Betty Burbridge Movies
Like her spiritual sister Adele Buffington, American screenwriter Betty Burbridge worked almost exclusively in westerns, from 1926 until the late 1940s. At Republic, Burbridge was principal writer for the Gene Autry vehicles, and also contributed to the "Three Mesquiteers" efforts starring John Wayne. Moving to Monogram in the 1940s, she scripted several of that studio's Cisco Kid entries. Among Betty Burbridge's handful of non-western assignments was the amiable Twentieth Century imitation Honeymoon Limited (1935). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1950
Gene Autry takes a page out of Lady for a Day in this television western initially released on September 17, 1950. Having majored in animal husbandry, Easterner Mary Darrow (Wendy Waldron) is ready to take command of her father's ranch. But unbeknownst to Mary -- or so everyone assumes -- old Whopper Darrow (Francis Ford) is a down-and-out ex-con and "his" ranch actually belongs to Gene Autry. Gene plays along with the charade in his usual good-humored manner, until, that is, Whopper finds himself in trouble with the Bolton gang, who not only robbed the local bank but is now blackmailing the old geezer for the combination to Autry's safe. Gene sings his own "Pretty Mary" in this 30 minutes television series entry. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1949
Daring Cabellero was the third of producer Phil Krasne's Cisco Kid "B" westerns. Duncan Renaldo and Leo Carrillo return as Cisco and Pancho, roles they'd carry over into a popular 1950s TV series. Once more stumbling into a dangerous situation, Cisco and Pancho risk their own necks by saving an innocent man from hanging. Eventually, our heroes learn that a corrupt political machine is behind the killing. Leading lady Kippie Valez is cast as "herself," which must have meant more in 1949 than it does today. Unlike the subsequent TV series, Daring Caballero does not end with the leading actors reciting their standard mantra "Oh, Pancho! Oh, Cisco!" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Duncan Renaldo, Leo Carrillo, (more)
- 1948
In this above-average western, a villainous land grabber attempts to force horse ranchers to sell their ranches so he can become king of the horse market. One stubborn rancher refuses to relent and his killed. His two surviving sisters then continue the fight. They are soon assisted by a passing drifter who ends up falling for one of them. In the end a gunfight between the good and bad guys ensues. Also included in the story are scenes from an exciting fight between two wild stallions. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Arlen, Patricia Morison, (more)
- 1946
As usual, the title of this Sunset Carson western from Republic Pictures means absolutely nothing. William Bonney is nowhere to be found, nor is he mentioned. Instead, Carson plays "Sunset Carson," aka "The Kid," a ranger only pretending to be an outlaw in order to infiltrate the notorious Marshall gang. But after investigating the murder of a fellow ranger, Sunset sides with pretty "gang leader" Ann Marshall (Peggy Stewart) against the real culprit, Matt Conroy (Roy Barcroft), a nasty banker attempting to take over Ann's spread by railroading employer Peewee (Russ Whiteman). Although no actor, handsome Sunset Carson looked great on a horse, had a way with a fist and didn't bump into anything along the way. Like all the Republic cowboys, Carson was of course helped immeasurably by the studio's roster of stalwart supporting players, especially Barcroft, Tom London (here playing a friend instead of a foe for a change) and Peggy Stewart. The latter, who was to appear as Carson's leading lady no less than eight times, helped the former rodeo rider become a better thespian "by having him count the dots between his lines." ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1946
With a catchy title song co-written by the film's star and director, this Jimmy Wakely music Western got off to a lilting start. The film, however, quickly turned out to be just another minor entry in the very derivative Monogram/Wakely series. The former radio crooner and his usual sidekick Lee "Lasses" White, get in trouble this time with an unscrupulous cattle king (Stanley Blystone) and his even more unscrupulous foreman (Terry Frost), both of whom are in league with -- you guessed it -- an unscrupulous railroad man (Jack Ingram). Jennifer Holt, daughter of legendary action star Jack Holt and one of the busiest B-Western heroines of the '40s, added feminine appeal, and rustic comedian White contributed with three songs -- I'm Casting My Lasso, If You Knew What It Meant to Be Lonesome, both co-written with Wakely, and the solo effort Out on the Western Range. Although no Gene Autry or Roy Rogers, Jimmy Wakely was popular enough in the hinterlands for his series to last through 1949. He later owned his own recording label. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Republic Pictures trotted out some of their popular Western stars -- including Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Trigger, Allan Lane and Don "Red" Barry -- for this backstage musical starring the company's newest singing cowboy, Monte Hale. To top it all off, the studio "inaugurated" Trucolor, which, in reality, was the old Magnacolor system under a more enticing name. Hale played himself, a cowboy seeking employment with "Globe Pictures" along with such other newcomers as little Bobby Blake (later Robert Blake) and his dancing horse Pardner. Monte and the horse are hired to appear in the newest Rod Mason (John Dehner) Western extravaganza, but the self-important Mason grows increasingly jealous of Monte's success and engages in a bit of sabotage. Pardner is slightly injured as a result, and although he is wanted for a series of his own, Monte takes time out to heal the animal's wounds. Mason immediately accuses his rival of not only kidnapping the horse but mistreating him as well. Assisted by Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage, Monte eventually forces Rod and his henchman Ace (Fred Graham) to admit their culpability in Pardner's injuries, doing so the oldfashioned way -- by brute force. In addition to offering an enticing glimpse behind the scenes at Republic Pictures in its heyday, Out California Way also included such songs as Boogie Woogie Cowboy, Rose of Santa Fe, Little Bronc of Mine, and the title tune. Columnist and occasional screenwriter Jimmy Starr appeared briefly as himself. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monte Hale, Adrian Booth, (more)
- 1946
In this his second starring Western, Republic Pictures' laconic singing cowboy Monte Hale played, of all things, a cartoonist. Hale's popular strip -- "The Adventures of Outlaw, King of Stallions" -- is based on his own observations of a herd of wild horses. Learning that Outlaw is not merely a figment of a cartoonist's imagination, rodeo rider Kay North (Adrian Booth) arrives in Rainbow Valley hoping to capture the animal. Using subterfuge, the girl gains the trust of Monte and his kid sister Clarabelle (Jean Barton) while an associate (Bud Geary) kidnaps Outlaw. Monte and Clarabelle use the comic strip to alert the world of the horse's disappearance, and later Hale's sidekick, Locoweed Larson (Emmett Lynn), spots a rodeo horse looking suspiciously like Outlaw. With the news that Outlaw's absence has caused several mares to be killed by wildcats, a repentant Kay returns the animal to the wilderness. In between saving wild stallions, Hale performs Ridin' Down the Trail, by Eddie Cherkose and Cy Feuer, The Man in the Moon Is a Cowhand, by Roy Rogers, and Ghost Town Jamboree, by Glen Spencer. Formerly known as Lorna Gray, leading lady Adrian Booth would appear in eight Westerns opposite Monte Hale. Like Home on the Range, Hale's starring debut, Man from Rainbow Valley was released by Republic in the company's own color system, Magnacolor (later known as Trucolor). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monte Hale, Adrian Booth, (more)
- 1946
Making his starring debut, Republic cowboy Monte Hale strums his guitar and sings Over the Rainbow Trail by Ken Carson, The Sons of the Pioneers and Down at the Old Hoe-Down by Gordon Foster, and Take Your Time by Glenn Spencer; on the last of these, he is accompanied by Bob Nolan. In between all the warbling, Hale finds enough time to prove that little Bobby Blake's pet bear isn't the one causing death and destruction among the area's cattle. For some reason, Republic chose the Hale series to launch their newly developed Magnacolor scheme, thus making the rather wooden Hale the first of the studio's illustrious cowboys to appear in (almost) natural hues. Adrian Booth (formerly Lorna Gray) made the first of seven appearances opposite Hale as little Bobby's sister, antagonistic at first toward the hero but falling properly in love with him before the fade-out. Little Bobby Blake (formerly Mickey Gubitosi of Our Gang fame) later became Robert Blake and the star of television's Baretta. Monte Hale never quite accepted the tag of "singing cowboy," and his series, which lasted until 1950, became increasingly less musical with each new entry. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monte Hale, Adrian Booth, (more)
- 1945
In this western, a wagonmaster stops a greedy newspaper editor from buying up an entire territory. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1945
Most cowboy leading men have only a single leading lady: in Utah, Roy Rogers is literally surrounded by delectable females, including his perennial movie (and real-life) sweetheart Dale Evans. The plot concerntrates on actress Dorothy Bryant (Evans), who inherits a ranch in (where else?) Utah. Hoping to raise money for her upcoming musical show, Dorothy intends to sell the ranch, but foreman Roy Rogers doesn't want her to. Joining Rogers in his efforts to block the sale is cantankerous neighboring rancher Gabby (George "Gabby" Hayes). After innumerable complications, Dorothy realizes that Rogers is right-and manages to have her cake and eat it too by staging her musical revue at the ranch itself. Appearing as Dorothy's entourage are such appealing Republic starlets as Peggy Stewart, Jill Browning and Beverly Loyd. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, (more)
- 1945
The second of Monogram's 1945 trio of "Cisco Kid" westerns, In Old New Mexico stars Duncan Renaldo as Cisco and Martin Garralaga as Pancho. The plot concentrates on heroine Ellen (Gwen Kenyon), a nurse accused of murder. Gallant Cisco "kidnaps" Ellen from the authorities, then sets about to prove her innocence, all with the cooperation of a sympathetic sheriff. Cisco and Pancho stage an elaborate ruse to force a confession out of the genuine killer, which in real life would of course be thrown out of court-but whoever said that these films had anything to do with real life? After a third "Cisco Kid" entry, South of the Rio Grande, Duncan Renaldo would temporarily leave the series, returning with a vengeance three years later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Duncan Renaldo, Martin Garralaga, (more)
- 1945
After several years' dormancy, the "Cisco Kid" western-film series returned to the screen with Monogram's The Cisco Kid Returns. Duncan Renaldo, actually Rumanian, starred as the Mexican "Robin Hood of the Old West", with Martin Garralaga as his corpulent sidekick Pancho. In the tradition of 20th Century-Fox's earlier "Cisco" efforts, our hero comes to the aid of an orphaned child, clears himself of a kidnapping charge, and proves that a "solid citizen" is in fact a criminal mastermind. After a trio of Cisco Kid films, Renaldo left the series, to be replaced by Gilbert Roland; but when time came in 1950 for a Cisco Kid TV series, Renaldo was back in the saddle again, this time with Leo Carrillo as Pancho. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Duncan Renaldo, Martin Garralaga, (more)
- 1945
That veteran reprobate Roy Barcroft plays yet another outlaw in The Cherokee Flash, a perfectly acceptable B-Western from Republic Pictures, but Barcroft's title character reforms this time and even adopts a young orphan. Years later, the Cherokee Flash, now known as Jeff Carson, is visited by former gang members who promptly blackmail him into doing their bidding. Carson refuses, of course, but lands in jail anyway, much to the consternation of now-grown foster son Sunset (Sunset Carson) and grizzled sidekick Utah (Tom London). The sheriff (Bud Geary), however, is working for Mr. Big who, unbeknownst to the Carsons, is Jeff's lawyer, Mark Butler (John Merton). Happily, the new doctor in town (Frank Jaquet) and his pretty daughter (Linda Stirling) discover evidence that will clear Jeff once and for all. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1944
In this western, two cowboys go to buy fresh horses for the cavalry and end up taking on two badguys and a female vigilante. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1943
Inasmuch as western star Charles Starrett gained screen fame as the Robin Hood-like "Durango Kid", it stands to reason that Starrett would head the cast of Robin Hood of the Range. The star plays Steve Marlowe, the foster son of railroad manager Henry Marlowe (Kenneth McDonald). When it becomes apparent that the railroad is using underhanded methods to drive local homesteaders off their land, Steve adopts the guise of "The Vulcan", a legendary champion of justice. Of interest is the fact that the hero hasn't any "love interest"; the leading lady is Steve's sister, played by Kay Harris. The film's 54 minutes are fleshed out by the musical interludes of the Jimmy Wakely Trio. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Starrett, Arthur Hunnicutt, (more)
- 1943
This late entry in Republic's long-running "Three Mesquiteers" series stars Bob Steele, Tom Tyler and Jimmy Dodd as, respectively, Tucson Smith, Stony Brooke and Lullaby Johnson. This time out, the Mesquiteers try to help young Tim Clay (John James), who's been framed for murder by villains who want to gain possession of Clay's ranch property. While Tim sits helplessly in jail, the bad guys move in, forcing the neighboring ranchers to pay exorbitant prices for Clay's water supply. As usual, the Mesquiteers don't stage a counteroffensive until they've got enough legal evidence to do so, but when they do swing into action, watch out! Not the best of the "Three Mesquiteers" epics, Santa Fe Scouts is also far from the worst. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Steele, Tom Tyler, (more)
- 1943
In this western, a decent Indian agent loses his job and his good name after someone steals the government money he was to deliver to a tribe. Because he cannot bear to see the people starve over the long winter, he begins searching for the robbers. He does so by looking for the unusual coins that had been included in the payroll. After he suffers through a series of conflicts with the outlaws, the hero is rescued by the Indians he has been trying to protect. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Starrett, Arthur Hunnicutt, (more)
Not quite as exciting as it should be, Stardust on the Sage is still a serviceable Gene Autry vehicle. This time, Gene is teamed up with young Jeff Drew (Bill Henry), who tries to sell mining stock to the local cattlemen. Meanwhile, villain Pearson (Emmet Vogan) plots to steal the mine from Gene and Jeff, using a veritable battalion of muscular hooligans. The finale is a kaleidescope of fistfights, gunfire and dynamite blasts-and none too soon, given the slow-moving passages which preceded it. The female contingent in Stardust on the Sage is handled by former child star Edith Fellows and serial heroine Louise Currie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
- 1941
Thunder Over the Prairie was the second of Charles Starrett's "Dr. Steve Monroe" westerns. The unorthodox plot is set in motion by an evil land baron (Donald Curtis) who uses the local Indians as laborers, then finds legal methods to cheat them of their pay. Dr. Steve Monroe (Starrett), the reservation physician, does his best to thwart the villain by peaceable methods. When all else fails, the good doctor shows himself quite adept with both fists and six-guns. The heroine is played by Eileen O'Hearn, a Columbia contractee never given an opportunity to reach her full potential, while the comedy relief is provided along surprisingly intelligent lines by Cliff Edwards, cast as a mail-order medico. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Starrett, Cliff Edwards, (more)
- 1941
Officially a Charles Starrett western, Riders of the Badlands divides its running time fairly evenly between Starrett and second-billed Russell Hayden. The plot concerns a Texas Ranger named Collins (Starrett) and his lookalike, notorious outlaw Langdon (also Starrett). When his wife is killed by Langdon's minions, Barton (Hayden) vows to avenge her death. He mistakenly arrests Collins and sentences the lawman to hang, but our hero manages to escape in time and bring the genuine Langdon to justice. Cliff Edwards costars as a singing dentist (!) who tries but fails to provide an alibi for the hapless Collins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Starrett, Russell Hayden, (more)
- 1940
With Under Texas Skies, Republic's Three Mesquiteers underwent a slight change of personnel. Robert Livingston remained as Stony Brooke, but now Bob Steele was seen as Tucson Smith and Rufe Davis assumed the role of Lullaby Joslin. The story opens as Stony returns to his home town, only to discover that his sheriff father has been murdered by person or persons unknown. The new sheriff (Henry Brandon) resents the arrival of the Mesquiteers, going so far as to frame Tucson on a murder charge. It doesn't take long for Stony to figure out who was responsible for his dad's killing-and to bring real law 'n' order back to the community. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Livingston, Bob Steele, (more)
Gene Autry rescues a young boy from a gang of kidnappers in this delightful musical-Western from Republic Pictures. Having lost their jobs with the rodeo, Gene and sidekick Frog Millhouse (Smiley Burnette) are heading west when they discover a young British stowaway, Ronnie Willoughby (Clifford Severn Jr.), who mistakenly assumes that the two cowboys represent his father's large "Rancho San Quentin." Gene, however, doesn't have the heart to tell the boy that San Quentin is no ranch at all, but the state penitentiary. Along the way, the merry little group picks up a couple of pretty hitchhikers, runaway society bride-to-be Joyce Halloway (June Storey) and her kid sister, Patsy (Mary Lee), and they, too, keep mum about "Rancho San Quentin." In fact, Joyce nobly arranges for her own family ranch to be renamed after the prison lest the boy should learn the truth. Wrongly assuming that Gene and company are kidnappers, Ronnie's father, Frederick (Lester Matthews), makes a daring escape from San Quentin but Gene manages to make it appear as if the escapee is returning from a long and arduous cattle drive. The real kidnappers turn up soon enough, of course, and after the inevitable chase, Willoughby's establishes his innocence and Gene agrees to stay on as Joyce's foreman. Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and girl singer Mary Lee perform no less than seven musical numbers, including the title tune, "The Singing Hills," "Give out With a Song," Headin' for the Wild Open Spaces," and "Wooing of Kitty MacFuty." A television print entitled Keep Rollin' also exists, but without many of the songs and all the Mexican cantina production numbers. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
Unique among the Gene Autry starrers of 1940, Ride Tenderfoot Ride actually contains more action than music. In this one, Autry falls heir to a meat-packing firm which has been targetted for a hostile takeover by the villains. June Storey plays Ann Randolph, owner of a rival meat concern, who is unaware until the last reel that her subordinates have been plotting to ruin or murder our hero. By the time Gene and Ann decide to merge-both professionally and romantically---the bad guys have been soundly trounced by Autry and his saddle pal Frog (Smiley Burnette). Legendary Broadway entertainer Joe Frisco is somewhat wasted in a minor role as a stuttering haberdasher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
East meets west in this musical western starring singing cowboy Gene Autry. After the death of its owner, the financially troubled Rancho Grande is left to Kay Dodge (June Storey) and her siblings Patsy (Mary Lee) and Tom, (Dick Hogan), three wealthy young socialites from the East who are as unfamiliar with life on the range as they are with hard work and financial responsibility. Ranch foreman Gene (Gene Autry) has the unenviable task of giving the Dodges a crash course in running a ranch, and pitches in to help when they decide to turn the cattle operation into a "Dude Ranch" resort. Kay's lawyer Emory Benson (Ferris Taylor) encourages her in her plans, not knowing that he's also working with a group of farmers who are poised to take over the ranch if it fails; in order to hedge his bets, Benson hires a group of ne'er-do-wells to destroy the ranch's new irrigation system, and Gene and his fellow cowpokes must stand up and fight to protect their land. Rancho Grande includes musical numbers from Mary Lee and Smiley Burnette as well as Gene Autry. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, (more)
- 1939
Forever keeping apace of current headlines, Republic's "Three Mesquiteers" series came up with the 1939 entry Wyoming Outlaw. The story is based on a true incident, wherein a disgruntled young lawbreaker took refuge in the mountains of Wyoming, successfully eluding a large posse for several days. The press had a field day with the story, labelling the fugitive a "Modern Robin Hood"-at least until he was shot down by a well-armed waiter. The movie version of this incident finds hotheaded Will Parker (Donald Barry), the son of recently fired highway worker Luke Parker (Charles Middleton), thrown into jail for violating the local game laws. Busting out, Parker scurries to the hills, hotly pursued by our heroes Stony Brooke (John Wayne), Tucson Smith (Ray Corrigan) and Rusty Joslin (Raymond Hatton). Not altogether unsympathetic to Parker, the Mesquiteers set about to capture the film's real villain, corrupt politician Balsinger (Leroy Mason), after the fugitive meets his fate at the hands of gun-toting gas-station attendant Newt (David Sharpe). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Ray "Crash" Corrigan, (more)
