Prairie Law (1940)

In the untamed frontier of the wild west, cattleman Brill Austin finds his tranquility disturbed by the arrival of hopeful farmers, lured into the arid territory by the smooth-talking Judge Ben Curry. Austin, understanding the futility of farming in these barren lands, generously allows the settlers to draw water from his springs, though he knows it won't suffice to irrigate crops or sustain livestock. Judge Curry, a sly land promoter, has falsely promised the settlers an abundance of water if they dig wells, a lie well-known to the locals. The devious judge has an accomplice in the form of town butcher Pete Gore, and together, they weave a web of deceit and manipulation. Among the settlers are ex-lawyer Franklin Brambull and his children, Priscilla and Larry. Seeing the potential to exploit Brambull's legal acumen, Curry appoints him as the prosecuting attorney for Olympia City, pitting him against the interests of the cattlemen. In a sinister plot, Gore's men, including the wayward Larry, steal and butcher Austin's cattle right on his property, skillfully avoiding any trace. Sheriff Jim Austin, Brill's uncle, confronts Gore, only to be found murdered in Gore's shop, a butcher's knife lodged in his heart. Gore, backed by Curry, claims self-defense, leading to a hastily arranged election by Curry to shift the county seat to Olympia City, where he manipulates the trial and secures Gore's acquittal. However, Austin, having recognized Brambull's distaste for Curry's deceitful tactics, entreats him to seek the Governor's intervention. The Governor declares the election illegal and orders Gore's trial in Prairie Rose, the true county seat. This leads to a tumultuous showdown between Curry's men and Brill, Brambull, and the ranchers. As the gavel is set to fall in Prairie Rose, blood is sure to stain the prairie's dusty earth in the fight for justice.

Prairie Law is a western movie featuring George O’Brien.

Prairie Law is currently streaming on DIRECTV and TCM.