The Texas Kid

This is one of 19 films in which Johnny Mack Brown played Marshal McKenzie for Monogram Pictures. In all or nearly all, his sidekick was Marshal Hopkins (Raymond Hatton). All the ones I have seen have been pretty good , though I wouldn't consider most of them must-see films.

When this movie begins there's a falling out in a gang and the Texas Kid leaves after shooting one of the members. Why? Because apparently this guy just killed the Kid's father! Soon after, you see Marshal McKenzie heading into town. It seems he's been trying to work with the Kid...to get him to give up his life of crime and to become the productive member of society McKenzie thinks he can be. What's next? See the film.

The acting by Brown and the action are good. But there also is a sort of adequateness about the film...nothing bad, nothing outstanding either. A reasonably enjoyable programmer...and nothing more.

Although Johnny Mack Brown stars in this film he does not play the title role. That part falls to young Marshall Reed who is The Texas Kid.

Brown is a United States Marshal who is assigned to break up the Scully gang of which it is rumored Reed is a member of. Reed is quite the wild youth, but Brown who knows him from way back when has faith in him even if Brown's partner Raymond Hatton is dubious of the proposition.

The gang that Brown thinks Reed is active in has got quite a diverse set of activities. The leader who is the head of the gang and who Brown and Hatton are looking for is also trying to get title to a ranch that Cyril Ring owns. Quite the enterprising group.

This Johnny Mack Brown western is below par, his westerns are usually a lot better.

Marshals Nevada and Sandy are after Scully and his gang who have been robbing stage-coaches. The Texas Kid is part of the gang and Sandy thinks he is bad but Nevada knows him and thinks he may be good.

A competent Johnny Mack Brown western centred around the Texas kid who wants to reform but his former gang doesn't want him to. It's a familiar story but it has good characterisations and engages the viewer, though the ending was a bit unexpected. I thought there would be a happy ending.