Randolph Scott (Chris) is out to avenge the man responsible for the death of his fiancée. He has a description of the man responsible and so his search begins. That man is George Macready (Miles) who is now living as top dog in the town of Coroner Creek. Scott arrives and plays a tactical game.The problem with the film is the path that Scott pursues to take his revenge. I'm all for a bit of revenge - it can be very satisfying. Why doesn't he just get on with what he came for instead of namby-pambying around with psychological warfare. He gets involved with too many people. Henchman Forrest Tucker (Ernie) gives him a good fight but there is no way Scott would have defeated him with the use of only one arm. Unrealistic nonsense. So, the film loses a point. I also found Macready an unconvincing bad guy - he's too angelic looking.It is filmed in colour which makes a change for 1948 but the process only seems to have brought out oranges and greens. Everything is orange, browny-orange, orangey-brown and green. The film is ok to watch but I was a little disappointed and it includes a far-fetched ending with dodgy shooting that ties everything up conveniently. I'm off to but a new orangey-brown outfit but not sure what colour it will go with. I'll try green.

My grandfather took my dad to the movies whenever a Randolph Scott western was shown, and no doubt they would have certainly enjoyed this one. This is a first-class Randolph Scott film, a western picture based on a Luke Short novel, and a good introduction for anyone interested in Scott's career and western films of the 1940s. Randolph Scott plays a character hell-bent on revenge in Coroner Creek, seeking justice for the death of his fiancé. This solid, riveting picture, has all the elements of a gripping western based on revenge, with the added storyline of the typical power-hungry, manipulating ranch boss. George McCready's performance is compelling, as he plays the cut-throat ranch owner with savagery, hidden behind a civil mask. Forrest Tucker and Randolph Scott have an extremely vicious fight in this film, that is very surprising for a western of the 1940s. Randolph Scott is strong and steady with his performance. Edgar Buchanan, Marguerite Chapman, Sally Eilers all help to round-out this story that has some twists and turns in the plot. A synopsis does not give this intriguing, underrated film adequate justice.

With his square-jawed determination, Scott (Danning) makes a riveting screen presence. So, by golly, he's going to get whoever is responsible for his fiancé's death and nothing's going to stand in his way. Not even the comely Chapman (Kate) or the Big Guy in the Sky. But he's got a tough bunch to deal with, especially blond bruiser Tucker (Ernie), who would rather grind hands than seeds. That fist-fight with Danning may be a stretch, but it's sure imaginative. Then there's that arch baddie Macready (Miles) and veteran sneer merchant Douglas Fowley (Stew). So Danning's got his work cut out for him. You gotta love those red rock Sedona AZ locations. They turn up in so many horse operas of the time. Speaking of turning up and lending color—yes indeed, there he is, old gravel- voiced grouch Edgar Buchanan as the sheriff. No western of the day worth its salt was without his particular brand of character color. And, guys, there's not just the usual one good-looking woman in the movie. There're three, so which one will Scott end up with.Can't help noticing that Harry Joe Brown produced this film along with Scott's later The Tall T (1957). Then too, the plot here is similar to many of the Scott-Buddy Boetticher classics of a decade later. But then, Scott was so good at grim determination, it's hard not to make him a revenge-seeker. Anyway, better than most six-gun directors, Enright knows where to put the camera, helping to make this one of Scott's more memorable westerns that even non-fans may enjoy.

Stalwart western hero Randolph Scott is at his stalwart best in "Coroner Creek" - and it wasn't directed by the overrated Budd Boetticher. Scott is a man of action as he attempts to avenge the killing of his fiancée at the hands of George MacReady in one of his most villainous roles. As mentioned, the emphasis is on action; the exasperating Boetticher often put one of Hollywood's best cowboy stars in complex psychological situations while forgoing Scott's long suit.In "Coroner Creek", Scott is surrounded by three women who manage to slow down the story by their presence; Marguerite Chapman as a moralizing hotel owner, Sally Eilers as a widowed ranch owner, and Barbara Read as Macready's dipso wife. But the storyline is so good that you can overlook these interruptions and await his next confrontation with baddies. There are gunfights and fistfights enough to satisfy the most avid action fan, including a left-handed fist fight with Forrest Tucker (you'll have to watch it for more info). I liked this one enough to rate it an eight.