Hoppy's Holiday (1947)

One of Hoppy's later outings – William Boyd somehow looked a lot older (in a staid grey shirt, out of black for most of the picture), and even a new fangled motorcar played a part in the plot!

Lucky and California are hankering after a bit of fun for a change and their pestering of Hoppy eventually pays off when he decides to stop at Mesa City awhile for their Welcome Stranger celebrations. He can tell at a glance – and therefore we can - that there's dirty work afoot and who the baddie must be. The bank is duly robbed and California is implicated in it by simply bumping into one of the baddies in the dark and unintentionally swapping suitcases. Anyway, spending the night in jail gave Andy Clyde the chance for a splendid monologue while waiting for his huge ham sandwich from Lucky. Hoppy isn't overly perturbed by the events - even if you don't know how it will all turn out he is the epitome of reassurance! Favorite bits: The square dance; the leisurely posse chasing the dignified car full of baddies; Jeff Corey abruptly finding out crime doesn't pay; the shots through the "dummy waiter" - and generally high production values throughout.

It was another nice one from the team, a little less gun-play than usual to be sure but well worth a look in just the same.