Jack Sparks Movies
Although it revolves around a crucial issue in the history of California, this subpar drama misses its targets somehow. The time is 1848 in California when an American justice system has to try Californians who are either Mexican in culture and speech and heritage, or not. Hatfield Carnes (Dennis Hopper) is a sorry example of the "not" side of the equation, and he is on trial for murdering a Mexican. The Mexican-Americans who back California's U.S. government are anxious to see if American justice is racially and ethnically blind. In the meantime, there is a romance or two to divert attention as Hatfield's accusers get ready for the trial. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Wayne, Yvonne Craig, (more)
- 1950
Showdown is the story of a trail boss named Shad Jones (Bill Elliott) whose younger brother is murdered. Knowing that a member of a wagon train is responsible for the killing, Shad joins the train in attempt to discover who the guilty man is. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William "Wild Bill" Elliott, Marie Windsor, (more)
- 1949
Part of the Roy Rogers series, this film focuses on Roy Roger's horse, Trigger, and his infatuation with a handsome palomino mare. When Trigger discovers the mare being beaten by her lowlife owner, he kills him, leaving Rogers to take the blame. However, it seems that Trigger's new girlfriend might be unwittingly involved in some underhanded activity. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, (more)
- 1948
A Texas Ranger is once again falsely accused of murder in this above-average singing-cowboy oater from Monogram. This time, the unfortunate gent is Jimmy Wakely, who, along with his band of ex-Rangers, battle the new corrupt police force that briefly replaced the Texas Rangers corps. Unbeknownst to Commissioner Jed Brant (Steve Clark), the new State Police is actually strong-arming the local ranchers and Jimmy and his former colleagues have become a threat to this lucrative side business. The brain behind the crimes is Brant's second-in-command, Captain Barton (Marshall Reed), who plots with his henchman Hamen (Pierce Lyden) to frame Jimmy in the killing of a couple of ex-Rangers. Even Jimmy's best friends, Vic Sanders (Riley Hill), Brant's nephew, and his fiancée Sheila (Virginia Belmont) begin to suspect their friend of wrong-doings, especially after the commissioner himself is found murdered. Aided by his friend Cannonball (Dub Taylor), however, Jimmy manages to extract a confession from the slimy Hamen and the game is up. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1947
The fifth of seven "Red Ryder" westerns starring Allan Lane, Oregon Trail Scouts recounts how Red met his young sidekick, Little Beaver. Failing to acquire hunting rights on the Willamette Indian Reservation, evil Bill Hunter (Roy Barcroft) decides to kidnap Little Beaver (Robert Blake) and use the boy as leverage in future negotiations with Beaver's grandfather, Chief Running Fox (Frank Lackteen). Beaver's foster-father, The Judge (Earle Hodgins), is murdered in the ensuing fracas but the Indian boy finds a safe haven with fur trapper Red Ryder (Lane). Hunter and his men make another move to catch Little Beaver, however, but are once again foiled by Red, this time for good. Although pleased that his grandson is alive and well, Running Fox leaves it up to the child whether he wishes to stay with the tribe or remain with Red Ryder and his aunt, the Duchess (Martha Wentworth). Little Beaver chooses the latter option and a long-lasting friendship is established. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martha Wentworth
- 1946
In this western, Red Ryder rounds up a gang of horse thieves who have been stealing cavalry horses. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
