Tennessee's Partner

Another winning collaboration between producer Benedict Bogeaus and director Allan Dwan, Tennessee's Partner is the third film version of the same-named Bret Harte story. The plotline is motivated by the curious friendship between slick gambler Tennessee (John Payne) and gunslinging Cowpoke (Ronald Reagan). Setting up shop in California gold-rush town, Tennessee spends most of his time getting Cowpoke out of trouble--specifically female trouble. The two friends fall out when Tennessee tries to prevent Cowpoke from falling for bewitching gold-digger Goldie (Colleen Gray), but Cowpoke proves to be true-blue when Tennessee is framed on a false murder rap. Rhonda Fleming costars as The Duchess, proprietress of the gambling establishment where Tennessee makes his headquarters. The film's best moment belongs to Colleen Gray, as she deftly switches allegiance from one man to another at fadeout time. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi