the grand scheme of things. Thunder Over The Plains falls slightly into the latter category.

Randolph Scott is a cavalry officer who is uncomfortable with his role protecting carpetbaggers in post-civil war Texas. His wife (Phyllis Kirk) feels isolated in Texas. Newly arrived cavalry Lex Barker puts some moves on Scott's wife. The carpetbaggers frame the local Robin Hood-type-figure for a murder they committed, and thus Scott has to capture the innocent man.

I have some reservations about the historical accuracy: nothing I've seen suggests Texas was a focal-point for carpetbaggers, and certainly not to the extent shown here. That said, it provides an entertaining story, and Scott's conflicted loyalties about his position are well-played and nicely understated. His wife has much less to do, and her involvement is largely over after Lex Barker's pass (which we never really believe she'll go for). It seems like her character could have been a lot more interesting.

The version I saw was on TV, and looked OK. A similar looking US DVD also exists I believe.