"Sunset Trail" is a very entertaining entry in the long running Hopalong Cassidy series produced by Harry "Pop" Sherman in the 30's and 40s.
In this one Hoppy (William Boyd), Windy (George "Gabby" Hayes) and Lucky (Russell Hayden) come to the rescue of widow Ann Marsh (Charlotte Wynters) and her young Daughter Dorrie (Jan Clayton) whose husband and father have been murdered by gambler Monte Keller (Robert Fiske). Ann decides to open up a "Dude Ranch". Hoppy, and this is where Boyd gets to have some fun, goes undercover as a foppish Eastern dude named William H. Cassidy to get the goods on Keller and his gang.
Boyd camps it up in a tweed suit and derby hat and seems to have a lot of fun doing it. He is seen in his regular black outfit only at the beginning and end of the movie. Hayes meanwhile is pursued throughout the movie by Abigail Snodgrass (Kathryn Sheldon). Hayden competes with Keller's hench man Steve Dorman (Anthony Nace) for Clayton's affections. The whole thing is brought to a climax in a rousing finale shootout where Hoppy brings the bad guys to justice.
As in most of the "Hoppys", the photography, in this case by Russell Harlan, is outstanding. The direction by Leslie Selander is crisp and keeps the story moving. Watch for veterans Glenn Strange and Tom London in minor roles.
Great fun.
In this one Hoppy (William Boyd), Windy (George "Gabby" Hayes) and Lucky (Russell Hayden) come to the rescue of widow Ann Marsh (Charlotte Wynters) and her young Daughter Dorrie (Jan Clayton) whose husband and father have been murdered by gambler Monte Keller (Robert Fiske). Ann decides to open up a "Dude Ranch". Hoppy, and this is where Boyd gets to have some fun, goes undercover as a foppish Eastern dude named William H. Cassidy to get the goods on Keller and his gang.
Boyd camps it up in a tweed suit and derby hat and seems to have a lot of fun doing it. He is seen in his regular black outfit only at the beginning and end of the movie. Hayes meanwhile is pursued throughout the movie by Abigail Snodgrass (Kathryn Sheldon). Hayden competes with Keller's hench man Steve Dorman (Anthony Nace) for Clayton's affections. The whole thing is brought to a climax in a rousing finale shootout where Hoppy brings the bad guys to justice.
As in most of the "Hoppys", the photography, in this case by Russell Harlan, is outstanding. The direction by Leslie Selander is crisp and keeps the story moving. Watch for veterans Glenn Strange and Tom London in minor roles.
Great fun.