Jack Shannon Movies
- 1944
The Sundown Riders was the first in a brief series of "experimental" westerns, designed for the then-burgeoning 16-millimeter home-movie and classroom market. RKO contractee Russell Wade teams with "Hopalong Cassidy" alumni Jay Kirby and Andy Clyde, portraying the "Sundown Riders". Their first mission: to thwart an outlaw gang, thereby making the west safe for progressive education. Filmed in Kodachrome color, Sundown Riders is as professional-looking as possible under the circumstances, thanks to the conviviality of the stars and the surehanded director of veteran Lambert Hillyer. Alas, the 16-millimeter market was not of sufficient size and scope in 1944 to warrant a full years' worth of "Sundown Riders" epics. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Russell Wade, Jay Kirby, (more)
- 1941
Johnny Mack Brown from Alabama stretches his acting range to play the Man From Montana. The old "divide and conquer" western plotline is trotted out once more, as evil land usurpers pit homesteaders against cattlemen in a range war. Riding into this tense situation is Bob Dawson (Brown), who deduces that the man behind all the trouble is probably a highly respected member of the community. Dawson is absolutely right, but it takes a couple of brutal murders before the "mystery man" finally tips his hand. Nell O'Day, an expert horsewoman in her own right, plays the heroine, while Fuzzy Knight supplies an acceptable blend of comedy relief and rugged self-reliance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, (more)
- 1940
In this western, a retired marshal must once again put on his badge to protect his town from the vicious desperadoes that killed his girl friend's father. The girl uses her shooting prowess to assist them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, (more)
- 1940
In this exciting western, Roaring Dan is the meanest old cuss around. He and his "son" are constantly bickering. But things are not as they seem as the young man is only pretending to be Dan's son so they can find the killers of the young man's real father. Among the guilty are two women. In the end, the young hero and the killer engage in a thrilling fist fight. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, (more)
- 1940
West of Carson City remains one of the best of Johnny Mack Brown's Universal westerns. The story takes place in a gold-rush community where the locals are taken to the cleaners by duplicitious Eastern gamblers. When it becomes obvious that the local constabulary has been "bought off" by the crooks, two-fisted cattleman Jim Bannister (Brown) swings into action. The film's highlight is an outsized fistic brawl between the hero and secondary villain Breed, played by loose-limbed comic stuntman Frank Mitchell. Peggy Moran, one of Universal's most overworked ingenues, provides the nominal romantic relief. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Mack Brown, Bob Baker, (more)
- 1939
With the 1939 Johnny Mack Brown western Desperate Trails, veteran B-flick director Albert Ray set up shop at Universal. Brown and comic sidekick Fuzzy Knight are cast as Steve Hayden and Cousin Willie, on the trail of cattle rustlers. The action highlights were exciting, if a bit hard to swallow: in one sequence, the hero shoots at a gang of outlaws, one-handed, with a repeating rifle, never missing his target! Desperate Trails represented a step down for singing cowboy Bob Baker, who after a year of starring in his own series was relegated to second lead in this Brown vehicle. Also on hand is Bill Cody Jr., son of the white-stetsoned cowboy hero of the silent era. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Baker, Fuzzy Knight, (more)
- 1938
In this wartime drama, cavalry private Dennis Murphy purchases a nervous horse, Sergeant, after it is deemed unfit for military service. With patience and love, Murphy trains his horse into a champion and later proves his worth by sneaking the steed into England where he enters him in the Grand National. He wins. The plucky private also wins the affection of the colonel's daughter. This film is based on a true story. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ronald Reagan, Mary Maguire, (more)
- 1935
In this drama, a young boy earns the trust of an especially skittish colt and they form a special bond. Trouble ensues when the lad finds himself between two arguing brothers. One wants to save the little horse and the herd he runs with, while the other brother wants to exploit the mustangs. The boy uses his charm to convince them to do it his way. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Rogers, John Farrell MacDonald, (more)
