Deputy Cannon's Fodder
Bo (J.D. Cannon) was part of a gang of payroll robbing outlaws, that is until when he was left for dead by the others. Eight years later and having not only lost one hand but served time in prison he is out and looking for revenge. When he guns down two men who are wrecking the saloon, one of which was one of his former partners, Marshal Crown (Stuart Whitman) is suspicious especially as he carries the paperwork of a deputy. But he hires him unaware that Bo has an ulterior movie.
I've lost track of the number of westerns I have watched but some where in my mind I have a faint memory of watching one involving a one armed convict masquerading as a lawman to get revenge on those who betrayed him. Maybe I haven't but when it comes to "The Deputy", which is technically episode 14 of 60s western series "Cimarron Strip" it ends up feeling familiar. That surprisingly isn't an issue as "The Deputy" ticks over nicely with a classic storyline of a man after revenge and unafraid to confront those he is looking to gain revenge on including his former girl who ended up marrying the man he holds responsible.
The key to why "The Deputy" works is down to the cast with J.D. Cannon bringing plenty of menace to the role of Bo and a whole lot of confidence. But then you also have the likes of Lyle Bettger who once again is scheming and conniving in the role of Tate who finds himself targeted by Bo. Plus of course there are the regulars with Percy Herbert having a bigger part to play this time around as Jim has to head out of town leaving him in charge of Bo.
What this all boils down to is that "The Deputy" is another enjoyable episode of "Cimarron Strip" with J.D. Cannon putting in a good turn as the dangerous Bo. But it is all quite familiar and I am sure I have seen a similar storyline worked in an earlier western.
