Clayton Moore, the desperado known as the Hawk, has been terrorizing the town of Wild River. Probably that's why this episode of the Charles Starrett/Durango Kid B westerns is called The Hawk Of Wild River (1952). Smiley Burnnette shows up doing tintypes, soon followed by Starrett, who plays his two-toned character with his usual aplomb.
The series was a top moneymaker among B westerns, and given the excellence of the print I saw, it's hardly surprising. Director Fred Sears blends comedy and thrills very well, and DP Fayte M. Browne shows that just because you were stuck in the B westerns didn't mean you couldn't shoot the Iverson Ranch well, whipping the camera around as the horses take a corner during the final chase. Sometimes you forget the essential competence of the staff, given the murky prints fans usually have to put up with.
Unfortunately, the B western was on its last legs. The series would last only another four movies and six months before Columbia closed the series down, and the would-be cowboy stars followed Gene Autry and Roy Rogers into TV.
The series was a top moneymaker among B westerns, and given the excellence of the print I saw, it's hardly surprising. Director Fred Sears blends comedy and thrills very well, and DP Fayte M. Browne shows that just because you were stuck in the B westerns didn't mean you couldn't shoot the Iverson Ranch well, whipping the camera around as the horses take a corner during the final chase. Sometimes you forget the essential competence of the staff, given the murky prints fans usually have to put up with.
Unfortunately, the B western was on its last legs. The series would last only another four movies and six months before Columbia closed the series down, and the would-be cowboy stars followed Gene Autry and Roy Rogers into TV.