Lawless Code (1949)

Ostensibly a Jimmy Wakely musical Western -- the singer's final starring vehicle -- The Lawless Code is really a showcase for Riley Hill, a young supporting actor who had played young henchmen for years under the name Roy Harris. While Wakely is barely given enough to warble "Trail to Mexico," Hill appears front and center as Curly Blake, a young rancher whose uncle (Steve Clark) is murdered for his valuable land. Uncle and nephew had been estranged since Curly rejected an offer to sell the family spread to the Red Rock Land & Development Company. Curly is accused of the killing, but the real culprit is the company president, a smooth-talking ex-judge (Tristram Coffin). With assistance from traveling troubadour Wakely and his sidekick, Cannonball (Dub Taylor), Curly rescues lovely Rita Caldwell (Ellen Hall) from Steele's blackmailing henchmen (Kenne Duncan and Terry Frost), one of whom is made to spill the beans about the killing. Wakely and the Sheriff (Bud Osborne) set a trap for Steele, who is soon apprehended. A busy supporting player well into the television era, Riley Hill later played the recurring role of Marshal Riley on Marshall of Gunsight Pass (1950). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi