The upbeat revolver man Reb Randall (Guy Mitchell) rides in singing on top of his pony to the Californian town, Limbo County. The name of the town furthers the audience’s idea of the fantasy in which this story is taking place.  Nonetheless, Reb comes just in time for a barbeque that the town celebrates each time there is a funeral after a shooting.  Reb, being an outsider, seems to cause an itch in the trigger finger of the townsfolk, as they inquire about his reason for visiting this small town.  The representative for the townsfolk is Jason Carberry (Jack Carson) with whom Reb gets on the wrong side.  Eventually, when enough testosterone has flown Reb reveals that he is seeking the killer of the man in whose honor they are holding the barbeque.

The people of Limbo County respect Reb’s motive for visiting the town, as he simply tries to uphold the Code of the West. T he Code of the West simply follows the tradition of an eye for an eye, which the film spoofs each time someone mentions the Code.  This barbaric and uncivilized approach breeches the civilized laws, as the recently arrived Judge Winthrop (Reginald Owen) tries to prevent this bloodshed.  However, the Judge discovers that he faces much resistance within the small town, as they are looking forward to another barbeque.  While searching for the killer Reb gets into a fist fight through which he befriends the charming gunslinger Rafael Moreno (Gene Barry).

Like in many Westerns, there has to be a love story incorporated, and Red Garters is no exception.  Reb meets a woman, Susana (Pat Crowley), who is in Jason Carberry’s protection, as he has raised her like his own daughter.  There is also Calaveras Kate (Rosemary Clooney) with whom Reb talks to a lot, whom also is Jason’s proclaimed girlfriend.  This causes additional friction between Reb and Jason, which could lead to more flying lead.  The question is if love can save them all from personal feuds, rage, and death.

Red Garters tells a perky tale of small town boredom, blood thirst, and love.  The colorful mise-en-scene and the bloodthirsty undertones in the theme create a bizarrely pleasant atmosphere.  The song and music in the film does not deliver any memorable tunes, but pulls the audience along the storyline.  The exiting notion that comes to mind is if love is worth living for while death only offers further pain and agony.  Thus, life should be more loving and less violent.

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COUNTRY

USA

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