Officially a Charles Starrett western, Riders of the Badlands divides its running time fairly evenly between Starrett and second-billed Russell Hayden. The plot concerns a Texas Ranger named Collins and his lookalike, notorious outlaw Langdon. When his wife is killed by Langdon's minions, Barton vows to avenge her death.

A debutante, a serviceman's bride and a girl from a military family join the Women's Army Corps.