Three Men from Texas (1940) User Reviews

A joy to watch

[Spondonman · 7/10 · 30 June 2007]

All those Hopalong Cassidy films! And the only ways anyone can ever see them in the UK is if they buy imported DVD's or download off the internet, because they're never on TV. This is mainly because these type of Hollywood b Westerns are considered derisory by the suits – I got news for them: it's current TV programming that is derisory, no one will watch any of it in 70 years time like HC still is.

Be warned: the IMDb plot summary gives out the entire story, but basically after receiving a call for help from California Texas Rangers Hoppy & Lucky are up against a tough gang of land grabbers. To the background sound of clinking spurs we're treated as usual to plenty of chases, wonderful scenery, gunfights, a brief romance for Lucky, a neck-tie party, comedy this time coming from Andy Clyde joining the team. William Boyd and Russell Haydon put in their usual good performances as the unflappable Cassidy and young sidekick Lucky. Favourite bit: California winging one of the baddies, then shooting him dead. Hoppy reproaches in jest "You ought to be ashamed of yourself shooting at a cripple" – "I was only trying to be humane" – swift justice indeed!

I think I've probably seen about a bar-20 of these films but it looks par for the course, a well made programmer with so-so acting and plot but mainly for the kids and people like me. Don't bother if you're a serious type.

Well done but also very typical of the genre

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 9 August 2014]

This Hoppalong Cassidy (William Boyd) film is well made and extremely typical of the genre. And, like most of the B-westerns I've enjoyed, it's not mired down with a lot of unnecessary and silly songs.

The film begins with authorities in California begging the Texas governor to send a crack Ranger to their state to help them restore law and order. Surprisingly, Hoppy isn't interested in the job but his young friend Lucky does the job instead. Soon, however, Hoppy is pulled into California. And, he brings along a new sidekick--aptly named California. Together with Lucky, the trio work on restoring justice. And, as if VERY typical of the genre. there's a baddie who has a large group of hired guns who's intent on stealing the land of all the little guys.

About the only unusual aspect of the film is that it's surprisingly violent for a B-western. As for the acting, Cassidy seems quite natural and the film is enjoyable throughout. Not a must-see but a decent little time-passer.

A mixed bag!

[JohnHowardReid · 6/10 · 6 February 2018]

Number 31 of the 66-picture series (Zinman's numbering. Paramount's number is 37). In this one, Cassidy changes the color of his shirt from the traditional black to a light gray, similar to the fatigue uniform worn by the Texas Rangers. There's a new horse in this one. Boyd, of course, rides "Topper", but Hayden has a new mount in "Cooper" who replaces the palomino, "Banjo", who was unable to keep silent in front of the cameras.

The reason there's so much dialogue in this one and that it's so slowly delivered, Sherman explains, is that he was experimenting in producing a movie which deaf people could lip read with no difficulty.

It's also in this entry that Hopalong Cassidy meets up with "California" - and a very boring meeting it is too, running longer than five minutes. "Pop" Sherman once said that his formula for making the Hoppy movies was to "open big, forget about the middle, and come to a thrilling finish." That's certainly what happens here. After Hoppy teams up with "California", they join "Lucky" and then proceed to make Santa Carmen "a fine place for folks to live in". Fortunately, they do so via some thrilling action sequences - so thrilling indeed that the TV Censor has been at this film, mutilating at least four scenes.

Russell Harlan's photography is well up to his usual high standard. Victor Young has written a music score for three or four of the action highlights, but the rest of the film has no music whatever! Lesley Selander's direction has occasional touches of inventiveness.

Excellent Hopalong Cassidy movie with unusual elements

[wrbtu · 1 January 2000]

Excellent & unusual for a B western. Has many features & plot elements that are unexpected for a B movie. More somber than most Hoppy films. The usual humor is there, but both Lucky & California show a more serious side. My only complaint is that Hoppy wears a tan outfit (with black hat), rather than his trademark all black outfit. Easily one of the very best Hoppy films.

Enter California Carlson

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 20 April 2013]

Well actually this film should be called Two Men From Texas because one of them is from California. For the rest of the Hopalong Cassidy feature film series Andy Clyde became William Boyd's third Mesquiteer sidekick as California Carlson and of course that's where he's from though he embellishes quite a bit his accomplishments.

In fact Hoppy's first encounter with California has him as the cook for an outlaw gang. He first arrests him and then decides that he's harmless and is even a good material witness to a pair of outlaws whom he really wants played by western heavies Glenn Strange and Dick Curtis.

Those two have fled to California where Hoppy's other sidekick Russell Hayden has been on loan from the Texas Rangers trying to clean up a gang headed by claim jumping Morris Ankrum. He's been dispossessing a lot of the residents off the Spanish land grants they hold title to. Of course all the bad guys fight all the good guys in the inevitable climax.

Three Men From Texas is quite a bit bloodier in the climax than the normal run of Hopalong Cassidy films. A woman is shot and killed earlier, the love interest for Hayden and then later her father and Ankrum have a fight to the death of both. I'm surprised Paramount didn't soften this for their kid audience.

Still it's a Cassidy feature that holds up well for today.

"Hoppy, there's somethin' wrong. I can feel it."

[classicsoncall · 6/10 · 2 October 2017]

I take it this was the first meeting between Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) and California Carlson (Andy Clyde), as the two don't know each other when they first meet. In fact, California mistakes Hoppy for a notorious outlaw named Ben Stokes (Glenn Strange) who comes on the scene later. Interestingly, California is hooked up with an outlaw gang himself at the beginning of the story, performing their cooking duties, but is soon recruited by Hoppy to become a good guy. There's not a lot of credibility to the way all this happens, but it makes for a good story.

Hoppy does know Lucky Jenkins (Russell Hayden) however, and both men are employed as Texas Rangers. When a citizens committee from California arrives to request help in getting rid of an outlaw gang, Captain Andrews (Morgan Wallace) of The Rangers offers the opportunity to Cassidy, who turns it down, preferring to head back to his Bar-20 Ranch when his stint with the Rangers expires, a decision that didn't last too long. Lucky, on the other hand, is all gung-ho to strike out for new horizons, and heads off to California with Hoppy's good wishes.

There's a bit of a huh? moment following that first shootout between the bad guys and Hoppy with his 'new' partner California. Since California didn't have a gun of his own, Hoppy gave him one of his to provide cover while he snuck around to capture two of the baddies who didn't run away. When he makes it back to California's position, he takes the gun away and throws it over his shoulder and into the brush - but it was his own gun!

There's also a Whoa! moment when Hoppy and California first meet up with Lucky in the town of Santa Carmen, where Lucky takes on his first sheriff assignment. Lucky insists on striking out on his own, and when Hoppy tries to stop him, Lucky knocks him to the ground! Actually, it's more of a push since Lucky didn't strike him, but it did look like an awkward moment for the cowboy hero.

Eventually, all the forces of law and order line up to confront gang leader Bruce Morgan (Morris Ankrum) and his henchmen Gardner (Dick Curtis) and Ben Stokes. Morgan offers up one of those classic Western challenges to the good guys - "You want me, you'll have to come and get me!" Well, you wouldn't have to have seen see many of these oaters to know what happens next. Hoppy went and got him!

One of my favorite B-Westerns

[narnia4 · 10/10 · 11 June 2007]

Although William Boyd's Hopalong Cassidy is a more mature cowboy then Roy Rogers or Gene Autry, this one is darker than usual. There's still the same humor (provided this time by Andy Clyde) as always, but the humor is much more somber than usual.

There are fewer fight scenes then some, but the fight scenes are extremely well-done for a B-western. This is also one of the longest of the Hopalong movies.

The reason I love this movie so much is because it is of refreshingly hight quality, the characters are consistent and 3-dimensional (unlike many B-westerns), and the story is unusually good. Just goes to show why Hopalong Cassidy is one of the best cowboy movie heroes there is.

California Here We Come!

[bsmith5552 · 7/10 · 12 April 2020]

"Three Men From Texas" Is an above average "Hoppy" western falling almost at the mid point of the overall series. It also marked the debut of Andy Clyde in the role of California Carlson, a part he would play until the conclusion of the series in 1948. Gabby Hayes the previous comedy relief, had left the series to go to Republic and ride with Roy Rogers.

Hoppy (William Boyd) and Lucky (Russell Hayden) are Texas Rangers nearing the end of their enlistment. Captain Andrews (Morgan Wallace) receives a call for help from an old friend in California. He asks for help in bringing law and order to the area and breaking up the gang controlled by Bruce Morgan (Morris Ankrum) who are driving Spanish ranchers from their homes. One of them Pico Serraro (Thorton Edwards) forms his own gang comprised of the displaced ranchers and their hands.

Capt. Andrews asks Hoppy to take the assignment. He turns it down wanting to return to the Bar 20. However Lucky begs for the assignment and rides off to California, Hoppy meanwhile, becomes involved with a gang of horse thieves led by Gardner (Dick Curtis). California Carlson (Clyde) is working as the gang's cook. California has been told to be on the look out for outlaw Ben Stokes (Glenn Strange) who is on the run.

Hoppy rides into the camp but California mistakes him for Stokes. California gives Hoppy Gardner's plans which includes Gardner and Stokes riding off to California to join Morgan's gang. Hoppy arrests California but has him released when he learns that the old timer has a knowledge of California.

In California, Hoppy and California find Lucky who is the town Marshal who is about to arrest Morgan. Morgan escapes and rounds up his gang which now includes Gardner and Stokes. Hoppy, California and Lucky, who has been wounded, flee to the camp of Pico. There Lucky gets involved with Pico's attractive young daughter Paquita (Esther Estralla),

Hoppy and Pico decide that the best way to fight Morgan and his gang is to rally the small ranchers that have a beef with Morgan. But Morgan also plans to attack Pico's camp when he learns of it's location from one of Pico's men. Morgan and his gang ambush Hoppy and Pico's group and a tragic death occurs.

Hoppy and Pico, with California blowing the horn signal all of the ranchers in a call to arms. They ride to town where Morgan is waiting for them and..............

As always, in the Pop Sherman produced Hoppys, there is grand scenery, plenty of action and a climatic gun fight not to mention the large amount of extras employed to man the various gangs.

2 from Texas one from Scotland........

[girvsjoint · 9/10 · 27 October 2019]

This is the film that introduced the character of California Carlson to the team as the new comic sidekick, played by Scottish born Andy Clyde, and I must say, with all due respects to the great Gabby Hayes, Andy Clyde was my favourite of Hoppy's comedy cohorts, William Boyd must have liked him too because he remained for the rest of the feature film series! Boyd was a great actor, something he had over most of the other B western cowboys and he could often put a lot of feeling and emotion into some of his scenes, giving the Hopalong films a lot more credibility! This is a decent entry in the series with a couple of sad scenes as well as a couple that may shock? After a few more films the excellent Russell Hayden left to pursue his own career. Hopalong Cassidy was always good value for money!

Fun

[arfdawg-1 · 5/10 · 3 May 2014]

This 31st entry of the 66 films in the Hopalong Cassidy series marks the first of 35 consecutive appearances, in the remaining films of the series, of Scottish-born comedian Andy Clyde in the role of "California Carlson", although his introduction in this film is as "California Jack" Carlson and his credentials won't bear much scrutiny. The film finds local officers in an outlaw-infested town in California helpless to cope with the situation and a citizens committee comes to Texas and appeals to the Texas Rangers for help in organizing the forces of law and order.

Captain Andrews of the Rangers offers the assignment to Hopalong Cassidy and Lucky Jenkins, but Cassidy, whose period of service in the Rangers is almost over, refuses. The as-usual impetuous Lucky takes the job alone. W

While on patrol duty, Cassidy is following the trail of a large herd of rustled horses and discovers the hide-out of the Bruce Morgan gang.

Fun B picture stuff. You cant go wrong. But can you go right?

Perhaps the best of all Hoppy films

[awiener1 · 10/10 · 28 August 2021]

Hoppy was always my favorite western hero and all of his films were a cut above the Autry-Rogers films, which were fun but which I regard as more juvenile. Hoppy is an older, wiser, more cynical guy who sees through people pretty quickly. The stories always tried to be more serious as well, while maintaining some humor and excitement. This is one of my two favorite Hoppy films, the other being "The Eagle's Brood." They were clearly not intended for children and contain some disturbing, but realistic scenes and fleshed-out characters. I'm sorry that the IMDB synopsis basically tells you the entire story in detail and is thus full of spoilers, even though IMDB are sticklers for labeling spoilers. The story involves Hoppy being called to California to help put down a gang of thugs and land thieves. Among the more realistic elements is the outright theft of land from original Mexican owners by whites in California, something way ahead of its time. Andy Clyde joins the series as California Carlson and fits in perfectly. He provides comic relief but also comes through in the end at Hoppy's side. See the movie yourself and I think you'll agree it is far more like an A picture than a routine B western. It's Hoppy and his friends at their best, taking risks to help other people.

One Of The Very Best

[ajs-26942 · 12 May 2020]

Three Men From Texas has so many positive elements that it must qualify for inclusion among the very 'best' b-westerns. Among those attributes are a stellar ensemble cast, superb photography, including panoramic running shots, an intriguing plot, compelling original music and beautiful location.

Hoppy's best as a Texas Ranger

[hines-2000 · 10/10 · 26 December 2021]

The banker, Davison Clark wants something to be done about the lawlessness in town "Seth Pritchard was the 3rd Marshall to be buried in Boot Hill in the last 7 months." Texas Ranger Captain Andrews (Morgan Wallace) wants the best man for the job but Hopolong Cassidy (William Boyd) refuses. No fear, Lucky Jenkins (Russell Hayden) to the rescue. Hoppy runs into some problems of his own and hooks up with California Carlson (Andy Clyde). The Three Texans meet up at the Mexican border town of Santa Carmen. Morris Ankrum as Bruce Morgan is the head land grabber who's terrorizing California ranchers. He's got the best henchmen in the business with Glenn Strange and Dick Curtis. Lucky is lucky in finding beautiful senorita Paquita Serrano (Esther Estrella) and gives him extra motivation to help her father (Thornton Edwards). Three Men From Texas has a top notch cast, a great story and comic relief at the right time. This was the best of the Hopolong Cassidy movies and a must see for any true western fan.

Three men from Texas

[coltras35 · 8/10 · 5 March 2022]

Hoppy and new sidekick California Carlson head to California to help out Lucky Jenkins in this action-packed Hopalong that has a nice plot and a good emotional drive. Also it's probably the most hard-hitting Hoppy I have seen in terms of action. There's a grim necktie scene where boots of the dead bad hombres are seen. So more effective than seeing the whole thing. Also there's a tragic ending one of the goodies dying. It's a really good Hoppy film.