Tennessee's Partner

An intriguing friendship forged between high-stakes gambler Tennessee (John Payne) and quick draw Cowpoke (Ronald Reagan) is tested when temptress gold-digger Goldie (Colleen Gray) bewitches Cowpoke into marrying him. Meanwhile, Tennessee has been maintaining an uneasy relationship with The Duchess (Rhonda Fleming), madame of a gambling establishment which serves as smokescreen to the bordello she operates. In the end, Cowpoke proves to be true-blue when Tennessee is framed on a false rap.

Allan Dwan's adaptation of a story by Bret Harte, one of his favorite writers, stars John Payne as Tennessee. Tennessee, a professional gambler has done well in the wagering establishment of "Dutchess" Farnham (Rhonda Fleming), but when gold prospector Clifford (John Mansfield) accuses him of cheating, and pulls a gun on him, Cowpoke (Ronald Reagan), a stranger, kills the man. Dutchess gets Tennessee and Cowpoke released from jail, explaining the defensive nature of the shooting, and the two men become friends. However when he learns that Cowpoke's newly arrived fiance is Goldie Slater (Coleen Gray), a thief who was one of his former flames, he's nonplussed. He decides to save his friend from the marriage by persuading Goldie to leave Cowpoke and run away with him to San Francisco, where he unburdens her of the $5,000 that Cowpoke has given her. Cowpoke, who's turned to gold-prospecting, vows to kill Tennessee if he ever sees him again. When the gambler returns, Cowpoke beats the hell out of him before Tennessee can give him the money, but extends his apologies when he learns the full story. Well-made little western, with Payne giving one of his best performances.

Adventure | Buddies | Theatrical Release