Saddlemates (1941)

Saddlemates finds the Three Mesquiteers as Texas Rangers who are patrolling an area that was once Texas, but now is in the Indian Territory, soon to become Oklahoma. The Rangers have ceded jurisdiction and have gone back to Texas. But the Mesquiteers now that the army has moved in become army scouts. In the case of Robert Livingston and Bob Steele it's because they're suddenly interested in the colonel's daughter played by Gale Storm. And Rufe Davis is pursued by Storm's maiden aunt, Ellen Lowe. The very nervous maidenly Lowe with Davis provide some nice comedy relief.

But the meat of the action revolves around the army seeking to make peace with the Indians. But the Comanches have a mixed blood leader in George Lynn who is modeled somewhat on the real life Quanah Parker, but he's a duplicitous and charismatic leader who when he's with whites allegedly acts as a mediator.

Some genius in Washington, DC sends army rifles with a wagon train full of army families including the commander's. In the end it's to the Three Mesquiteers to set things right. Do you doubt they would?

This feature was earlier done as a Gene Autry western, but it plays better with the Mesquiteers.