A chilling opening in which a cowboy, Randy Bowers, finds a tavern filled with dead men sets up a good early movie for John Wayne. Bowers (Wayne) investigates the killings, aided by the daughter (Alberta Vaughn) of one of the victims, who even helps Randy to escape jail when he is arrested for the murders …
Read the full post →“<em>Randy Rides Alone</em> (Lone Star / Monogram, 1934)”
After an evening in which he decides to take action against someone for malfeasance, grumpy old millionaire Silas Wayne (William V. Mong) is reading his will to a gathering of grasping relatives, as well as his doctor and his housekeeper, when he collapses across his desk. The members of the group, which includes two policemen …
Read the full post →“<em>A Strange Adventure</em> (Monogram, 1932)”
A strange phenomenon is plaguing the city: Brides are dropping dead at the altar, and their bodies are then stolen. A society reporter (Luana Walters) who senses a big story decides to investigate, more hampered than helped by her photographer (Vince Barnett). Her suspicions soon light on scientist George Lorenz (Bela Lugosi), and she enlists …
Read the full post →“<em>The Corpse Vanishes</em> (Monogram, 1942)”
In Blazing Bullets, which premiered 70 years ago, in May 1951, a U.S. marshal (Johnny Mack Brown) investigating the theft of gold bullion gets involved with star-crossed lovers, a kidnapped rancher, a “haunted” ranch, an oddball prospector, and a crooked sheriff. The young couple are played sympathetically by Lois Hall and House Peters, Jr., with …
Read the full post →“<em>Blazing Bullets</em> (Monogram, 1951)”
The final film for Buck Jones has two of the three Rough Riders (Jones and Raymond Hatton as Buck Roberts and Sandy Hopkins) continuing their roles (Tim McCoy had rejoined the Army at this point) and joined by Marshal Jack Carson (Rex Bell). The lawmen are entrusted with ensuring that railroad supplies get through in …
Read the full post →“<em>Dawn on the Great Divide</em> (Monogram, 1942)”
There’s more undercover work for Rough Riders Buck, Tim, and Sandy (Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, and Raymond Hatton) in the last entry in the series, with Buck pretending to be an outlaw, Tim a preacher, and Sandy an undertaker. This time around, the marshals are out to stop a gang that is hijacking miners’ gold. …
Read the full post →“<em>West of the Law</em> (Monogram, 1942)”
A number of the Bowery Boys pictures revolve around something strange happening to Sach (Huntz Hall), and the amusing Master Minds is no exception. This time, Sach develops the ability to predict the future, and Slip (Leo Gorcey) looks to exploit it by setting him up as a carnival attraction. Yet there’s menace in the …
Read the full post →“<em>Master Minds</em> (Monogram, 1949)”
U. S. Marshals Nevada Jack McKenzie (Johnny Mack Brown) and Sandy Hopkins (Raymond Hatton) investigate the hijacking of gold ore in Land of the Outlaws and uncover a plot to trick the mine owner into selling out. Likeable leads give this one some appeal, although the story is slight. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this …
Read the full post →“<em>Land of the Outlaws</em> (Monogram, 1944)”
In the last film for the Rough Riders trio of Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, and Raymond Hatton, rancher Ma Turner (Sarah Padden) turns to the boys for help to stop the rustling of cattle. As usual, there’s some undercover work, though this time around Buck doesn’t take on that task. Tim, however, pretends to be …
Read the full post →“<em>Riders of the West</em> (Monogram, 1942)”
A gang of outlaws is terrorizing ranchers into selling their land and moving away — but why? U.S. Marshal Johnny Mack Brown is called in by the local sheriff to put a stop to the depredations, figure out the reason, and identify and capture the crooks. The story moves along at a good clip, and, …
Read the full post →“<em>Law of the Panhandle</em> (Monogram, 1950)”
