Tim Holt Movies

Director Leslie Selander pulls out all the stops in this the last of RKO's Tim Holt Westerns. A wounded parolee, Carver (Walter Reed), hires stagecoach operators Tim and Chito (Richard Martin) to drive him to Mexico. En route, they encounter Emily (Joan Dixon), the local schoolmarm, who recognizes Carver as the man who embezzled 100,000 dollars from her father, a banker who chose suicide rather than face disgrace. But there are plenty others aware of Carver's secret, including his unscrupulous lawyer, Bronson (John Dehner); his greedy girlfriend, Roxie (Dorothy Patrick); and Roxie's newest beau, Dave Warwick (Clayton Moore). Soon everyone is holed up in a deserted roadhouse -- whose owner, Burley (Michael Mark), has mysteriously disappeared. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

At the time of its release the RKO "B"-western Road Agent raised eyebrows, not because of its violent content, but because of its astonishing lack of violence. Saddle pals Tim (Holt) and Chito (Richard Martin) find out the hard way that usurious Milo Brand (Mauritz Hugo) is charging exorbitant rates to the local ranchers for access to a private road. As a means to thwart the profiteer, Tim and Chito pose as bandits, the better to rob from the rich (Brand) and give to the poor (Everybody Else). The feminine interest is handled by Noreen Nash and Dorothy Patrick, while the very mild villainy is handled by Bob Wilke and Tom Tyler. Road Agent was slightly more successful financially than Tim Holt's first 1952 western Trail Guide, but not enough to elicit cheers at the RKO stockholder's meeting. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Saddle Legion stars RKO Radio's resident cowboy hero Tim Holt. As in most of his postwar vehicles, Holt is teamed with Irish-Mexican laugh-spinner Chito Rafferty (Richard Martin). This time, Dave (Holt) and Chito come to the aid of their boss, rancher Fred Warren (Cliff Clark). It seems that crooked cattle inspector Regan (Robert Livington) has falsely claimed that Warren's livestock is infected with disease, the better to steal the cows and bulls for himself and sell them for a tidy profit south of the Border. Our Heroes strive to foil Regan with the help of lady doctor Ann Rollins (Dorothy Malone). Featured in the cast of Saddle Legion is Mexican actress Movita, better known as the first wife of Marlon Brando. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Pistol Harvest starred RKO's "house cowboys" Tim Holt and Richard Martin. In this one, the two heroes are accused of killing their boss. They are saved from the hangman's noose when two other guys are arrested, but Holt feels as though justice is still not being served. On their own, Holt and Chito set about to track down the genuine killer. Joan Dixon, whose previous RKO endeavor was the tense film noir Roadblock, trods a more virtuous path as Tim Holt's romantic interest. Pistol Harvest was budgeted at $93,000, an indication that even a "B" western was a costly proposition in the postwar years. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

His Kind of Woman directed by veteran John Farrow, is a convoluted mystery thriller which tries unsuccessfully to combine slapstick comedy with excessive violence, resulting in a film that depends more on stereotypes than on plot development. Nick (Raymond Burr), is a deported gang boss who needs to get back to the United States to run his operation. Dan Miller (Robert Mitchum) is a hard-up guy, who is persuaded, both by a series of beatings and a substantial sum of money, to sell his identity to Nick. Lenore (Jane Russell) a singer, poses as a heiress, trying to marry a millionaire. They all meet up in a resort in Mexico where Nick intends to have plastic surgery to alter his looks. There, a number of double-crosses, shootings, and chases all culminate in an exciting confrontation aboard ship. His Kind of Woman, a Howard Hughes production designed to be a showcase for Jane Russell, is entertaining when viewed as a comedy. As a serious film-noir thriller, it lacks suspense and depth. However, the film has its moments, and Robert Mitchum is in his element as the loner anti-hero. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

RKO's resident cowboy star Tim Holt made his first 1950 appearance in Storm over Wyoming. Tim and his saddle pal Chito Rafferty (Richard Martin) ride smack dab into the middle of a range war. After preventing a lynching, Our Heroes try to get to the bottom of all the trouble. What we know, but they don't, is that sheep-owner Rawlins (Bill Kennedy) is playing one side against another. Featured in the cast is Richard Powers, who as "Tom Keene" had starred in his own RKO western series in the 1930s. Storm over Wyoming is another directorial feather in the cap of the talented (and underrated) Lesley Selander. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Tim Holt and Richard Martin, RKO's resident western good guys, are back in Dynamite Pass. Usually cast as cowpunchers, Holt and Martin are construction workers Ross and Chito this time out. Someone is trying to prevent honest road builder Dan (Regis Toomey) from completing his job, and that someone is his unscrupulous rival Thurber (John Dehner), the owner of a profitable toll road. Had Thurber waited a few years, he could have found a job on the Pennsylvania turnpike. As it stands, however, Ross and Chito must stop Thurber before he destroys the road project permanently. Dynamite Pass is distinguished by better-than-usual performances from all concerned. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Arizona rodeo champs Dave Saunders (Tim Holt) and Chito Rafferty (Richard Martin) head for Oro Grande, CO, to witness the marriage of their friend Tug Bailey (William Phipps) to Easterner Jane Whipple (Elaine Riley). But Bailey, a successful prospector, is in trouble with claim jumpers, notably Gypsy Avery (Veda Ann Borg) and her husband John (Robert Shayne), who don't shy away from murder to get what they want. Although accused of a killing actually committed by Gypsy and on the run from the law, Dave and Chito pin down the Avery gang near Tug's claim and the score is settled in a final shootout. The Rider From Tucson was filmed at Lone Pine, CA. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

Tim Holt's second RKO western for 1949 was Mysterious Desperado. Once more teamed with Richard Martin as his saddle pal Chito, Tim rides into a sleepy California town, where Chito hopes to claim his uncle's estate. Tim decides to stick around and investigate when it turns out that Uncle was murdered. The number-one suspect is the victim's son (Edward Norris), but if this were true, the movie would be over in 15 minutes. A clue: when in doubt, always look towards the Evil Land Developers. Director Leslie Selander also contributed to the screenplay of Mysterious Desperado. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Another of RKO's profitable Tim Holt western series, Rustlers costars Holt with his popular sidekick Richard Martin (as Chico Rafferty). Holt and Martin are arrested by sheriff Harry Shannon, who accuses them of being members of a vicious rustling gang. Actually Shannon is the head of the operation; he hopes to throw suspicion off himself by framing Our Heroes for the crime. Holt and Martin bust out of jail, prove their innocence, and fix Shannon's wagon. Rustlers was one of a handful of Holt westerns directed by Lesley Selander, later a minor favorite of auteur critics. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

RKO's resident cowboy stars Tim Holt and Richard "Chito" Martin were back in 1949's Riders of the Range. Hired on as ranch hands, Kansas (Holt) and Chito come to the aid of ranch owner Dusty (Jacqueline White), whose brother (Robert Clarke) has been led astray by a crooked gambler (Reed Hadley). As had happened in so many previous RKO oaters, Our Heroes are accused of murder, but manage to break jail in time to collar the real culprit. No, the "mystery" villain isn't the gambler, since he was the murder victim (without giving away the ending, here's a clue: keep an eye on that former cowboy hero who in this film heads the supporting cast). Riders of the Range was the first Tim Holt vehicle to lose money for RKO, an indication of the audience erosion caused by that upstart TV medium. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Tim Holt stars in Gun Smugglers, stretching his range by playing a character named Tim Holt. Our Hero, once again teamed with wisecracking Chico Rafferty (Richard Martin), is working on behalf of the government. His quarry: A gang of mercenary criminals who steal weapons from the US Army, then sell their contraband to sinister Enemy Agents (most of whom wear baggy suits and drink vodka). There's a surprise in store for Holt when he puts his trust in a small boy (Gary Gray), who turns out to be a member of the gang! Tim Holt's leading lady in Gun Smugglers is the up and coming Martha Hyer, in her sixth film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi