Federal Agent at Large

Taylor and Rockwell are serviceable b- and c- level leading men of the era who undoubtedly worked for a discount salary. Thats OK, they are what they are and never do a bad job in any role. Dorothy Patrick is a well-built blonde who every man would want; she is very desirable while always maintaining a wholesomeness that can't be lost even in a bad-girl role like she has here. Estelita enhances this film with a lovely singing voice and an engaging upbeat persona- she really sings beautifully and she is worth your time to hear. Excellent supporting actors round out the cast.

This film is made strictly according to the b-movie government agent formula of the era (in this case customs agents), and you have seen it all before. Most of it is indoors on routine cheap movie sets. However, finally near the end some money is expended by the producers and you get some real action location work at an actual seaport. These scenes are pretty good and lead to a satisfying conclusion. After all, there is nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned formula style rousing ending, is there?

This group of lesser-known actors do good work and keep "Federal Agent At Large" watchable for me.

There's a criminal ring smuggling gold from Mexico to the United States, and the Feds haven't had much luck tracking down who they are or how they're doing it. So agent Kent Taylor heads down to Mexico and has no trouble infiltrating the organization that seems to be run by Dorothy Patrick. She's in love with archeologist Robert Rockwell, who is also part of the gang, and they want out. The trouble is the mysterious "Mr. Upstairs" who is actually in charge. She's afraid to even tell Taylor who he is.

I suppose that's what happens when you've got another twenty minutes to kill to bringthe movie up to second feature length. I thought the solution was random, but it's a good cast that fills out the ranks of this Republic Pictures movie, including Estelita Rodriguez, Thurston Hall, Frank Puglia, Denver Pyle, and Jonathan Hale. George Blair directs efficiently, as he always does, with no particular flair, alas.