Cherokee Strip

Harry "Pop" Sherman is best remembered for having produced the early entries in the Hopalong Cassidy series. But he also turned out a number of good "B Plus" westerns featuring lots of familiar faces, during the same period. "Cherokee Strip" is one of these.

The basis of the story is an ongoing feud between the Morrell and Barrett families headed by Richard Dix and Victor Jory respectfully. A truce has been called. In the meantime Jory has set up shop as a banker through which he launders money stolen by his gang.

Dix suspecting the Barretts of rustling his family's cattle, has followed him and taken on the job of Marshal. Into the mix comes Senator Cross (Charles Trowbridge) who wants to open up the Cherokee strip and his daughter (Florence Rice) and tenderfoot son (William Henry) who are charged with gathering data for a census. Eventually, Jory and his cohorts are exposed and a final all out gunfight ensues.

Richard Dix had been a star in films since the early 20s. By the time thi s role came along, his career was in decline. He looked too old to be playing the dashing hero and was a bit on the heavy side. Victor Jory, on the other hand, was just hitting his stride. He was always better than his material and his presence in the cast raises the film a level or two.

Other familiar faces in the cast include Andy Clyde as Dix' sidekick and Tom Tyler and Ray Teal as two of Dix' brothers. Riding in Jory's gang are the likes of Morris Ankrum, Douglas Fowley, Hal Taliafero and William Haade.

Good production values and lots of outdoor scenery, make this an entertaining little western.