The Hired Gun

In the Old West, Ellen Beldon (Anne Francis) is about to be hanged in Texas for the cold-blooded murder of her husband. Her uncle's ranch foreman, Judd Farrow (Chuck Connors), masquerading as a priest, breaks her out of jail and escorts Ellen to a safe hideout at her uncle's ranch in New Mexico. Her uncle Nathan Conroy (Robert Burton) has enough influence to block extradition of Ellen back to Texas. Her father-in-law, Mace Beldon (John Litel), determined to avenge the killing of his son, hires gunman Gil McCord (Rory Calhoun) for $5,000 to track down Ellen and bring her back to Texas. Gil hires on as a cowhand and then kidnaps Ellen and they head back to Texas. On the way, Farrow intercepts them and is killed by Gil. The pair also survive an ambush by Indians. Ellen explains to Gil that her husband was murdered by his step-brother, Kell Beldon (Vince Edwards), who wants to be sole heir to their father's money and land; and, a man named Elby Kirby (Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams) witnessed the killing. Gil tracks down Kirby and forces him to admit what he knows. Kell confronts Gil and is killed in a shootout. Gil and Ellen ride out of town together.