Barry Hays Movies
- 1940
An above-average entry in Republic Pictures' long-running "Three Mesqueteers" series, The Trail Blazers is something as unusual as a Christmas western that includes comic sidekick Rufe Davis' rendition of "Jingle Bells". The Mesqueteers -- who in addition to Davis' Lullaby Joslin also numbered Robert Livingston as Stony Brooke and Bob Steele as "Tucson" Smith -- come to the aid of Jim Chapman (Carroll Nye), an engineer assigned to build a telegraph for the army. But a group of powerful local businessmen, headed by crooked newspaper publisher Jeff Bradley (Weldon Heyburn), do their utmost to sabotage the project. Yet despite the inevitable setbacks, the Mesqueteers, aided by Army Major Kelton (Tom Chatterton) and his daughter Marcia (Pauline Moore), make sure that the life-saving telegraph is erected on time. In an effort to duplicate the success of the "Three Mesqueteers" films, small-scale Monogram begun their own trio series in 1943, confusingly entitled "The Trail Blazers," a moniker the studio most likely "stole" from this western. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Livingston, Bob Steele, (more)
- 1940
Bantam-weight western star Don "Red" Barry, Republic's answer to James Cagney, is perfectly cast in One Man's Law. When plans to build a railroad are threatened by an outlaw gang, hero Jack (Barry) arrives in town to set things right. Jack's reputation as a two-gun terror with a price on his head has preceded him, thanks to his garrulous pal Nevady (Dub Taylor). Only trouble is, the reputation is totally fabricated: Jack is a peace-loving soul who originally came to town looking for a job as a cowhand. Soon, however, Jack begins to live up to his phony rep, donning a sheriff's badge and routing the baddies. It would appear that someone at Republic had seen Universal's Destry Rides Again more than once before embarking upon One Man's Law. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don "Red" Barry, Janet Waldo, (more)
- 1939
In this melodrama, the acting warden at a correctional facility must make a difficult choice when he comes across some ill-gotten loot after averting a prison break. At first he keeps it for himself, but then one of the recently recaptured inmates gets blamed for the crime. During the attempted escape, an inmate was killed and he is blamed for that too. They sentence him to death, and he later accuses the acting warden of stealing the loot, which the convict only wanted so he could get an education. As the inmate's final days approach, the warden's conscience erupts and inspires him to action. Unfortunately, tragedy still ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victor McLaglen, Jackie Cooper, (more)
- 1938
In this entry in the long-running series of westerns, the Three Mesquiteers transform their ranch into a prison farm to provide a model for prison reform. They are opposed by a local contractor who wants to build a standard prison. He and his colleagues endeavor to destroy the ranch, but they are thwarted by the daring trio. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Livingston, Max "Alibi" Terhune, (more)
