A surprising ending adds interest to this Johnny Mack Brown feature, one of his Nevada Jack McKenzie series costarring Raymond Hatton as U.S. Marshal Sandy Hopkins. Much of the focus in the picture is on the title character (played by Marshall Reed), a man involved with a gang of outlaws who sets out to cross …
Read the full post →“Monogram Monday: <em>The Texas Kid</em> (1943)”
Unoriginal but entertaining western has a bad man (Audie Murphy) throwing in his lot with a rancher (Paul Kelly) being targeted by the crook who originally hired him. Murphy has appeal, and the other performers are effective in their roles; though the plot is fairly standard, watching this is a pleasant way to spend a …
Hot rods and a haunted house: hijinks among the young. There’s silly fun in this unmemorable American International outing that is worth a look in spooky season. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK. Movie 563 for 2021.
The focus in this action movie, originally titled Xia nu bao ta jie, is on the skilled daughters of a loyal general, who must protect the rightful heir to the throne after he has been poisoned (and his father murdered). The women battle bad guys and also pursue the antidote for the poison (protected within …
Read the full post →“<em>Shaolin Temple: Seven Spirit Pagoda</em> (1976)”
Singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely is thought to be a gun-slinging desperado, the Melody Kid, thanks to tales told by pal Cannonball (Dub Taylor). Wakely is persuaded to fill in for an injured lawman to put an end to a crime wave and thus secure a town’s bid to become the county seat. Matters get even …
Read the full post →“Monogram Monday: Oklahoma Blues (1948)”
Ranger Jack Steele (George O’Brien) goes undercover after accused killer Judith Alvarez (Rita Hayworth), who is leading a band of the dispossessed against the landgrabbers responsible, only to find his investigation revealing another likely culprit, and to have assorted complications arise — in the form of an ex-Ranger (Tim Holt) now with the Alvarez gang, …
Read the full post →“<em>The Renegade Ranger</em> (RKO, 1938)”
A U.S. government agent (Dick Powell) travels around the globe in an effort to break up a vast international drug-smuggling conspiracy. Powell does an excellent job as usual, though the episodic plot isn’t particularly memorable. Recommended. Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax. Movie 17 for 2022.
