RAMROD, André de Toth's first of many Westerns, is based on the book by prolific cowboy novelist Luke Short. Honest ranch hand and recently reformed drunk, Dave Nash (Joel McCrea), is caught in the middle of a vicious land dispute between his boss Walt Shipley (Ian MacDonald) and malevolent big cattleman, Frank Ivey (Preston Foster). When Shipley skips town, he leaves his ranch to angry ex-fiancée, Connie Dickason (Veronica Lake), whose father Ben (Charlie Ruggles) is a devoted Ivey follower. Tough, fiery Connie takes over Walt's ranch with the intention of fighting Ivey and her father to the bitter end. Dave agrees to be the Circle 66 ramrod, or foreman, and enlists the help of roguish cowboy Bill Schell (Don DeFore). To keep Sheriff Crew (Donald Crisp) on their side, Dave insists that they fight clean. As Ivey's intimidation methods escalate, however, Connie proves herself a worthy and wily adversary. Armed with his cowboy code of honor, Dave maneuvers a dangerous world of greed, lies, and murder in this old fashioned tale featuring two of Hollywood biggest stars of the 1940s.