Max Terhune steps in as Lullaby in this, the second of the long-running series of Three Mesquiteers movies at Republic, and his character is soon joined by ventriloquist’s dummy Elmer, a fixture in Terhune’s performances both in this series and others, whom Lullaby wins in this film by beating a carny at three-card monte. The ghost town of the title is an abandoned town where an eccentric lives. As we learn later, he has it rigged up for spooky activity: bell ringing, weird cries, and collapsing building parts. A local bar owner seeks revenge against the town banker for inducing the town council to prohibit a boxing match; he does so by having his henchmen rob the bank’s safe, hoping thereby to force the bank out of business when it can’t meet people’s payroll withdrawals. Tucson ends up in a boxing match to try to win money to keep the bank open, but the bad guys sabotage the fight. An excellent entry.

  Recommended. Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax.

Movie 442 for 2021.