It was produced by the Mirisch Company, directed by Joseph M. Newman, co-written by Martin Goldsmith and Daniel B. Ullman and starred Joel McCrea as Bat Masterson.

A psychotic gunman named Dave Rudabaugh warns Bat that he shouldn't sell his pelts in Hays City.

The upright Ed complains that the County Sheriff Jim Regan is corrupt and destroys his efforts to clean up the town.

Ed is in love with Pauline Howard, the daughter of a church minister, but has delayed his marriage for unknown reasons.

In the meantime, Bat enters a partnership with Lily, the proprietress of the Lady Gay saloon who faces ruin as the Sheriff and his deputies are attempting to force them out of business by first murdering her original partner, then frightening off her croupiers.