The formula for the Hopalong Cassidy films was pretty consistent. In just about every story, he has two sidekicks (when Roy and Gene only had one!)....an old coot and a handsome young guy. But who played these parts varied. For example, the old coot was played by George 'Gabby' Hayes in the early films. But after a contract dispute, he left Paramount and went to work for Republic....and Paramount experimented with a few others until eventually casting Andy Clyde as 'California'....and he kept this role in more than half the films. But in between were a few others, and in "Range War", Britt Wood played 'Speedy'...and in total he played this role four times.
The story begins with Hoppy and Lucky heading to a town having railroad problems. It seems that the local ranchers would love to have a railroad spur...then they could avoid crossing over Buck Collins' property...where he forces them to pay a toll! And, when the construction of the railroad is disrupted again and again, you have a strong suspicion that Collins in behind it. And, it does seem like this local baddie is behind payroll robberies which have left the workers unpaid and grouchy....as well as having ringers among the workers who stir them up again and again. Can Hoppy get to the bottom of this? And, what about Speedy? Where does he come into all this?
Like most of the Cassidy films, this one is filmed in the area of Lone Pine, California...in the foothills of Mt. Whitney. It's one of the most beautiful and atmospheric locations for westerns....and many hundred were filmed there. In this film, the amazing scenery is highlighted more than usual....making for a lovely film.
So is it any good? Well, considering nearly all of the Cassidy films are among the best of the B-westerns, I had relatively high hopes for this one and the film certainly didn't disappoint. Exciting and worth seeing...and if you want, it's available on YouTube...completely restored and not an abbreviated copy edited down for television.
By the way, character western actor Glenn Strange does something very unusual here for a Hopalong Cassidy film. I've seen most of them and this one is the first one I've seen where he plays a sheriff AND one that isn't evil! In all his other performances, he's one of the baddie's henchmen....but not here.
The story begins with Hoppy and Lucky heading to a town having railroad problems. It seems that the local ranchers would love to have a railroad spur...then they could avoid crossing over Buck Collins' property...where he forces them to pay a toll! And, when the construction of the railroad is disrupted again and again, you have a strong suspicion that Collins in behind it. And, it does seem like this local baddie is behind payroll robberies which have left the workers unpaid and grouchy....as well as having ringers among the workers who stir them up again and again. Can Hoppy get to the bottom of this? And, what about Speedy? Where does he come into all this?
Like most of the Cassidy films, this one is filmed in the area of Lone Pine, California...in the foothills of Mt. Whitney. It's one of the most beautiful and atmospheric locations for westerns....and many hundred were filmed there. In this film, the amazing scenery is highlighted more than usual....making for a lovely film.
So is it any good? Well, considering nearly all of the Cassidy films are among the best of the B-westerns, I had relatively high hopes for this one and the film certainly didn't disappoint. Exciting and worth seeing...and if you want, it's available on YouTube...completely restored and not an abbreviated copy edited down for television.
By the way, character western actor Glenn Strange does something very unusual here for a Hopalong Cassidy film. I've seen most of them and this one is the first one I've seen where he plays a sheriff AND one that isn't evil! In all his other performances, he's one of the baddie's henchmen....but not here.