Marshal Frame Johnson (Reagan) was "hired to keep the peace in Tombstone, not kill people." So, when an angry mob tries to lynch an outlaw without a trial, Frame realizes that he has no place in a town that doesn't want justice. Hoping to finally settle down with his sweetheart, Jeannie (Dorothy Malone), Frame moves to Cottonwood with his brothers, Lute and Jimmy, where they build a ranch. When a rash of cattle rustling threatens to drive out the decent townsfolk, and the local judge suspects that the sheriff is just as corrupt as the thieves, he appeals to Frame for help. Frame declines, but Lute accepts the badge in his place. When Lute is killed, and Jimmy is framed for murder, Frame realizes that only he must stop the corruption and restore law and order in Cottonwood or no one else will be safe.