Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1941)

PARAMOUNT Reviews of 5 in Western Riock 'RIDERS OF THE TIMBERLINE' OUTSTANDING HOPALONG ACTIONER Rates • © + In ac'Ion snots; also a fair Paramount. 59 Minutes. William Boyd, Brad King, Andy Clyde, J. Farrell MacDonald, Eleanor Stewart, Victor Jory, Anna Q. Nilsson, Tom Tyler, Edward Keane, Hal Taliaferro, Mickey Eissa. Directed by Lesley Selander. A plentitude of action, a new setting and an above-average supporting cast combine to make this western outstanding among the 1911-42 "Hopalong Cassidy" series. Undoubtedly George Sherman has maintained his high standing as a western producer by his endeavor to get his star away from stereotyped stories and backgrounds. The story of "Riders of the Timberline" is laid dualler for naborhoods in the lumber country of the Northwest and Hoppy's adventures include a thrilling ride on a log suspended by cable above a huge dam, a fast escape by rapidly-moving cable car from a pursuing railroad crew and an exciting free-for-all between rival lumberjack gangs in a village street. There's also shooting and fist fights in abundance. With Victor Jory and Tom Tyler as additional cast names and the veteran Anna Q. NiLsson's return to excite interest, this should do excellent business in action spots and make a fair dualler as well. Hoppy, California and Johnny arrive in the Northwest only to discover that a friendly lumber camp owner has been having labor troubles due to underhanded methods employed by an Eastern magnate who hopes to gain control. When the lumber crew 'TWILIGHT ON THE TRAIL' WEAKEST OF THE GROUP Rates 9 9 — where series clicks Paramount. 56 Minutes. William Boyd, Brad King, Andy Clyde, Jack Rockwell, Wanda McKay, Robert Kent, Tom London, Frank Austin, Clem Fuller. Directed by Howard Bretherton. This offers less entertainment value than any of the other Hopalongs in this first block of five. There is the fine outdoor photography and the standard Sherman production, but the story and action hardly hold up for feature length running time. Padded considerably with Andy Clyde's familiar hoke comedy and three song numbers, "Twilight on the Trail" will disappoint followers of the series. It moves slowly until the finale when there is usual gun fight behind the same quits, a gang called the "fighting forty" arrives from the west to help Hoppy get the logs through on schedule. After the railroad track is destroyed, a cable car to carry logs is built and, despite a last-minute attempt to dynamite the dam, Hoppy and his men catch the criminals red-handed. The stock players of the series are all competent. Tom Tyler, now one of Republic's Three Mesquiteers, is excellent as a villainous lumberjack, Eleanor Stewart decorates a few scenes and J. Farrell MacDonald and Anna Q. Nilsson give good performances in dramatic roles Russell Harlan's photography is splendid and "The Fighting Forty" is a stirring marching song. LEYENDECKER old rocks and a suspenseful shooting affair in a tunnel. The plot has Boyd, King and Clyde posing as detectives from the East with British accents and dude clothes, arriving to solve the mystery of disappearing cattle. They soon revert to their western togs and expose the rustlers and their leader. Performances and direction ordinary. NONAMAKER 'OUTLAWS OF THE DESERT' EXCITING HOPALONG ACTION IN ARABIAN SETTING Rates • • in action spots Paramount, 66 Minutes. William Boyd, Brad King, Andy Clyde, Jean Phillips, Forrest Stanley, Luli Deste, Duncan Renaldo, Jean Del Val, Nina Guilbert, Albert Morin, Mickey Eissa, George Lewis, George Woolsey, Jamiel Hasson. Directed by Howard Bretherton. Hopalong Cassidy switches his adventures from the western plains to the Arabian sands in "Outlaws of the Desert" and the result makes an exciting and original entry in this popular series. The change of scene, following the ranch opening, is accomplished too swiftly, perhaps, but the desert sands and the Arabian streets see just as many swift chases and as much fast gun-play as any recent Hoppy film. The costumes and the Oriental settings are authentic-appearing and colorful and some feminine intrigue by a glamorous siren is a novelty many will enjoy. Although a few dyed-in-the-wool western fans may miss the cowboy backgrounds, the average follower of the series 'STICK TO YOUR GUNS' ROUTINE ENTRY IN SERIES Rates • • Paramount. 61 Minutes. William Boyd, Brad King. Andy Clyde, Jacqueline Holt, Henry Hall, Joe Whitehead, Bob Card, Jimmy Wakely, Dick Rinehart. Directed by Lesley Selander. This is just another entry in the Hopalong series. The plot is familiar and routin?, with the star posing as a card sharp and wanted man in order to promote a scrap among the members of a cattle rustling gang. It's old stuff and there isn't enough will find this action thriller enjoyable. William Boyd is well-suited to the flowing Arabian costumes he is required to wear in a few scenes, but Brad King and Andy Clyde fail to show to advantage as they do on the plains. Luli Deste is splendidly cast as an exotic siren and Forrest Stanley, silent-days leading man, returns to play a father role effectively. Jean Phillips is miscast in the role of a spoiled daughter of wealth. Howard Bretherton's direction is good. LEYENDECKER action, except for a shootin' finale, to make the fans overlook that fact. There are several songs, the usual beautiful outdoor scenery and some mild efforts at comedy by Andy Clyde. NONAMAKER 'SECRET OF THE WASTELANDS' MORE MYSTERY THAN WESTERN ACTION Rates* • — on popularity of series Paramount. 66 Minutes. William Boyd, Brad King, Andy Clyde, Barbara Britton, Douglas Fowley, Soo Young, Keith Richards, Gordon Hart, Hal Price, Earl Gunn, Ian McDonald, John Rawlings, Lee Tung Foo, Richard Loo, Roland Got. Directed by Derwin Abrahams. "Secret of the Wastelands" is a different type of western which concentrates on Oriental intrigue and mystery rather than on riding and shooting. The attempt to find an original type of western plot is a commendable one but, although the story holds the interest, it lacks the swift pace and excitement of other Hopalong Cassidy adventures. In addition Director Derwin Abrahams has neglected to inject sufficient red-blooded action to entirely satisfy the western addicts. The desert settings and photography are both excellent. Returns on this one will probably fall slightly below par for the series. Hoppy, Johnny and California, who have joined an archeological expedition to explore desert ruins, receive mysterious warnings to desist, but they disregard them. In the desert the girl member of the expedition disappears apparently without a trace. While searching for her, Hoppy discovers a hidden Chinese settlement with a valuable gold mine on its property. Finding the girl safe, Hoppy agrees to help the Chinese and, despite the schemes and gun play from a crooked lawyer and his henchmen, he files their claim to the land and leaves them in peace. Boyd is up to par. Brad King, who takes over Russell Hayden's former role of Johnny Nelson, is a handsome newcomer who sings well, but is not yet completely at ease before the camera. Andy Clyde's comedy is weak. Douglas Fowley is properly villainous and the large cast of Orientals, especially the poised and attractive Soo Young, are fine in their roles. LEYENDECKER 10 FILM BULLETIN