"Range War" is not about a traditional range war but has to do with the construction of a railroad spur.
Rancher Buck Collins (Willard Robertson) is charging a toll to the other area ranchers to cross his land. The other ranchers have banded together to build a railway spur from which they will ship their cattle to market. Collins is trying to sabotage the line. He has placed some of his men to undermine the construction.
The payroll destined to pay the crew has been stolen. Owner Jim Marlow goes to banker Charlie Higgins (Kenneth Harlan) to ask for another loan. Higgins reluctantly agrees on the understanding that he will send for Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) to get the project back on track.
When Hoppy and Lucky (Russell Hayden) arrive they go to a nearby mission to visit an old friend Padre Jose (Pedro de Cordoba). There they meet up with an old harmonica playing friend Speedy McGinnis (Britt Wood) . Padre Jose offers the Mission to Hoppy as his headquarters. Meanwhile saboteurs are at work trying to blow up the tracks while protesting the lack of pay for the crew.
In town, Hoppy meets the town Deputy Fenton (Earle Hodgins) when disguised as a Padre he leaves a message detailing when the stagecoach carrying Marlow and the new loan is to arrive. Fenton of course blabs the information all over town. Hoppy and Lucky meanwhile hold up the stage and takes the money just as Collins men (Eddie Dean, Ray Bennett) arrive to do the same. Before long the Sheriff (Glenn Strange) and a posse arrive and arrest all four.
Hoppy convinces the real robbers that he would be valuable to Collins' organization. They take him to Morgan (Francis McDonald) Collins' foreman but he recognizes Hoppy from an earlier meeting. Hoppy has arranged for Lucky to take a job on the railroad "to keep an eye on things". He discovers two saboteurs trying to blow up a trestle but is blamed when they turn the tables on him. Lucky is forced to flee with the Sheriff and his posse in pursuit.
Hoppy has convinced Collins and his men to go to the Mission to find Lucky. He tricks only Collins and Morgan inside leaving the rest of the gang on the outside. Padre Jose's helper Felipe (Don Latorre) accidently fires his gun wounding Hoppy. Padre Jose is also wounded in the scuffle with Collins and Morgan. A gunfight breaks out.
As Hoppy and Lucky strive to protect Padre Jose, Collins men break down the gates and..........................................................
Better than average Hoppy adventure. Britt Wood was brought in to replace the recently departed George Hayes but wouldn't last. Earle Hodgins also provided some comedy relief. Great scenery and plenty of blazing action.
The producers hadn't yet discovered that Eddie Dean could sing and cast him as one of the bandits. Jason Robards Sr. appears as one of the ranchers and Stanley Price as one of the fifth columnists.
Rancher Buck Collins (Willard Robertson) is charging a toll to the other area ranchers to cross his land. The other ranchers have banded together to build a railway spur from which they will ship their cattle to market. Collins is trying to sabotage the line. He has placed some of his men to undermine the construction.
The payroll destined to pay the crew has been stolen. Owner Jim Marlow goes to banker Charlie Higgins (Kenneth Harlan) to ask for another loan. Higgins reluctantly agrees on the understanding that he will send for Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) to get the project back on track.
When Hoppy and Lucky (Russell Hayden) arrive they go to a nearby mission to visit an old friend Padre Jose (Pedro de Cordoba). There they meet up with an old harmonica playing friend Speedy McGinnis (Britt Wood) . Padre Jose offers the Mission to Hoppy as his headquarters. Meanwhile saboteurs are at work trying to blow up the tracks while protesting the lack of pay for the crew.
In town, Hoppy meets the town Deputy Fenton (Earle Hodgins) when disguised as a Padre he leaves a message detailing when the stagecoach carrying Marlow and the new loan is to arrive. Fenton of course blabs the information all over town. Hoppy and Lucky meanwhile hold up the stage and takes the money just as Collins men (Eddie Dean, Ray Bennett) arrive to do the same. Before long the Sheriff (Glenn Strange) and a posse arrive and arrest all four.
Hoppy convinces the real robbers that he would be valuable to Collins' organization. They take him to Morgan (Francis McDonald) Collins' foreman but he recognizes Hoppy from an earlier meeting. Hoppy has arranged for Lucky to take a job on the railroad "to keep an eye on things". He discovers two saboteurs trying to blow up a trestle but is blamed when they turn the tables on him. Lucky is forced to flee with the Sheriff and his posse in pursuit.
Hoppy has convinced Collins and his men to go to the Mission to find Lucky. He tricks only Collins and Morgan inside leaving the rest of the gang on the outside. Padre Jose's helper Felipe (Don Latorre) accidently fires his gun wounding Hoppy. Padre Jose is also wounded in the scuffle with Collins and Morgan. A gunfight breaks out.
As Hoppy and Lucky strive to protect Padre Jose, Collins men break down the gates and..........................................................
Better than average Hoppy adventure. Britt Wood was brought in to replace the recently departed George Hayes but wouldn't last. Earle Hodgins also provided some comedy relief. Great scenery and plenty of blazing action.
The producers hadn't yet discovered that Eddie Dean could sing and cast him as one of the bandits. Jason Robards Sr. appears as one of the ranchers and Stanley Price as one of the fifth columnists.