Kansas Cyclone (1941)

The irrepressible Donald Barry is twice falsely accused of murder in this typical low-budget but well-mounted Republic Western. Barry plays Jim Randall, a lawman assigned to investigate a series of gold shipment robberies. Arriving in the middle of a hold-up, Randall finds himself accused of killing the driver (Yakima Canutt). Wells Fargo agent Cal Chambers (Milton Kibbee) vouches for his innocence, however, claiming him to be a noted geologist. Along with several of the prospectors, Jim devises a plan to prove that Jud Parker (Harry Worth) is using his dummy mine as a cover for stealing ore. The plan backfires and Jim is accused of killing one of the miners. About to be lynched, Jim is saved in the nick of time by crusading newspaper woman Martha King (Lynn Merrick), who arrives with proof of his true identity. As usual, this Donald Barry Western benefited from a well-chosen supporting cast that included William Haade as a crooked sheriff, silent screen star Dorothy Sebastian as the sheriff's ailing wife, and, of course, stunt man extraordinaire Yakima Canutt. Blond Lynn Merrick, whose contract was shared by Republic and Columbia Pictures, was to appear no less than 16 times opposite Barry. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi