Stars over Texas (1946)

Eddie Dean, PRC's low-budget answer to Gene Autry, starred in this lethargic singing western which benefited from Dean performing his own title-tune, "Fifteen Hundred and One Miles to Heaven" and "Sands of the Old Rio Grande", the last mentioned co-written with B-Western supporting actor Glenn Strange. Dean is a Cattlemen's Association agent investigating a serious rash of rustlings along with sidekicks Soapy (Roscoe Ates) and Waco (Lee Bennett. The latter bears a striking resemblance to Lawrence ranch foreman Bert Ford (also Bennett), who has been the target of several assassination attempts. Rancher Lawrence (Lee Roberts) and Eddie decide that Waco shall impersonate Ford, who is hiding out in a hotel room. The leader of the gang of rustlers attempts to turns the tables by calling in a circuit judge (William Fawcett) but Ford, from his hotel room, recognizes the man as an imposter. Loading up on fireworks and dynamite, Eddie, Soapy and Ford defend the hotel from gang leader Ringo Evans (Jack O'Shea) and his men until the law arrives. Stars Over Texas was produced and directed by Robert Emmett Tansey. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi