Western Heritage

Western Heritage is a 1948 American Western film directed by Wallace Grissell. The film is a Tim Holt B Western about land robbers and forgers in the southwest.

Although based on an original screenplay the film features Chito Rafferty from RKO's earlier Zane Grey series.

Plot
In the Old West, ex-convict Joe Powell shows his girlfriend, Cleo Raymond, a forged Spanish land grant in his wallet. Corrupt promotor Clyde Arnold and his henchmen, Trigg McCord and Pike Haskins, attack Powell. Rancher Ross Daggett and his pal, Chito Rafferty, find Powell mortally wounded, who tells them to give his wallet to Cleo. Arnold and his men attack again, seizing both the wallet and Powell’s body. Arnold, now posing as Powell, takes the land grant to Judge Winston and his niece, Beth, to confirm its validity. Judge Winston goes to Santa Fe and returns, telling Arnold the grant is good, triggering Arnold to use the grant to evict landowners. As Trigg and Pike dispose of Powell’s body, Ross and Chito intervene killing Pike. They relay their suspicions to Judge Winston who confirms with Cleo that Powell’s land grant was forged. Realizing he could be exposed, Arnold leads his gang to intercept the stagecoach carrying Cleo and Judge Winston. Ross intervenes and a gunfight ensues. Chito brings a posse which scatters the gang. Ross subdues Arnold, and retrieves the forged land grant, which reveals Arnold’s true identity.

Ross, Beth, Chito and Cleo ride off together with Chito telling Cleo and Beth that he and Ross are rich enough to marry.

Cast

 * Tim Holt as Ross Daggert
 * Richard Martin as Chito Rafferty
 * Nan Leslie as Beth Winston
 * Lois Andrews as Cleo Raymond
 * Tony Barrett as Henchman Trigg McCord
 * Walter Reed as Joe Powell, forger
 * Harry Woods as Arnold, fake Joe Powell
 * Tom Keene as Saloon owner Spade Thorne
 * Jason Robards, Sr. as Judge Henry C. Winston
 * Robert Bray as Henchman Pike
 * Perc Launders as Sheriff Claibourne

Reception
The film recorded a loss of $5,000.