Good Hoppy film. This was the first of only 4 films for the cute 19yo pint-sized leading lady: Betty Moran. It's also the first released Hoppy film since George Hayes, as Hoppy's perennial old codger of a sidekick: Windy, abandoned the series to costar in films of Republic Studios, where her was renamed 'Gabby'. Britt Wood takes Windy's place as the inappropriately nicknamed 'Speedy' McGinnis. Of course, 'Speedy' was anything but speedy, both physically and in his slow-moving mind. Another mentally challenged character: is deputy Fenton(Earl Hodgin.). His gullibility is amply illustrated when he is induced by jailed Hoppy to give Hoppy a lariat so that Hoppy could demonstrate his proficiency at snaring things with a rope. Pretty soon, Hoppy snares the deputy, with arms against his body, and pulls him toward the cell, so that Hoppy can grab his gun and keys.........It's said that all the cinematography takes place, in Bill Boyd's favorite location shooting region: in the vicinity of Lone Pine, CA., just east of the then snow-capped High Sierras and their Alabama foothills. The Sierras are quite visible in the background much of the time......... The plot is comparatively simple: One rancher: Buck Collins(Willard Robertson) has the nearby ranchers over a barrel, with the strategic location of his range , so that driving cattle to market is much quicker and simpler than the alternative. Hence, he charges an exorbitant toll to allow passage over his land. The ranchers are willing to help finance a rail spur that circumvents his land. Thus, one of them: Jim Marlow(Matt Moore) borrowed $25,000. from banker Charley Higgins. Unfortunately, apparently, Collins somehow acquired the information that Marlow was taking his $25,000. to end of tract, to pay the workers. The stage was held up by thieves who seemed to know about Marlows' stash, and ignored an even greater prize in the strong box. As yet, there was no proof that Collins was involved with the robbery. Marlow calls for Hoppy to come and investigate this robbery. Never fear, Hoppy and aids will eventually catch some of Collins' gang who are about to divvy up the money, and exclude the others. Hoppy recovers almost all of the $25,000. In the meanwhile ,Hoppy approved another loan of $20,000 to satisfy the workers. Meanwhile, a Collins-connected agitator encourages the workers to tear up track they had just laid down. Hoppy and Marlow's daughter, Ellen(Betty Moran) ride to end of track to see what's going on. Against Hoppy's advice, Ellen pleads with the rebels to stop destroying what they have done. She doesn't detect a bomb with lighted fuse near her, but Hoppy senses something is wrong when the workers all vacate that area. Hoppy whisks her off her feet just before the bomb explodes. Can't believe neither was injured!.........During part of the time Hoppy goes undercover as Mr. Grant, which is possible, because many of the involved don't know what Hoppy looks like. He figures that Collins will somehow learn that Marlow is again carrying the $20,000. on the stage. Thus, he and Speedy holdup the stage and take the money. Unfortunately, Collins' men very soon arrive, expecting to steal the cash themselves, and stick the guys up. Then, the sheriff and posse show up and arrest all four, assumed to be Collin's men.(Interestingly, Glen Strange, who usually plays a badman, is the sheriff. They are taken to jail, and soon break out, as previously described. ........ The action now shifts to the old mission, headed by Padre Jose(Pedro de Cordoba), which is Hoppy's temporary headquarters. Several badmen, including Collins are stuck up inside the compound, but get loose within. There are still a bunch outside, who try to get in by climbing over the compound wall, or breaking the door. Finally, they succeed in breaking through the door., and the gun battle accelerates. Meanwhile, Marlow heads a cavalry of rail workers(where did they get the horses?). When they arrive, the gun battle soon stops, as Collins' men are killed or surrender. However, as you might expect, Collins tries to escape, running on the wall(Why wasn't he shot?), then jumping on his horse. Hoppy follows him, and pulls him off his horse, as he is about to leave. Hoppy repeatedly beats him against the wall until he is submissive.
Review of Range War
