Fighting Bill Fargo


57m 1942

Brief Synopsis

Bill Fargo returns from prison to find Scanlon controlling the town including the Sheriff and the editor. First Scanlon has the Sheriff's opposition in the upcoming election murdered. Then when the editor confesses to Bill, he has him killed with Bill's gun. But the editor set off Scoops' camera just as he was shot and then left a dying note. Scoop finds the note and the inept photographer tries to develop the picture.

Film Details

Also Known As
The Vigilantes
Genre
Action
Western
Release Date
Apr 17, 1942
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Universal Pictures Company, Inc.
Distribution Company
Universal Pictures Company, Inc.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
57m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
5,151ft (6 reels)

Synopsis

After being framed for murder and serving three years in prison, paroled Bill Fargo returns to his hometown of Buffalo Springs during its local elections. The honest people of the community are trying to oust incumbent Sheriff Hackett, who is little more than an extension of crooked businessman J. R. "Cash" Scanlon, the head of the Buffalo Springs Homestead and Development Company. Since the murder of Bill's father by Vic Savage, Scanlon's chief henchman, the family newspaper, The Buffalo Springs Independent , has been run by its half-owner, cowardly Clem Fillmore. Fillmore has become one of Scanlon's tools by allowing the newspaper to be used as a mouthpiece for Scanlon. Bill's arrival in town is hailed by his sister Julie and his old friend Scoop, who look for Bill to take his father's place as the moral leader of the community. Bill's first action is to support Tom Houston, the reform candidate for sheriff, who also has the sponsorship of the town's leading citizen, Judge Tyler. Houston, however, is soon killed in a rigged gunfight with Savage, and when Bill calls for a new reform candidate, Scanlon moves quickly to have Fillmore nominated. Scanlon then orders Savage to force Bill into a fight, knowing that the paroled man cannot legally fight back without being brought back to jail. When Bill beats Savage, the henchman pulls out his gun, but Julie kicks it out of his hand. As the townspeople have witnessed this clearly aggressive act, Hackett is forced to arrest Savage. Meanwhile, Fillmore is overwhelmed by guilt and confesses all to Bill. Before the truth can be told to the community, however, Scanlon releases Savage from jail in order to kill Fillmore secretly and frame Bill for the murder. Before Savage shoots Fillmore, however, the editor manages to take Savage's photograph. When Bill is blamed for the murder, he escapes into the hills. Hackett's re-election appears won until Judge Tyler announces his candidacy for the office. In the meantime, Scoop finds a note that Fillmore wrote just before he died, instructing him to develop the film, which confirms Savage's guilt. Bill then returns to town and puts out a special election edition of the Independent , organizing a march on city hall just as Scanlon attempts to close the polls early. Realizing they have lost, Scanlon and Savage try to escape, but Bill manages to kill the hired gun and capture his boss. With the truth finally known by all, Bill is exonerated of all charges and is once again free to court his sweetheart, Judge Tyler's daughter Linda.

Film Details

Also Known As
The Vigilantes
Genre
Action
Western
Release Date
Apr 17, 1942
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Universal Pictures Company, Inc.
Distribution Company
Universal Pictures Company, Inc.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
57m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
5,151ft (6 reels)

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

The working title of this film was The Vigilantes. While copyright records refer to Fuzzy Knight's character as "Gabby," and contemporary reviews and CBCS refer to him as "Grubby," he is called "Scoop" in the film. Modern sources include Tex Palmer, Harry Tenbrook, Kermit Maynard, Blackie Whiteford and Merrill McCormack in the cast.