The Judge (1960 film)

The Judge is a 1960 American Western film directed by Fred Windholz and starring Betsy Palmer, Ford Rainey, and Mike Keene. The film tells the story of a newly appointed circuit judge facing corruption and injustice in a frontier town.

The plot revolves around Judge Clayborne (Ford Rainey), a stern but fair-minded jurist sent to clean up the town of Mesa. He quickly encounters a web of deceit and bribery orchestrated by local cattle baron Ben Carter (John Napier) and his henchmen. The judge's arrival disrupts the established order and he faces intense pressure from both sides: those who want to maintain the corrupt status quo and those yearning for justice. Betsy Palmer plays Ellie Masters, a woman caught between loyalty to her family and her growing admiration for the judge's integrity. The film explores themes of justice, morality, and the challenges of enforcing law and order in the Wild West. The judge's unwavering dedication to his principles puts him in danger, culminating in a climactic showdown where he must confront the forces of corruption.