Billy the Kid Trapped

"Billy the Kid " from 1942 is a most clever, pleasant, and enjoyable B-western excursion, one that features the best of what the genre can offer. The story is fun and well developed... oh sure, there are a few plot devices that the keen observer will have to let pass, but for the most part, the story is attractive and unique, involving as it does a lookalike component that is more intricate and directly responsible for the film's reason for being than any I have heretofore seen. The comedic antics offered by Fuzzy in this one are only some in number, which is really just about right to set the tone for the invitation to the viewer to sit back and take in a relaxed and quite competently performed western whimsy. All this in spite of the fact that this picture comes from the infamously low-budgeted PRC organization.

Buster shows an excellent hero's persona in this one... strong, but yet relaxed and firmly comfortable to the point that he knows he can capably handle any difficulties that may arise, and rest assured plenty of difficulties indeed arise. Because Fuzzy showcases far fewer shenanigans in this film compared to many of the other films in their series, Buster doesn't have to play straight man all that much, which allows him to maintain a more consistent authoritative bearing. This authoritative posture allows the viewer to unquestionably respect his presence in the film. We see Buster firmly take his place as a cowboy hero in this one, one that most other western stars of the era consistently portrayed. And it makes the viewer feel good to see a no-nonsense hero seriously stand up without too much interference to the plentiful bad around him.

The rest of the cast is excellent in their roles, and the cheap sets are appropriately superb... the street scenes have an earthy and rustic feel about them. The interiors look worn and real, and the outdoor scenery is varied. Western movie action abounds, yes, including running horses with eyes aglow and manes afire, but it is the story and its unique bent that propels this PRC western movie to far more than ordinary.

Billy the Kid must track down three villains who carry out hold-ups disguised as him and his sidekicks Fuzzy and Jeff before he is jailed for the crimes. A serviceable but very minor B-Western which sees Buster Crabbe, the actor forever associated with the character of Flash Gordon, ditching his blonde dye job and pulling on a showbiz cowboy outfit. The film is at pains to emphasise just what a wholsome, All-American guy Billy the Kid is, which seems a bit odd when viewed today. A decent example of its kind, though.

Interesting storyline headed by the one and only Buster Crabbe with his trio chasing down their evil doppelgangers in a race to the finish. A stellar cast of great western actors set this movie in motion from the get go. Al St. John had some great scenes and good comic relief as usual. None other than Glenn Strange headed the band of outlaws and adeptly kept the tension high throughout. He had the help of a skillful band of henchman which included many great western names. I wish we could've seen more of Anne Jeffreys, but she was stunning in the scenes she was in. Billy The Kid Trapped breaks out to a wonderful adventure.

Awaiting execution for a murder they did not commit, Billy the kid, his sidekick Fuzzy Jones, and their pal Jeff are busted out by the real killers, a group of outlaws who proceed to impersonate them in order to rob and terrorize with impunity.

Billy then trails the killers to Mesa City, run by crooked town boss (and future Frankenstein monster) Glenn Strange, who's turned it into a safe hub for lawbreakers and realizes that in order to clear his name he'll have to clean up the town.

The ninth film in Producers Releasing Corporation's Billy The Kid series and Buster Crabbe's third, this is well paced and action packed, with some great gun battles, raucous fistfights, and nasty villains, definitely worthwhile for fans of the series.

A rather ordinary western story, except for the gimmick of a trio of outlaws dressing up like the Trio of Billy the Kid(Buster Crabbe), Fuzzy(Al St. John), and Jeff Walker(Bud McTaggart). Billy and Fuzzy are constants in the Billy the Kid PRC series. Sometimes, as here, a 3rd buddy is included, so that they more resemble such cowboy trios as Republic's Mesquiteers, and the partners Hopalong Cassidy, Lucky and Windy. Striking blond Anne Jeffries, in her first Hollywood role, at age 19, is the leading(only) lady. She would go on to have a long Hollywood and TV career, and died less than a year ago! She didn't have a lot to do here, mostly becoming convinced that the real Trio weren't committing the crimes they were blamed for...Glenn Strange plays Jim Stanton: the stereotypical-looking gang boss, with small moustache, dark looks, wearing a black hat and outfit. He looked much like I. Stanford Jolley, who sometimes played this role in this series........ Naturally, there is much confusion between who the people are dealing with, , and who is committing crimes. The fakes are part of Stanton's gang, which virtually rules Mesa City, having Sheriff Barton and Judge Clark on their pay. Things start off crazy, as the real Trio are in jail on a murder charge. The fake Trio is outside their cell window throwing them the key to their cell and some guns, and assuring them that their horses are nearby. (They created a shooting diversion in front of the jail to lure the sheriff outside)(How did they manage to get the key??). Stanton had ordered them to do this, because if the real Trio was known to be in jail or executed, they couldn't be blamed for crimes committed by their lookalikes!.......Sometimes things get confusing which sheriff we are dealing with. Sheriff Masters(honest) is sheriff of the county where we begin, but sometimes goes over to Mesa City, out of his jurisdiction, to deal with the real Trio. In one case, he was supposedly taking them back to his county jail, but as soon as he got over the county line, he released them. Sheriff Barton of Mesa City is in with Stanton's gang. There are some legal irregularities committed by the real Trio, when they arrest members of the gang, and put them in jail.......There are enough brawls, horse chases, shootings and stagecoach chases to satisfy most any western fan. It has a surprise humerous ending, which you can see at YouTube(along with the rest of the film.)