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8/10
A film that deals with character rather than action
zebulonguy30 June 2007
This entry into the Hopalong Cassidy series proves to be an interesting one. Directed by Nate Watt , the film is a character study and is successful in this objective. Nate Watt only directed 7 Cassidy films, more's the pity as he really managed to get under the character's skins more than any other director.All of his Hoppy films are slow in pace, very atmospheric, more adult than the usual series films , and very strong on the principle characters involved. This film features a typical downbeat Nate Watt opening. Hoppy's brother Buddy has been murdered ( he was in a previous Hoppy film ). Hoppy, Lucky and Windy set out to investigate "The Lone Wolf", a bandit and mastermind behind many robberies in the town , plus the instigator of Buddy's murder. Stephen Morris ( aka Morris Ankrum ) is the villain of the piece. Lee J. Cobb is in a small part.The female lead, as in most Watt films is far stronger than usually portrayed in a Hoppy film. Bernadene Hayes has a real charm and really enhances the film. There is an obvious bond between her character and Hoppy , this is nice for a change from the Lucky character's usually silly romances.The final scene is beautifully acted by Boyd and Hayes, watch their eyes as they both convey their true feelings. Another beautifully directed sequence has Hoppy and Faro Annie ( Hayes ) dancing in the saloon whilst Windy plays the piano. Hayes sings "When Irish eyes are smiling ". This is beautifully done and it is obvious to any viewer Boyd is thoroughly enjoying the change of pace.There is a cracking finale with the villain and Windy on board a runaway train and again a poignant scene when Hoppy and Lucky believe Windy to be dead.This is not the finest Cassidy, indeed not Nate Watt's best but it has moments of originality and sheer bliss that should not be missed.

Sadly Nate Watt's career never really took off as it should have. But it should be noted he was assistant director on the classic 1939 film Of Mice and Men. I like to think he contributed a lot to that wonderful film.
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7/10
immensely enjoyable Hoppy film
chipe20 July 2014
I have to give a hearty second to zebulonguy's review here. The film shines due to its " character study .. .slow in pace... and very atmospheric" nature. He hits the nail on the head. For me Bernadene Hayes, whom I never noticed in a film before, was the best thing in the movie. She was great looking, singing, acting -- warm and sincere. Hoppy was the second best thing in the film: smiling, friendly, soft voice, warm, gentlemanly and authoritative. Also contributing was a pretty good cast which included such noted actors as Morris Ankrum and Lee J. Cobb, the president of the railroad!

***Spoilers****

The main villains were played by Morris Ankrum (the "lone wolf") as the top gang leader; Jack Rutherford as Ace Crowder (who ran the saloon-dance hall-casino) the second in command; and Al Ferguson as Deputy Sheriff Jim Plunkett, who murdered Hoppy's brother Buddy, an act which led Hoppy to the town.

Two particularly good scenes, near the end of the movie, were (1) the tense revelatory scene where Hoppy was explaining his plans to Ankrum about rounding up Ankrum's gang, not knowing that Ankrum was the gang leader, and Ankrum just then discovering that Hoppy was an undercover lawman; and (2) the exciting scene of two groups of horsemen chasing the speeding rail road train.

The following observations are all minor criticisms, and remember I loved this B-movie:

-- they never explained why the Deputy Sheriff murdered Buddy, though it was during a gunfight between the posse and the bad guys.

-- Hoppy's friend Hayden, who was angered that the authorities declared Buddy's death as "accidental," was unusually friendly afterward with the culprits Ankrum, Crowder and Plunkett.

-- Hoppy killed Plunkett in an unusualy ordinary way. Plunkettt was sent to follow Hoppy, to find Hoppy's supposed gold, and fired at Hoppy when they faced each other.

-- Hoppy went undercover to investigate the bad guys, and romanced Bernadene as a charming outlaw, and, it is a shame that we never saw the scene where Hoppy revealed his true identity to her as the great famous Hopalong Cassidy.

-- Bernadene was a major player in the story, with lots of screen time. No criticism, but she had little to do to advance the story, except to point out at the end where some characters had gone, something anyone could have done.

-- It is also odd that we never saw a reaction shot from Ankrum when he was about to die in the train crash. It's as though he disappeared from the movie. (Maybe they planned to have him in a sequel.)

-- Ankrum, the "lone wolf," had no real good reason not to kill Hoppy once Hoppy's identity was revealed and Ankrum had him tied up near the end of the movie. Also, most important, only Hoppy knew at that point that Ankrum was the Lone Wolf, so why flee town at all?
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6/10
"I got a thorn in me for every state in the union" : Windy
weezeralfalfa21 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
My review title quotation related to an incident near the end of the film. Windy(George Hayes), who was the surprise engineer of a locomotive, jumped off onto the embankment just after Hoppy had switched the path of the locomotive onto a siding of unknown destination. Strangely, it soon led to a dead end, just before the locomotive went over a cliff!?, presumably which Windy didn't know about. At first, Hoppy and Lucky assumed Windy died in the crash. But, then he spoke up from down the embankment. He had landed in the middle of a patch of prickly pear cactus, spread-eagled. He wanted them to help him out. It was also assumed that the other person on the train : the criminal Lone Wolf had died in this crash. But, they apparently failed to make sure that he didn't also jump from the train in time. It was important to be sure he was dead, also being the head of the local bank and general store. Incidentally, it's quite amazing that the locomotive got that far and fast with nobody tending the fire box!? It's also quite amazing that 2 sets of riders: one following the other, and both trying to catch the train, both got way ahead of the train, when they started after it! Their horses must have been exhausted! .......... Prior to this incident, Windy got an impromptu job as the piano man in Ace Crowder's saloon.(He seemed to have many talents). One Bull O'Hara(Walter Long) demanded that he play some Irish tunes, and Crowder backed up this demand. First, he played "The Wearing of the Green", later "When Irish Eyes are Smiling". The saloon girl Annie(Bernadine Hayes) sang both, sometimes with the patrons joining in. She struck up a flirtation with Hoppy. In the midst of this, Hoppy shot a bottle out of Windy's hand, presumably to show what a good shot he was, but mighty dangerous.........Ace Crowder, owner of the saloon, is the leader of an outlaw gang(a very common occurrence in these serial westerns), although this doesn't seem to be common knowledge. He works in conjunction with the Lone Wolf. In the Wolf's legitimate roles, he is known as Henry Stoneham, and appears to be a cultured, square dealing man, making him seem an unlikely candidate for being the Lone Wolf.........Hoppy arrives in town at the request of Lucky, who witnessed the shooting death of Hoppy's brother : Buddy. He definitely saw that the culprit was the deputy sheriff Jim Plunkett, acting on orders from the Lone Wolf, who had previously winged Buddy. But, Stoneham(The Lone Wolf), who was presiding at the trial, ruled that the evidence was insufficient to convict Plunkett. Thus, Lucky called for Hoppy, who was elsewhere. Hoppy wanted to give the impression that he was a man to be reckoned with. Thus, he arrived with the name Wild Bill Dynamite Magroo. Plunkett was instructed to gun down Magroo. But, they met briefly at Buddy's house. Each fired, and it was Magroo's shot that hit it's target. Stoneham called in Magroo to discuss things, including his rumored heist of much gold from a train the night before. That was true, although he planned to return the gold to the railroad. Hoppy noticed that Stoneham had an unusual ring on his finger that he had seen when stuck up by the Lone Wolf(a disguised Stoneham), thus confirming his suspicion that Stoneham was the Lone Eagle. He lunged at the Wolf, but an unseen man at the door winged Hoppy, giving the Wolf the chance to stick Hoppy up, and tie him to a chair. The Wolf finds out that Magroo is actually Hoppy. Not clear why he didn't shoot Hoppy there, instead of leaving him there after he cleaned out the safe that contained both his money and Crowder's money. He made Windy agree to take over the locomotive outside so that the 2 would be the only people on the train. The Wolf kept his gun pointed at Windy continuously. Apparently, the Wolf's goal was to get across the state line with his money. Soon, Crowder discovered what The Wolf was up to, and called his gang together to give chase. Then, Lucky arrived with a posse, looking for Hoppy. Anne didn't know where Hoppy was then, and told him to chase Crowder's gang. A little later she discovered Hoppy, who was getting out of his ropes, and told him what was going on. Hoppy hightailed it after Lucky's group, catching up, then leading the posse to attack Crowder's gang, capturing them. Meanwhile, the winged Lucky fell off his horse near the track switch, then got his foot stuck between converging tracks, so why Hoppy send the locomotive on the siding. I've already related the rest of the story.......Annie was sorry to see Hoppy depart, with his 2 friends. For once it wasn't Lucky who got attached to the leading lady.....See it at YouTube
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7/10
Hoppy gives Lee J. Cobb a start
pensman12 June 2019
As a Hoppy western this story has some interesting moments. From the start when we see Lucky at a coroner's inquest being run by Henry Stoneham, we know who the bad guy is. Morris Ankrum (Stoneham) seemed to be born to play bad guys and he did a good job. But it was Hoppy's younger brother who was murdered so it's only time until the real villain is brought to justice.

Yet somehow a musical number is inserted with Windy (Gabby Hayes) on the piano belting out The Wearing of the Green at the behest of Bull O'Hara (Walter Long) that has everyone in the cast up dancing and singing.

This film has the first credit for Lee J. Cobb as the owner of the railroad. I was stunned to see a youngish Cobb in the cast and even more surprised to learn Lee J. Cobb was bald at 26. I always believed Lee J.Cobb to be one of our finest actors. In 1968 I took a small group of students to Lincoln Center to see Cobb as King Lear. It was electrifying and every one of my charges was captured by what they were seeing on stage.

You know how the film will end but that was what you wanted to see. I was such a fan that my parents indulged me with a black Hoppy outfit complete with two six guns and a black hat.
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10/10
great surprise in this film
hoffmanaz14 December 2020
At 14 minutes into the film Gabby Hayes is bragging about his piano-playing talent, but he is challenged to prove it by playing "The Wearing of the Green," as demanded by Bull O'Hara. This scene was a set-up that surprises the viewer as Hayes shows he can play the piano, and everyone in the saloon--cowboys, dance-hall girls, good guys and bad guys, not only dance to the tune, but they sing it as well. Clearly, everybody has fun in this four-minute sequence. Later on, starting around 18 minutes, another song and dance takes place with "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," a number that makes Bull O'Hara weep. Incredibly, everyone in the saloon seems to be Irish!

I don't think these sequences detract from the film, they enhance it and elevate the movie from the usual Hoppy film into something stronger, helped by the performance of Faro Annie and Hoppy. This is one of the best of the Hopalong Cassidy films made in the 1930s and if it's not on the Cable Channel again, it's on Youtube.
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10/10
The greatest western trio goes Wolf hunting
hines-200021 July 2022
It all starts when Lucky (Russell Hayden) doesn't get the desired verdict after Hoppy's (William Boyd) brother is gunned down by Deputy Jim Plunkett (Al Ferguson). Man of many hats, Morris Ankrum instructs the jury to find it was an accidental death. High time for the greatest western trio to go undercover and Gabby Hayes becomes a pianist. Of course Bull O'Hara (Walter Long) only wants him to play Irish tunes. This leads to wonderful music, "The Wearing of the Green" and "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" sung by Bernadine Hayes, Long and everybody in the saloon. This was the only movie where Hayes played with her sister, Lorraine Randall. Hoppy and Ace (Jack Rutherford), who is running the salon are playing a deadly game of chicken but Hoppy's main concern is finding the Lone Wolf. Also, where does Lee J. Cobb fit into the Wolf's plan? A lot of great character development and solid acting in this well directed Hoppy film.
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4/10
Not bad but the showdown with the Lone Wolf was VERY poorly done.
planktonrules5 October 2020
When the story begins, Lucky is testifying at a coroner's inquest. The man presiding is clearly behaving VERY inappropriately....and he guarantees that instead of the Deputy being arrested for murder, the whole thing is ruled an accident. But a guy is dead....and it's Hopalong Cassidy's brother, Buddy (who appeared in "Hopalong Cassidy Returns". You know that sooner or later, Hopalong is coming to town and there will be justice for his brother's murder.

When Hoppy arrives, it's not exactly with guns ablazing. Instead, he is undercover...posing as a badman, 'Dangerous Bill McGrew'. He does this in order to investigate the killing and find out who was behind the deputy's actions.

It's all very exciting and good until the end...when bad writing really ruins the final portion of the film. When Hoppy exposes the 'Long Wolf', Hoppy is shot from behind...at a distance of about four feet. Yet, inexplicably, he's barely hurt at all!! What is more inexplicable is now that the Lone Wolf has him, he instead ties up Hoppy....giving him ample chance to come for him when he expectedly gets free! It really made no sense at all...and made me irritated. What also was irritating was the final scene...with a train wreck that is cheaply done...very cheaply done!

Overall, a sub-par Hopalong Cassidy film because of the botched final 10-15 minutes of the film. Up until then, I really liked it...but boy did they end this film badly!
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Less Action Than Usual
dougdoepke30 March 2020
Rather tame Hoppy western until the slam-bang finale. Until then, it's mostly indoors in a saloon while Hoppy tries to get the corrupt town's Deputy Plunkett who killed his brother. At the same time in the background lurks the mysterious Lone Wolf. Meanwhile, Windy and Lucky go undercover to help Hoppy track him down. On the whole, the storyline moves along at a rather leisurely pace for an oater. Then too, the plot line with its two main strands rather than one suggests a last-minute combining of separate scripts for whatever reason. I can't help thinking there's a backstory of some sort to this odd Hoppy production.

There are some noteworthy aspects, however. Surprisingly, it's not fists that fly as in standard Hoppy fare, instead it's Windy's fingers as they race over the piano keyboard in the town's saloon- wow- who knew! Perhaps stealing the show, however, is deglamorized actress Hayes as the saloon's Faro Annie. All in all, she delivers an unusually poignant turn instead of the usually winsome role of a western leading lady. And catch that very last close-up where she and the movie leave us on an unexpectedly somber note. Then too, I like the way Director Watt manages some unusual touches such as the horse charging over the sunken camera. I wish IMDB had more information on his much-too-short career. Also, catch New York actor Lee J. Cobb in a supporting role, before he turned A-lister in such theatrical hits as On The Waterfront (1954). All in all, the programmer amounts to a different Hoppy entry in many important respects. Whether viewers enjoy the departures from the usual depends, I guess, on personal taste. Frankly, I was disappointed.
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3/10
Family honor
bkoganbing12 March 2017
William 'Hopalong' Cassidy's brother is killed while on a posse and by the Deputy Sheriff Al Ferguson. Russell Hayden so testifies that it was pure murder, but the inquest rules accident. That's when Hayden sends for Hopalong Cassidy.

The posse was in pursuit of the notorious Lone Wolf outlaw and Bill Boyd goes undercover to flush him out.

I had a lot of problems with this story. Hoppy is one of the shrewdest western heroes going and he tips his hand way too early when he figures out who the Lone Wolf is. Definitely not typical Cassidy. Both Hoppy and Lucky Jenkins pursue the outlaws with bullets in them.

Of the regulars Gabby Hayes fares best. He goes undercover in the villain's saloon as a piano player. But spends a good deal of time learning the Wearing Of The Green for the Irish clientele. We hear that and we also hear saloon entertainer Bernadene Hayes sing When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. If I didn't know any better I would swear we were on The Quiet Man set.

A very inferior Hoppy film, the plot defects are covered by one incredible action scene involving the villain stealing a runaway train and forcing Gabby to drive it. It should satisfy fans.
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