Undercover Man: Watching Johnny Mack Brown Do His Thing

If you're looking for something to put on while you fold laundry or just want to see some old-school western justice, Undercover Man does the job just fine. You probably won't find anything life-changing here, but if you like cowboys, guys with fake mustaches, and horses that seem to have more personality than half the supporting cast, you're in for a decent enough time.

Johnny Mack Brown is exactly who you want in this kind of movie. He’s got that stoic, 'I’m going to fix this problem' look nailed down. He plays Steve McLain, and he spends most of the movie looking like he just stepped out of a catalog for rugged undercover work. 🤠

The plot is pretty much what you'd expect from a flick like Two Gun Sap, though maybe a little more focused on the detective side of things. The bad guys are led by Ace Pringle, and let me tell you, Ted Adams really leans into being the kind of villain who probably twirls his invisible mustache when he’s off-camera. It’s fun to watch, even if it’s predictable.

There is a scene near the middle where they sit around a table talking about the next heist. It goes on for a bit too long, and I’m pretty sure one of the extras in the background is just waiting for the lunch bell to ring. But then, the action picks up, and it doesn't matter anymore.

Honestly, the pacing is all over the place. Sometimes it feels like they’re rushing to get to the shootout, and other times we’re just watching people walk through dusty doorways for ages. It’s got that slightly unpolished charm you only get with these older black-and-white pictures. It reminds me a bit of the vibe in Sheriff Nell's Comeback where everything is just a little bit scrappy.

Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it worth an hour of your time if you love the genre? Sure. Just don’t expect the script to win any awards for complexity. Sometimes, you just need to see the good guy walk in, look at the crooked sheriff, and know exactly how the next ten minutes are going to go. 🔫

Small things I noticed:

• The sound quality on some of the dialogue is a little crunchy.
• I swear the same horse appears in three different scenes as 'different' horses.
• The showdown at the end happens so fast you’ll blink and miss the best part.