''Bullet Code'' is a 1940 American

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US * Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that i ...

film directed by David Howard and starring George O'Brien,

Virginia Vale Virginia Vale (born Dorothy Howe, May 20, 1920 – September 14, 2006) was an American film actress. She starred in a number of B-movie westerns but took a variety of other roles as well, notably in ''Blonde Comet'' (1941), in which she playe ...

and

Slim Whitaker Charles Orbie "Slim" Whitaker (July 29, 1893 – June 27, 1960) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 340 films between 1914 and 1949. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and died in Los Angeles, California, from a heart a ...

. The screenplay was written by

Doris Schroeder Doris Schroeder (February 7, 1893 – January 4, 1981) was an American screenwriter and publicity woman. Biography Born in New York, Doris was the daughter of Edward Schroeder and Phoebe Kent. She attended Brooklyn Girls High School befor ...

from a story by

Bennett Cohen Bennett Cohen (August 28, 1890 – June 10, 1964) was an American screenwriter and director. He wrote for more than 180 films between 1915 and 1953. He also directed 17 films between 1925 and 1934. He was born in Trinidad, Colorado and die ...

Plot

In the

Old West The American frontier, also known as the Old West or the Wild West, encompasses the geography, history, folklore, and culture associated with the forward wave of American expansion in mainland North America that began with European colonial ...

, cowhand Bud Matthews, who works for rancher Steve Holden, is in cahoots with Cass Barton and his gang to rustle Holden's cattle. Matthews has a change of heart and tries to warn Holden and his cowhands of the ambush, but is shot during the melee. Steve thinks he shot Bud accidentally. Before he dies, Bud confesses his past to Steve and also the location of his family's ranch. Steve and his pal, Pop Norton, head toward the Matthews' ranch and meet John Matthews and his daughter, Molly. Banker Sam Gorman wants to buy out Matthews because the Matthews land is the only stretch along the Mexican border that is not regularly patrolled by the authorities (allowing for more frequent cattle rustling). Gorman has hired men to threaten Matthews' cowhands, causing them to quit. Hired as cowhands by the Matthews, Steve and Pop are invited to their ranch for dinner, but subdue a couple of Gorman's men attempting to ambush them along the way. Cass Barton arrives and is hired by Gorman to infiltrate the Matthews ranch. Barton and Scar Atwood pose as drifters and are hired by Matthews as cowhands. Barton recognizes Steve from the earlier ambush. Barton discloses to Gorman that Steve is helping Matthews, and Gorman offers to pay Barton extra if he takes care of Steve too. Steve walks in on Barton making a pass at Molly and a fight ensues. Matthews arrives and as Steve is explaining what happened, Scar recognizes a photograph of Bud and tells the Matthews that Steve killed him. The Matthews dismiss Steve and Pop. Barton discloses to Scar that his bullet actually killed Bud. Steve and Pop ride to Gorman's office and overhear the conversation Gorman has with Barton and Scar confirming their conspiracy against Matthews. Barton shoots Scar after Scar threatens to blackmail him over his shooting Bud. Though Scar's wounds are not fatal, the doctor tells him they are in order to extract a confession. Scar confesses to Steve, with the sheriff present, that Barton killed Bud during their unsuccessful ambush and that Gorman and Barton are in cahoots against the Matthews. Gorman, with Barton and his gang in tow, tries to force Matthews to sell. Steve and Pop appear and convince the Matthews of Scar's confession. A gunfight ensues. The sheriff and his posse arrive and chase off the gang. In the melee, Barton shoots Pop. Steve pursues Barton and subdues him. Steve returns to the Matthews' ranch where Pop is recovering from his wounds. Pop hands a harmonica to John Matthews who begins playing ''

Here Comes the Bride Here Comes the Bride may refer to: Music * Bridal Chorus, the standard march played for the bride's entrance at some weddings * ''Here Comes the Bride'' (album), a 1999 album by Spin Doctors Film and television * ''Here Comes the Bride'' (1919 fil ...

'' as Steve and Molly take a walk.

Cast

* George O'Brien as Steve Holden *

as Molly Matthews *

as Pop Norton *

Howard Hickman Howard Charles Hickman (February 9, 1880 – December 31, 1949) was an American actor, director and writer. He was an accomplished stage leading man, who entered films through the auspices of producer Thomas H. Ince. Career In 1900, Hickman ...

as John Matthews * Harry Woods as Cass Barton *

William Haade William Haade (March 2, 1903 – November 15, 1966) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 250 films between 1937 and 1957. He was born in New York City and died in Los Angeles, California. Haade was a construction boss until ...

as Scar Atwood * Walter Miller as Sam Gorman * Kirby Grant as Bud Matthews (as Robert Stanton) *

Spade Cooley Donnell Clyde "Spade" Cooley (December 17, 1910 – November 23, 1969) was an American convicted murderer and former Western swing musician, big band leader, actor, and television personality. In 1961 he was arrested and convicted for the ...

as Fiddler (uncredited) *

Billy Franey William Gerald Franey (June 23, 1889 – December 6, 1940) was an American film actor. Born in Chicago in 1889, Franey appeared in more than 400 films between 1914 and 1941, mostly playing comedic roles. He was an actor of disheveled appea ...

as Old Bathing Gent (uncredited) * Robert McKenzie as Doctor (uncredited)

References

External links

* * 1940 films 1940 Western (genre) films American Western (genre) films Films directed by David Howard RKO Pictures films Films produced by Bert Gilroy American black-and-white films Films scored by Paul Sawtell 1940s American films {{1940s-Western-film-stub