The Last Bandit (1949) User Reviews

The Good and Bad Plummer Brothers

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 29 June 2011]

The Last Bandit which is a remake of an earlier Republic western that starred Bob Steele called The Great Robbery involves the story of Wild Bill Elliott and Forrest Tucker, a pair of outlaw brothers named Plummer who have gone their separate ways. Elliott has left their Ozark turf and gone west to Nevada and now works for a railroad express company making an honest living. But when Tucker hears that he figures he's got an inside man for a really big score. He brings the whole gang with him from Missouri to Nevada and that includes Adrian Booth who flirts between the two brothers.

Still a film aimed at the juvenile trade, The Last Bandit is a great deal more intricately plotted than most westerns out of Republic Studios. Herbert J. Yates even splurged for a color process called TruColor and the DVD I have it shows it has aged well or been nicely restored. The color may make this the most expensive Wild Bill Elliott western ever done.

Such stalwarts as Jack Holt, Andy Devine, Virginia Brissac, Martin Garralaga, and Grant Withers are all in the cast in roles suited to them. Charles Middleton the famous Ming the Merciless makes his farewell appearance in The Last Bandit as a circuit riding preacher at the beginning of the film. But the one to watch is Minna Gombell who plays the proprietress of the saloon where all the plots are hatched and she's sitting on the nest. The film also hints ever so gently at her real profession as madam of a bordello, also unusual for a film marketed to juveniles.

The final 20 minutes or so deals with the robbery and Elliott's attempt to foil same. It was expertly done and a close run thing.

The Last Bandit is definitely a must for Wild Bill Elliott fans.

Brother, Can You Spare a Crime?

[bsmith5552 · 7/10 · 21 September 2017]

"The Last Bandit" is a Trucolor "A" list western from the western factory, Republic Pictures. It's a good brother versus bad brother story.

Frank and Jim Plummer (William "don't call me Wild Bill" Elliot, Forrest Tucker) are wanted criminals from Missouri in the James Brothers vein. Frank has reformed and changed his name to Norris working for railroad owner Mort Pemberton (Jack Holt). Jim is about to be married to Kate Foley (Adrian Booth - aka Lorna Gray) when slimy Ed Bagley (Grant Withers) talks her into going to Nevada to participate in the robbing of a gold train on which Frank is the guard.

Saloon Madam Winnie McPhail (Mima Gombell) is the mastermind behind the plot. Kate is assigned the task of winning over Frank to their cause. But, darn it, she falls in love with him. Then Jim and his gang show up. Frank refuses to go along and is despondent over what Kate has done. Jim proceeds with the robbery with Frank being shot during the process.

The gang hides the train in an abandoned mine cave by using a long forgotten railway spur. Frank recovers and pursues the train (on foot, mind you) to the cave. He learns of Kate's true feelings. After blasting the safe, the whole front of the mountain under which the train sits, collapses. A posse headed by Pemberton, Casey Brown (Andy Devine) and the sheriff ( Hank Bell with his trade mark mustache) close in and...............................................

Republic employed some of the best stunt men in the business. There's a bang up fight between Elliott and Tucker's characters that is as good as you'll ever see. The Lydecker brothers were equally adept at providing special effects. Witness their miniatures of the train backing into the mountain cave and the collapse of the mountain.

Elliott plays his role straight and shows little emotion although he does get to kiss the leading lady, a feat he would never have accomplished is his "B" movie days. It's interesting to note that Andy Devine refers to him as "son" even though he was actually a year younger than Elliott. Tucker turns in his usual excellent performance as the bad brother. Grant Withers had once been a leading man and makes a swarthy villain here.

Other recognizable players in the cast include the likes of Stanley Andrews, Martin Garralaga, George Chesebro, Steve Clark, Rex Lease, Gene Roth, Emmett Lynn and Charles Middleton in various parts.

A good western.

Good Republic Pictures stuff

[searchanddestroy-1 · 8/10 · 8 August 2021]

The highlight in in this western is the very inventive train robbery, so exciting and never shown before, as far as I know. For the rest, nothng special but a good time waster pulled by solid performances. Bill Elloitt and Forrest Tucker, Republic "house" stars were unavoidable in this movie, only Rod Cameron or Vera Ralston were missing.

Solid

[dougdoepke · 23 February 2008]

Solid A-Western from lowly Republic Pictures. Unusually good performances from a larger than average cast. True, Elliot doesn't get much chance to show his special brand of ornery, but Tucker, Booth and Withers (Bagley) show their best stuff, and even Devine manages not to get too cute. Some good touches-- the hillbilly break-dancer, the scrawny comic-drunk, and the old-lady mastermind. Also, the bewhiskered guy playing the sheriff doesn't get many lines, but sure adds color and an authentic look. Then too, the plot of two brothers on opposite sides of the law and the girl, is saved from cliché by the imaginative train sequences, including a great avalanche effect from the best in the business, the Lydecker brothers.

Obviously Republic popped a bundle considering the scenic location shots and the train expense. Actually, my favorite scene is not an action-filled one; it's the office scene where the bigshots try to sort out blame for the gold robbery. It's really a special touch because most Westerns would not bother with talk about how robbery affects business types and high finance. Making one a Mexican is also an imaginative addition. The only reason I tuned in is because I'm an Elliot fan, but I've got to admit the movie was much better than expected. Old Joe Kane may not have been much of an artist, but as a director of Westerns, he never made a boring one.

Bill Elliott acting peaceable as usual

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 29 January 2022]

About to marry Jim Plummer, Kate Foley runs off to Nevada when Ed Bagley convinces her a quick fortune can be made robbing gold shipments that are being transported by the railroad. In Bannock City she meets reformed-bandit Frank Plummer, posing as Frank Norris, brother of Jim Plummer, who has being going straight and working as an express shipment guard. Jim also shows up and plans a robbery by stealing a train and hiding it in an abandoned tunnel. The two brothers are on opposite sides of the law with the now-reformed Kate caught in the middle.

Colourful western with good production values stars Will Bill Elliot, a reformed outlaw who is now guarding a gold train, and of course, his brother - the underrated Forest Tucker - is trying to rob it. Soon they lock heads. Hence some neat conflicts gets aroused. There's some good nifty pace and romance, however the film really picks up mid-way with the train sequence and the robbery. Overall engages but second half is the best part. There's some interesting characters played by Lorna Grey and Minna Gombell.

"There's two sides to every pancake."

[classicsoncall · 5/10 · 6 September 2004]

Two brothers find themselves on opposite sides of the law in this early "Trucolor" film from the Republic studio. Frank Plummer (Bill Elliott) is building a life and putting his days as a member of the Plummer Gang behind him. Brother Jim (a young Forrest Tucker) is staging a train robbery, and intends to use his brother's influence to pull off the job. In between them is Kate Foley (Adrian Booth), who's favor goes back and forth between the two until her conscience wins out in the end.

This is a formulaic Western yarn with not a lot going for it, except for the Trucolor package. Andy Devine is on hand as Deputy Casey Brown, and he's allowed to play it fairly straight, backing up Elliott's integrity throughout the film. Lots of cliché's here, like "Open up, or I'll blast ya out" from Forrest Tucker on the hijacked train.

For an interesting goof, pay attention when proprietor of the Square Deal Casino, Winnie McPhail opens a closet door - one views what appears to be an outdoor tree line on the horizon.

For Wild Bill Elliott fans, I would recommend one of his earlier Red Ryder films; you'll find it more entertaining. This one gets a 5 out of 10, primarily for the filming done in color.

Not Elliot's best

[adverts · 5/10 · 11 December 2023]

The Last Bandit is a pretty standard western that feels a lot longer than its running time. Bill Elliot did better in the 50s in his Allied Artists and Monogram westerns with Thomas Carr and Lewis Collins directing. Some of those westerns were a bit more complex....or had better dialogue...and better direction.

The cast is very good and the acting is certainly not an issue. If you like action, there is enough to keep you satisfied. I just never really cared about the proceedings.

Joe Cane directed soooo many films - and he did them quickly and efficiently - but this one never really goes anywhere interesting.

Above average Western, plenty of action.

[bux · 16 June 2000]

Another fine outing from Republic and Bill Elliott. Tucker is the crooked brother that tries to lure Elliott back into a life of crime by robbing a train full of gold. The TRUCOLOR is great and so is the supporting cast featuring Andy Divine. Plenty of action, this one moves along swiftly.