Sheridan City is out of control. The citizens are corrupt, the saloon is an immoral indulgence, and gunmen and greedy opportunists come and go as they please. With the town's lawman (Henry Hull) incapable of maintaining order, the town council brings in a hired gun, Clint Tollinger (Robert Mitchum), who has business of his own with the saloon madame (Jan Sterling). Tollinger sets about proving his reputation as a "town tamer" through his signature approach: eradicating violence with violence.