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.
The Son of Dr. Jekyll (Columbia, 1951)
When the son of the notorious Dr. Jekyll is inspired to undertake some experiments of his own along the same lines as those of his father, deadly happenings suggest that history may be repeating itself. But who in fact is responsible for the crimes? Louis Hayward does well in the lead, even if he is …
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South of Death Valley (Columbia, 1949)
Rather than a put-up battle between ranchers and sheepherders or farmers, this Durango Kid outing features a fomented conflict between ranchers and miners. When Steve Downey (Charles Starrett) seeks to reopen the mine that was owned by his murdered brother-in-law, the crooks behind the killing commit another, with Steve framed for the crime, and it’s …
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The Man with Nine Lives (Columbia, 1940)
Boris Karloff shines as usual as a mad scientist, this time one committed to cryogenic research. In fact, he himself is a beneficiary, when, after being frozen alive, he and those frozen with him are revived by a younger doctor who makes use of “frozen therapy” to treat cancer. Unfortunately, the scientist’s monomania, though it …
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Jungle Moon Men (Columbia, 1955)
The end was near for Johnny Weissmuller’s adventures in backlot and soundstage jungles with 1955’s Jungle Moon Men, one of three films in which he played a character named, in fact, “Johnny Weissmuller.” This time around, Johnny accompanies an author (Jean Byron), nice guy Bob Prentice (William Henry), and shady guide Mark Santo (Myron Healey) …
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Cyclone Fury (Columbia, 1951)
Steve Reynolds (Charles Starrett) and Smiley (Smiley Burnette) come to the aid of an Indian boy who has inherited a contract to round up wild horses for the Army, which he can keep only so long as he manages to deliver 300 head within a month’s time. The nefarious Grat Hanlon (Clayton Moore) deploys his …
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Challenge of the Range (Columbia, 1949)
It’s another plot to force ranchers off their land in this Durango Kid outing, with alter ego Steve Roper (Charles Starrett in both roles) a range detective brought in to investigate. Smiley Burnette is once again on hand to lend some comic and musical support, but the overall effort is a middling entry in the …
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A Tornado in the Saddle (Columbia, 1942)
Russell Hayden plays Sheriff Lucky Crandall in this tale of crooks after a gold mine, a rancher who won’t let them use his land, and a sister dealing with her outlaw brother. Dub Taylor provides comic support as Cannonball, and Bob Will and His Texas Playboys add some excellent music. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks …
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The Blazing Trail (Columbia, 1949)
The Durango Kid (Charles Starrett) takes a hand when a suspicious will of a murdered man apparently leaves the bulk of his property to a wastrel son rather than his hard-working sibling. As with many of the series entries, flashback narration provides a portion of the running time, and there’s musical and comedy relief from …
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Counter-Espionage (Columbia, 1942)
The Lone Wolf (Warren William) is in London, where he steals important plans from an official’s home safe, putting Scotland Yard, and the visiting New York police, on his tail. Unbeknownst to them, he is working with the official to try to trap a ring of German spies, but his efforts are endangered after the …
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