Reb Russell (Bob Grady), Marion Shilling (Betty Lou Ricard), Lafe McKee (John Ricard), Joseph W. Girard (Sheriff Crabtree), Frank McCarroll (Duke Craven), Charles Slim Whitaker (Deputy Carter), Hank Bell (Sam, a vigilante), Silver Tip Baker, Fred Burns, Bill Patton (vigilantes), Bart Carre, Herman Hack, Tracy Layne, Bud McClure, Chuck Morrison (henchmen), and "Rebel".
Director: RAY HEINZ. Screenplay: Forbes Parkhill, based on his short story. Film editor: S. Roy Luby. Photography: James Diamond. Assistant director: William O'Connor. Production manager: Bart Carre. Producer: Willis Kent.
Not copyrighted by Willis Kent Productions. U.S. release through Marcy Pictures Corporation in 1935. No recorded New York opening. 55 minutes (more or less).
SYNOPSIS: After an outlaw changes clothes with a wandering cowpoke, the latter has a hard time proving his innocence.
COMMENT: One of Reb Russell's best films. Admittedly, that's not saying a great deal. Nonetheless, by the extremely humble standards of this series (and all producer Willis Kent's efforts generally), this is an outstanding entry. Thanks are not due primarily to Mr Russell, who is much his usual baby-faced self, but to the fact that the script seems to have been written with his particular talents (or lack of them) in mind.
Not only has the dialogue a certain uncharacteristic astringency, but the suspenseful plot is reasonably involving and has some nice twists. Furthermore, the support cast here is unusually strong and features a great performance by Frank McCarroll, who is really convincing in what is an extremely difficult role. McCarroll brings it off perfectly, managing the almost incredible feat of fooling the audience as well as Mr. Russell.
Our heroine is attractively played by Marion Shilling (far more appealingly photographed here than in "I'll Name the Murderer"), and it's good to see Slim Whitaker on the side of the law for once. (In fact, I was at a loss for a few minutes, as I just naturally assumed he was one of the bad guys).
Aside from weak fight scenes, Ray Heinz has directed with a sure hand, utilizing his locations to advantage. And the stunt work in the burning building is a stand-out. Is that Mr. Russell himself daring the flames? It certainly looks like him!