Sonora Stagecoach (Monogram) (1944)

Indian Film Actor Here In Thrilling Western Drama A man who has held a variety of jobs is Chief Thunder Cloud, most famous of the screen’s Indian actOrs who comes 2to the. 4.6 .6...% Miearer. ON. i. tc sckaiee in “Sonora Stagecoach,” the Monogram western film in which he is featured with Hoot Gibson and Bob Steele. A member of the Cherokee tribe, Thunder Cloud was born in Oklahoma, and spent his youth in Texas and Arizona, attending public schools in both states. After attending the University of Arizona he became foreman of a gold mine in the state. After this job there followed a variety of pursuits: he guided archeologists to Montezuma’s Wells and other famous ruins of the Southwest, was a bareback “rider with various rodeo shows, drove a stagecoach between Tucson and Tombstone, ran a line of wagons hauling freight and ore, and even presented a skit of Indian songs and dances on a Chautauqua circuit. Thunder Cloud entered pictures when he played a “bit” in a Wm. S. Hart film while the western star was on location in Arizona. Soon afterward the Indian went to Hollywood, and eventually. achieved recognition as the outstanding actor of his race.: Supporting the Chief, Hoot Gibson and Bob Steele in ‘Sonora Stagecoach” are Betty Miles, Rocky Camron, Glen Strange and Charlie Murray, Jr. Robert Tansey produced and directed the film for Monogram. CREDITS Produced and Directed by ROBERT TANSEY Original Story by ROBERT EMMETT Screenplay by FRANCES KAVANAUGH Film Editor JOHN C. FULLER Sound by GLEN GLENN Photography by EDWARD KULL Musical Director FRANK SANUCCI "Sonora Stagecoach’’ Fast Drama of Western Frontier (Review) A film that moves swiftly and features plenty of action is Monogram’s ‘‘Sonora Stagecoach,” latest of the adventur ous “Trail Blazers” series, which opened at the theatre last night. There are thrills galore in the many suspense-filled and dramatic situations. Hoot Gibson, Bob Steele Chief Thunder Cloud are featured as the crusading cowboys, and this popular trio have never been seen to better advantage. Betty Miles, California’s champion rodeo cowgirl, shows extraordinary skill as the hard-riding, attractive leading lady of the film. Comprising an exceptionally able supporting cast are Rocky Camron, Glen ‘Pee Wee” Strange, George Eldridge, Charlie Murray, Jr., Karl Hackett, Henry Hall and Bud Osborne. The story finds Gibson, Steele and Thunder Cloud assigned to escort Camron to Sonora to stand trial for a murder he did not commit. During the hard journey by stagecoach, the three quick-thinking cowboys manage, with the aid of Miss Miles, to fight off all attempts to wreck the coach, and trick the real murderers into a confession. But there are plenty of hair-raising moments and much riding and fast-shooting before the trio are able to accomplish the climaxing stroke. As both producer and _ director, Robert Tansey has turned out a thoroughly satisfying picture in “Sonora Stagecoach,” with all the elements of popular appeal to western fans. The original story by Robert Emmett, adapted for the screen by Frances Kavanaugh, is the basis of an absorbing film, and the photography by Edward Kull is well above par. DARING YOUNG MAN During his early years in the film capital, Hoot Gibson was one of the most daring stunt men of all time, “doubling” for many stars in such feats as crashing over a cliff on a motorcycle, riding a horse across a burning bridge, and falling from a second story window. Hoot experi enced many a close call in those days of serial thrillers. Since he has become a star he performs all his own stunts. Gibson comes to Weletiehen tee es ‘HL OCCTEH PLE) sem OY 0 ree ee in the exciting Monogram western “Sonora Stagecoach,” in which he Shares top honors with Bob Steele and Chief Thunder Cloud. CHAMP COWGIRL The Champion Cowgirl of California is pretty Betty Miles, who comes to the theatre on SAUoh penta hs in “Sonora Stagecoach,” the thrilling Monogram western drama which features Hoot Gibson, Bob Steele and Chief Thunder Cloud. Miss Miles, who demonstrates plenty of trick riding in the film, won the title for herself at a recent rodeo contest in Saugus, California. and# THE CAST Hoot....... HOOT GIBSON BOD.) SV BOB ST Ee ue Thunder Cloud. . CHIEF THUNDER CLOUD Rocky... ROCKY CAMRON Bethy ya ps BETTY MILES Paul Kenton. GLEN STRANGE ioe Daya ck Co ae -GEORGE ELDRIDGE Joe Kenton. KARL HACKETT Sheriff Hampton. . SEO Re n HENRY HALL Blackie Reed. rican eaters £3 CHARLES KING Steve:-Martin |. .......4 .BUD OSBORNE Weasel. . CHARLIE MURRAY, JR. Pop Carson JOHN BRIDGES Red........ AL FERGUSON J pre Crandall. __FORREST ‘TAYLOR Exciting Western To Open Here (Advance) The adventurous happenings of life on the western frontier for the background of “Sonora Stagecoach,” Monogram’s newest of the “Trail Blazers” series of cowboy dramas, which comes to the ....... VHEALTS ROM Ohi case Hoot Gibson, Bob Steele and Chief Thunder Cloud, featured in this fast-moving story, become the center of an exciting series of events as they strive to bring order to a western town in the control of lawless desperadoes. Most of the story takes place during an exciting stagecoach journey to Sonora, and thrilling incidents are plentiful. The leading feminine role in “Sonora Stagecoach” is played by pretty Betty Miles, California’s champion cowgirl. Heading the supporting cast are Rocky Camron, Glen “Pee Wee” Strange, George Eldridge, Karl Hackett, Henry Hall, Bud Osborne and Charlie Murray, Jr. Robert Tansey was producer and director of this exciting film, and Frances Kavanaugh wrote the screen adaptation from an original story by Robert Emmett. THE STORY (Not for Publication) The Trail Blazers, Hoot, Bob and the Chief, are assigned to take Rocky Camron, a prisoner, to Sonora for trial. Rocky has been framed; and Joe and Paul Kenton, bankezs, who have really robbed the bank and killed two men, don’t want Rocky to stand trial. Consequently, several attempts are made to kill Rocky on the road to the first relay station, but the Trail Blazers avert the tragedy. At the relay station they find Betty, who is in love with Rocky, and arrange for her to ride the stagecoach with him part of the way to Sonora, with the Trail Blazers following under cover. Steve, a henchman of the Kentons, is the driver, and knows nothing of the scheme. The gang plans to ambush the stagecoach at the Narrows, and just before the coach gets there Rocky jumps out. Steve has been instructed to slow down the coach, but Betty forces him to drive through rapidly. The Trail Blazers, now joined by Rocky, manage to capture the entire gang. Betty joins them when Red, one of the bandits, kills the driver. Sheriff Hampton sees the coach in town when it arrives with Steve, dead, and goes out to meet the Trail Blazers and bring in the prisoners. In the meantime the Trail Blazers ride into town with Rocky. A gun fight ensues and the Kentons, soon captured, confess that Rocky had been framed.