There were 66 films from 1935-1948, all starring William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy. "Strange Gamble," released in October 1948 was the very last Hoppy FILM made.
Boyd also made some 52 half-hour Hoppy TV episodes between 1952 and 1954. Forty of these were fresh (original) shows co-starring Edgar Buchanan as Red Connors. The others were condensed/edited movies converted into half-hour TV episodes, usually with Boyd narrating parts to aid the editing and condensing. "Strange Gamble" happens to be one of the films which was turned into a half-hour episode; it is episode 3 of TV season 1.
I've seen both the TV episode and the feature film, both by the same name "Strange Gamble." Maybe I am too influenced by the TV episode, but the movie seems like cheap, formula TV. That's my review. Nothing positive to say.
Boyd also made some 52 half-hour Hoppy TV episodes between 1952 and 1954. Forty of these were fresh (original) shows co-starring Edgar Buchanan as Red Connors. The others were condensed/edited movies converted into half-hour TV episodes, usually with Boyd narrating parts to aid the editing and condensing. "Strange Gamble" happens to be one of the films which was turned into a half-hour episode; it is episode 3 of TV season 1.
I've seen both the TV episode and the feature film, both by the same name "Strange Gamble." Maybe I am too influenced by the TV episode, but the movie seems like cheap, formula TV. That's my review. Nothing positive to say.