I just saw this flick today on the Westerns Channel. It is my first look at William Boyd aka Hopalong Cassidy. I have seen several other Western stars like Tom Mix, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry and I must saw from an early examination, Hoppy seems to be slightly more engaging than the others in his company. This B-movie is also helped by a supporting cast, which seems to remind one of the cast of "Stagecoach" with the likes of Andy Devine which to me made the movie as memorable as John Wayne's performance as Ringo. This is one of the best B-Westerns I've seen so far. Don't expect the intellectual depths of "Red River" or "The Searchers," but for a good time and a nice glimpse into what it must have been like to be a kid watching a serial in the 40s (long before my time), check this one out!
9 Reviews
Great setting, interesting plot
Paularoc21 June 2012
Hoppy protects a young Indian boy who is being chased and unjustly accused of being the lookout for a band of rustlers since carved amulets are found after each rustling raid. As it happens, the young boy works for the archaeologist Dr. Sue Harmon (Betty Alexander). Doc Harmon and Hoppy are old friends and she persuades him and sidekicks California and Lucky to join in the archaeological dig. Unfortunately, a colleague of hers is no good and joins forces with the head of the rustling gang in a scheme to steal and then sell the Indian artifacts. The scenery in this movie is stunning and having an archaeology expedition as part of the story is refreshing – as is having a woman archaeologist. I was reminded again in seeing this movie how good Hoppy was in fist fights – they are so realistic (unlike fights in some B Westerns).
"You know, there's somethin' funny going on here."
classicsoncall31 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
A couple other reviewers for this film make mention of the stunning scenery and I have to concur. I managed to catch a restored print of the movie and even though it's mostly rock formations, the cinematography just jumps out at you. In bold black and white, this is some of the best I've seen.
Along with that, I really like the different kinds of adventures Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) gets involved in. This one has Hoppy and his pals California (Andy Clyde) and Lucky (Rand Brooks) taking part in an archaeological dig to find ancient Indian artifacts. However there's also gold involved, which sets up an alliance with crooked scientist Atwood (Douglas Evans) and cattle rancher Dan Morgan (Harry Cording). There are caves on Indian land that potentially hold a lot of gold, and Atwood needs Morgan's permission and guidance to cross his land and get to it. For his part, Morgan and his henchmen have been doing some cattle rustling and blaming it on the local tribe; his men dress up like Indians to pull their raids.
This story could have meant big time trouble for California. For a while, the Indian chief Xeoli (Fritz Leiber) believed Hoppy's crew was after their gold and was going to make a human sacrifice of California! The stone altar and fire pit were a nice touch and was put to good use later on when Hoppy and the baddies got into a shooting match. Atwood took a spear from the Chief and landed right in it - ouch!
Well there's never any doubt how these old time oaters end up, no matter who the cowboy hero is - Hoppy, Roy, Gene, Durango or any of a host of others. What I'd really like to know is - what does timber rattler soup taste like?
Along with that, I really like the different kinds of adventures Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) gets involved in. This one has Hoppy and his pals California (Andy Clyde) and Lucky (Rand Brooks) taking part in an archaeological dig to find ancient Indian artifacts. However there's also gold involved, which sets up an alliance with crooked scientist Atwood (Douglas Evans) and cattle rancher Dan Morgan (Harry Cording). There are caves on Indian land that potentially hold a lot of gold, and Atwood needs Morgan's permission and guidance to cross his land and get to it. For his part, Morgan and his henchmen have been doing some cattle rustling and blaming it on the local tribe; his men dress up like Indians to pull their raids.
This story could have meant big time trouble for California. For a while, the Indian chief Xeoli (Fritz Leiber) believed Hoppy's crew was after their gold and was going to make a human sacrifice of California! The stone altar and fire pit were a nice touch and was put to good use later on when Hoppy and the baddies got into a shooting match. Atwood took a spear from the Chief and landed right in it - ouch!
Well there's never any doubt how these old time oaters end up, no matter who the cowboy hero is - Hoppy, Roy, Gene, Durango or any of a host of others. What I'd really like to know is - what does timber rattler soup taste like?
Lots of Outdoor Action
dougdoepke6 November 2010
Really good Hoppy for those who like lots of outdoor action. The cast gets to ride around the big-rock Alabama Hills for the whole hour, with all those scenic vistas of the southern Sierras in the background. The plot is more complex than usual. Hoppy's got to keep the Indians peaceful, beat the rustlers, help the archaeologists, and figure out who the bad guys are (there's more than one moustache).
There's more ducking around the big rocks than hard-riding or fast-shooting. But I really like the imaginative touches of an Indian altar and "ghost riders". Plus there're two pretty girls to look at, causing me to wonder how I can join the Indian princess's (Pat Tate) tribe. Anyhow, it's still a lot of fun for us old cowboy wannabe's.
(In passing—Hoppy was a fixture for years at LA's annual Rose Parade. He always made a point of riding over to the kids and smilingly doffing his hat. What a thrill for this former Front Row kid. Thanks, Hoppy.)
There's more ducking around the big rocks than hard-riding or fast-shooting. But I really like the imaginative touches of an Indian altar and "ghost riders". Plus there're two pretty girls to look at, causing me to wonder how I can join the Indian princess's (Pat Tate) tribe. Anyhow, it's still a lot of fun for us old cowboy wannabe's.
(In passing—Hoppy was a fixture for years at LA's annual Rose Parade. He always made a point of riding over to the kids and smilingly doffing his hat. What a thrill for this former Front Row kid. Thanks, Hoppy.)
A bit reminiscent of "Secrets of the Wastelands" from 1941.
planktonrules2 October 2020
I found this Hopalong Cassidy film on YouTube....and was thrilled to see most, if not all, of his old movies have been gorgeously restored and uploaded to this site. So, if you want to see the rest of his movies, this is the best place to start.
"Dangerous Venture" is a bit of a departure for the cowboy hero, though the film has a lot in common with another unusual Hoppy film, "Secrets of the Wastelands", as BOTH feature Hopalong Cassidy and his pals providing protection for an archaeological expedition into the American desert...and both were filmed in the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, California.
The archaeologists are investigating a theory that the Aztecs moved north into the American desert following their subjugation by the Spanish in the 16th c century. The problem is that these local tribesmen and women are afraid that the white folks will plunder their grave sites....and it's made worse for both sides when faux-natives appear! Yes, white guys painted up and wearing wigs while dressing like these people are appearing here and there....robbing, shooting and making a real nuisance of themselves. Hoppy is hired to investigate and soon he realizes BOTH the archaeologists and the tribe are being pitted against each other by a third party. But who and why?
"Secrets of the Wastelands" is simply a better film for several reasons. First, it was first...and seems much more original because of this. Second, the 'Aztecs' are pretty ridiculous...especially when they want to perform a ritual human sacrifice!!! Pretty silly...but the good still well outweighs the bad. Worth seeing if you like B-westerns.
"Dangerous Venture" is a bit of a departure for the cowboy hero, though the film has a lot in common with another unusual Hoppy film, "Secrets of the Wastelands", as BOTH feature Hopalong Cassidy and his pals providing protection for an archaeological expedition into the American desert...and both were filmed in the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, California.
The archaeologists are investigating a theory that the Aztecs moved north into the American desert following their subjugation by the Spanish in the 16th c century. The problem is that these local tribesmen and women are afraid that the white folks will plunder their grave sites....and it's made worse for both sides when faux-natives appear! Yes, white guys painted up and wearing wigs while dressing like these people are appearing here and there....robbing, shooting and making a real nuisance of themselves. Hoppy is hired to investigate and soon he realizes BOTH the archaeologists and the tribe are being pitted against each other by a third party. But who and why?
"Secrets of the Wastelands" is simply a better film for several reasons. First, it was first...and seems much more original because of this. Second, the 'Aztecs' are pretty ridiculous...especially when they want to perform a ritual human sacrifice!!! Pretty silly...but the good still well outweighs the bad. Worth seeing if you like B-westerns.
Full of intrigue and eyeful vistas
coltras353 February 2022
Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) and company (Andy Clyde, Rand Brooks) rescue archaeologists from rustlers dressed as Indians in rather inventive Hoppy entry that is full of intrigue, outdoor scenes of vistas and an odd inclusion of archaeologists. Lacks action, but there's enough going on to keep one interested.
Hoppy's Getting Tired
danashley18 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The venerable Hopalong Cassidy series, one of the great B western franchises, was sadly winding down when Dangerous Venture came along. Harry "Pop" Sherman was no longer the producer, Russell Harlan, the academy award nominated cinematographer (albeit not for Hoppy) had moved on and it appeared the budget of Hopalong Cassidy Productions, Inc . was meager since the days when Paramount and Pop Sherman footed the bill. The Alabama Hills, which Harlan captured so well, are in evidence , but the camera did not stray to the famed Lone Pine scenery of the earlier Hoppy films. Stock footage was used for the rustlers cattle drive, the sets were quite ordinary, and the plot, such as it is, was silly including an Indian boy named Jose who has an amazing recovery from fatal wound and is trotting along at the end. .One shootout, hardy any fisticuffs, Clyde's comedy more obvious than usual and Brooks as Lucky Jenkins clearly no match for Russell Hayden, the definitive Lucky. Even Boyd did more slow walking in the hills than riding. .
All in all, one of the weakest of the Hoppies.
One of the best!
JohnHowardReid9 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
A United Artists picture, released 23 May 1947, directed by George Archainbaud.
CAST: William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Rand Brooks, Fritz Leiber, Douglas Evans, Harry Cording, Betty Alexander, Francis McDonald, Neyle Morrow, Patricia Tate, Bob Faust, Ken Tobey, Jack Quinn, Bill Nestell. 59 minutes. (Available on an excellent Platinum Disc or Echo Bridge DVD).
COMMENT: Probably the best of the dozen Boyd-produced entries, thanks to an interest-capturing script by Doris Schroeder (who manages to cram two major and reasonably exciting plot-threads into 59 minutes) and some splendid acting by Betty Alexander (in the first and largest of only two credited roles), well-spoken Douglas Evans (it was no surprise to discover he was a radio announcer before turning to Hollywood and playing bit parts in more than a hundred films), Neyle Morrow as the Indian youth (well, he looked no more than 18 to me, although he was actually 32), Harry Cording as the villain's villain, the lovely Patricia Tate as the Indian princess (this one and the previous Hoppy are her only movies), and even our old friend, Ken Tobey, as one of Cording's henchmen. Great scenic vistas of the Alabama Hills are used most effectively by photographer Mack Stengler. David Chudnow's music score is a cut above the average too.
CAST: William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Rand Brooks, Fritz Leiber, Douglas Evans, Harry Cording, Betty Alexander, Francis McDonald, Neyle Morrow, Patricia Tate, Bob Faust, Ken Tobey, Jack Quinn, Bill Nestell. 59 minutes. (Available on an excellent Platinum Disc or Echo Bridge DVD).
COMMENT: Probably the best of the dozen Boyd-produced entries, thanks to an interest-capturing script by Doris Schroeder (who manages to cram two major and reasonably exciting plot-threads into 59 minutes) and some splendid acting by Betty Alexander (in the first and largest of only two credited roles), well-spoken Douglas Evans (it was no surprise to discover he was a radio announcer before turning to Hollywood and playing bit parts in more than a hundred films), Neyle Morrow as the Indian youth (well, he looked no more than 18 to me, although he was actually 32), Harry Cording as the villain's villain, the lovely Patricia Tate as the Indian princess (this one and the previous Hoppy are her only movies), and even our old friend, Ken Tobey, as one of Cording's henchmen. Great scenic vistas of the Alabama Hills are used most effectively by photographer Mack Stengler. David Chudnow's music score is a cut above the average too.
'Ghost Indians'
bkoganbing17 May 2015
The Hopalong Cassidy series came a cropper with Dangerous Venture where Hoppy, Lucky, and California serve as security for an archaeological expedition. There have been artifacts showing up and rumors of a secret Indian tribe up in the hills that the white folks call Ghost Indians.
It's Betty Alexander's expedition her dad was a good friend of Hoppy's but his health won't permit him to make the trip. She's got a colleague in Douglas Evans who's more interested in looting the treasures the Indians have as it is reputed they are remnants of Aztecs. The chief's son has the Indian name of Jose.
This story was more silly than anything else and you know that as soon as Hopalong Cassidy was not on the scene this tribe would have been reduced to peonage. As it is some outlaw gang is using their territory to hide stolen cattle and the leader of the rustlers and the greedy archaeologist form an alliance of convenience.
This was not one of the better entries in the series.
It's Betty Alexander's expedition her dad was a good friend of Hoppy's but his health won't permit him to make the trip. She's got a colleague in Douglas Evans who's more interested in looting the treasures the Indians have as it is reputed they are remnants of Aztecs. The chief's son has the Indian name of Jose.
This story was more silly than anything else and you know that as soon as Hopalong Cassidy was not on the scene this tribe would have been reduced to peonage. As it is some outlaw gang is using their territory to hide stolen cattle and the leader of the rustlers and the greedy archaeologist form an alliance of convenience.
This was not one of the better entries in the series.
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