User Reviews

The most desperate character in this entertaining oater from Universal seems to be the sheriff (Russell Simpson). He's desperate to get his hands on money being transported on the stagecoach; he's desperate to rustle cattle; and he's desperate to push a lovely lady (Frances Robinson) off her ranch. Yes, the local community has a corrupt man wearing a badge. And he's desperate not to get found out. Fortunately, a territory marshal has just sent a federal agent to clean things up.

The agent is played by Johnny Mack Brown, appearing in the first of 28 modestly budgeted westerns for the studio. The actor, known as Mack to family and friends, was no longer the A-lister he had been earlier in the decade at MGM. But the former football player turned Hollywood star was still popular enough with audiences to gain a contract at Universal.

Starting with DESPERATE TRAILS, he found his stride as a B-western hero. He would make dozens more such pictures until his eventual retirement in the 1960s. In many of these adventures, Mack would be paired with Fuzzy Knight who functioned as his comic sidekick.

The camaraderie of the two men is superb, and it's believable that they're pals. In addition to Mr. Knight, Mack also shares scenes with pretty boy crooner Bob Baker. Interestingly, Baker had been featured in his own series of westerns, but was now appearing mainly in a supporting capacity.

In this film, Baker doesn't come on until the 24-minute mark when he performs a specialty number inside a cantina. When Universal decided not to renew Baker's contract a year later, Mack was joined by Tex Ritter who took over singing duties.

The plot for this production is not too taxing, which I think is part of its charm. Films like these are enjoyable to watch on a Saturday after a long and stressful work week. As I've already mentioned, the sheriff is the bad guy, and he has some dangerous cronies. But of course, they are no match for Mack.

Though some of what happens on screen is fairly predictable and routine as far as these things go, there are still some clever touches. I especially liked the part where three of the sheriff's henchmen have their attempt to rob the stage foiled by Mack, who as the good guy robs the coach first, then makes sure the money gets where it belongs.

There are also some fun moments where Fuzzy brings Mack to stay at the ranch Miss Robinson owns. Mack enters the wrong bedroom after having a bit too much fun in town...and 'meet cute' advances to the next level. But our leading man and leading lady remain fairly platonic until the end. The production code doesn't allow them to get too desperate.