Bar 20 Rides Again (1935)

Starring: William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy

Director: Howard Bretherton

Studio: Paramount Pictures

PLOT SUMMARY:

Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) receives a letter from his friends, the Arnolds, that some no-good party is rustling cattle off their ranch. Hoppy goes undercover and masquerades as gambler Tex Riley in hopes of snuffing out the gang. As it turns out, the leader of the gang is Nevada (Harry Worth) who, himself, is passing himself off as a friend to the Arnolds. Nevada, a follower of Napoleon, instructs his men to continue rustling cattle from the Arnolds ranch so that he may trick Arnold family patriarch Jim Arnold (Howard Lang) into selling his land which is rich in gold! Hoppy along with Johnny Nelson (Jimmy Ellison), Red Connors (Frank McGlynn, Jr.) and their new friend Windy Halliday (George "Gabby" Hayes), must stop Nevada's gang before all the cattle are stolen!

FILM REVIEW:

Bar 20 Rides Again, the third film in the long-running "Hopalong Cassidy" franchise, was recommended to me by my friend Steve Latshaw, who serves as director for the Museum of Western Film History (Museum Website). The film is an entertaining western romp featuring fine direction by Howard Bretherton. Indeed, I quite enjoyed this outing for Hoppy and pals, who are firing on all cylinders. The only character in these early Cassidy films I do not care for is the overly-eager Johnny Nelson as played by Jimmy Ellison. Ellison is likeable enough in the role but as he often tended to do, he nearly fouls up Hoppy's plans and outright blows his cover. 

However, the reason to watch this movie, aside from Hoppy, is the sensational performance of Harry Worth as the Napoleon worshipping villain Nevada. Worth appears to be enjoying himself portraying such a scheming character. Worth's Nevada is smooth as silk and carries himself with an air of superiority. From his dignified and intellectual manner of speaking to his self assuredness, Worth is simply marvelous in the role. One of the best villains in "B" western history. He's cold, calculating and he is seldom seen angry. Even before he meets his end, he is seen scheming his way out of jailtime. 

I should also mention that, while not his first appearance in the series, this is George "Gabby" Hayes' first time portraying Hoppy's saddle-pal Windy Halliday, a character who would continue throughout four more films in the series. One can definitely see the precursor to the Gabby Whitaker character here and it's fun watching Boyd and Hayes play off each other. It's hilariously ridiculous how the Halliday character presents himself as a friend of Cassidy's though the two had never actually crossed paths before. Hayes is simply wonderful in the role and a joy to watch.

Bar 20 Rides Again is one of the few films I've reviewed on this blog which is available in high-definition. The first volume of ClassicFlix's Hopalong Cassidy - Legacy Collection Blu-Ray, contains this film along with the first two films in the series. Bar 20 Rides Again features a wonderfully informative audio commentary by historian Toby Roan. I insist everyone purchase this set which can be picked up here.

Bar 20 Rides Again was tremendously good fun. A fun western with a compelling villain, an enjoyable sidekick and even a song or two. Highly recommended.

Until next time, pardners!

Heldorado (1946)

Starring: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, George "Gabby" Hayes 

Director: William Witney 

Studio: Republic Pictures Corporation

PLOT SUMMARY:

During the Heldorado Pioneer Parade in Las Vegas, wealthy socialite Carol Randall (Dale Evans) is sworn in as deputy sheriff of the Nevadan town, she meets up with her date, playboy Alec "Allie" Baxter (Brad Dexter), once a prominent member of society until he and his family slid into poverty. In the spirit of good fun, the two decide to take a crack at the roulette wheel located within the hotel's casino, only to lose a thousand dollars.

As it turns out, Baxter has been passing black market bills at the casino and Sheriff Glenn (John Phillips) entrusts the task of investigating the origins of the tainted money to Nevada State Ranger Roy Rogers (Roy Rogers). The sheriff considers Baxter to be a patsy for a larger crime syndicate, who is using him to pass the cash throughout Las Vegas. While the sheriff takes Baxter down to the station for questioning, Rogers ventures to Baxter's room to investigate. One of the syndicate's henchmen confiscates the money, Rogers discovers him and gives chase. The henchman steals Carol's horse and she gives chase as well. She takes a tumble off her horse, allowing Rogers to become distracted and the hoodlum to get away. 

The next day Roy, Carol and Gabby Whitaker (George "Gabby" Hayes) participate in the Heldorado Rodeo, when a message, meant to be conveyed to Roy but instead relayed to Carol that there has been a shooting at the local dam and that Baxter is the victim. Carol heads off to investigate, when Roy shows up to put a stop to it. Roy and Carol discover some of Baxter's effects, including four tickets to the Heldorado Carnival. The two venture off to the carnival for further investigation. 

Carol tricks Roy by imprisoning him in a makeshift jail cell at the carnival while she ventures off to investigate. She discovers the car used by the murderer, she and Roy decide to mingle among the crowd while keeping the car in view. Meanwhile, C.W. Driscoll (Paul Harvey) wanders over to the shooting gallery and this provides the two syndicate thugs the opportunity to get away. Carol wants to give chase but Roy is skeptical of Driscoll and his intentions. 

Roy heads to the casino and catches one of the roulette workers concealing the tainted money in a roll of papers, Roy invites the fellow into a nearby office where the man confesses and informs Roy that more bills are on their way. Later at the Heldorado treasure hunt, Driscoll charges his two right hands to ensnare Roy into a trap. Meanwhile, Carol discovers Driscoll is headed to receive more filthy funds and attempts to alert Roy, but he proceeds to ignore her. She entrusts Gabby with the task of finding Roy and informing him of the transaction. 

As Roy participates in the treasure hunt, Carol arrives at the railroad station to confiscate Driscoll's baggage. Driscoll and his men arrive, find Carol and lock her up. Gabby finally notifies Roy of where Driscoll is and Roy heads to the railroad station. A fight breaks out, with both Roy and Carol giving the galoots a thrashing. Driscoll escapes but trips and falls off a ledge. Carol and Roy arrive and apprehend Driscoll. 

FILM REVIEW:

Heldorado was quite a lot of fun and brilliantly suspenseful in its final act. Director Witney milks the suspense for all it is worth which keeps viewers at the edge of their seat. Of course, we all know that the heroes will be the victor and the villains will get theirs but it is how the final battle is executed in Witney's films which separates them from the rest of the pack. If Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense, then Witney is his analogous in the "B" western film genre. Using the Heldorado festival as the backdrop of an elaborate muddled money scheme is brilliant, even if Gabby Hayes is wasted in this particular outing, playing more of a background participant than upfront with the action, at least until the final act. 

The more I watch Roy Rogers and Dale Evans together, the more I become smitten with the partnership. Those who were readers of mine during the Cinema Crazed days will likely remember me comparing the two favorably to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and I still hold the comparison true. The duo is unforgettable and gel together like a well oiled machine. Even though there are some remarks made by Roy in the film that would make modern feminists wince, Dale is still center to the action and shines beautifully, even allowing herself to get physically involved in the fight at the end. Dale stood tall and proud and she never backed down from a great fight and this is what I love about her. So often the heroines in these films present themselves as bland, one-note cardboard cut-outs, so it is refreshing to see someone like Dale Evans mix it up with the baddies and take charge and it is she who uncovers a lot of the clues in the film. However to be fair, she still fills the "damsel-in-distress" quota, which will make the aforementioned feminists roll their eyes and groan. However, it must be said that these films were not produced with them in mind.

I quite enjoyed Heldorado, any chance to spend an hour with Roy, Dale and Gabby is a great one in my view and this one was a lot of fun. However, I must admit to preferring their earlier 1946 effort Roll On Texas Moon over this one. However, it must be said that even one of Roy and Dale's middling films are still superior to some of other stars better pictures.