Deadwood

DEADWOOD ‘76-1965-Cheapo western featuring the unique un-talents of Arch Hall Jr. In the town of Deadwood folks are getting ready for a confrontation between Billy the Kid and Wild Bill Hickok. Out in the desert a guy named Billy May (Hall Jr.) saves cat seller Tennessee (Jack Lester), from some Indians. When they get to Deadwood, Billy kills two outlaws and everybody thinks he’s Billy the Kid. Saloon owners Porker Kate (Liz Renay) and Fancy Poggin (David Reed with a terrible fake mustache) take bets. Later he and Tennessee partner in a gold mine. While working it Billy is captured by some local Indians. At their reservation, Billy meets his father Boone (his real life dad Arch Sr. using the pseudonym William Watters) who he thought was dead. His old man is a Confederate loony who's still fighting the Civil War and wants to use The Sioux to defeat The Yankees and reestablish the Confederacy (he sounds like a neo-nazi). 

Billy’s against it. He leaves even though an Indian maiden Little Bird (La Donna Cottier) likes him. After Billy leaves the tribe, he goes back to his stake but can't find Tennessee. Little Bird follows him but he sends her away. She's later beaten and raped by two jerks. Billy meets up with Tennessee who’s struck pay dirt. Billy finds the rapists and kills them. Later Wild Bill Hickok (Robert Dix) arrives for his showdown but Billy denies being the infamous outlaw and Wild Bill believes him. Their showdown doesn't happen, much to the chagrin of the town. After Billy kills a 15 year old who draws on him the whole town turns against him. Tennessee and Little Bird ride to the reservation and Dad and some of the tribe go to save Billy but they are too late. Billy is hanged and they even kill the preacher who tried to save him. It’s amazing how Arch can get that huge out of place head of hair under an ordinary cowboy hat! Harvey B. Dunn (BRIDE OF THE MONSTER) appears in an un-billed role as a bartender. 

Director James Landis (who co-wrote the screenplay with Arch Sr.) had previously directed Arch Jr. in the incredible THE SADIST and the forgettable THE NASTY RABBIT but this low budget western isn't much. It was Arch Jr.'s last role for many many years.

Thanks for reading!