2 reviews
A WESTERN THAT SWINGS!
Before and during WW2 Columbia made "B" westerns as good as anyone, and this one maintains that solid record. Everyone involved was at the top of their game. Russell Hayden, now barely remembered, was at the height of his popularity coming off the Hopalong Cassidy series. Director William Berke keeps everything moving at a brisk pace. And if that wasn't enough, the legendary Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys contribute 4 1940S style country swing numbers.
Throw in a decent plot, Dub Taylor for sidekick comedy, terrific stunts and action scenes with a rousing score, you get a top notch B western.... with swing!
Throw in a decent plot, Dub Taylor for sidekick comedy, terrific stunts and action scenes with a rousing score, you get a top notch B western.... with swing!
The vigilantes Ride
When Rangers Lucky and his brother chase outlaws, the brother is killed. To find the killer Lucky quits the Rangers and robs the bank. This gets him into the outlaw gang where he learns of their next raid. Sneaking out at night he tells his girl friend who must now convince the Sheriff that Lucky is not an outlaw and that he must sent his men out to catch the gang.
I don't mind singing in cowboy films but only one or two, but here you get four. However, it doesn't distract from the simple, straightforward plot with Russel Hayden quitting the Rangers and going bad in order to nab the gang responsible for his brother's death. It helps that the songs are catchy and swing - the film itself is fast and zips along with the usual fair share of fast-riding and shootin'.
I don't mind singing in cowboy films but only one or two, but here you get four. However, it doesn't distract from the simple, straightforward plot with Russel Hayden quitting the Rangers and going bad in order to nab the gang responsible for his brother's death. It helps that the songs are catchy and swing - the film itself is fast and zips along with the usual fair share of fast-riding and shootin'.