Desert Passage

The only reason why I watched this tepid and forgettable western is that because it was directed by Lesley Selander - a western maker whose filmography has always interested me, I don't know why - and also because I have always been curious of RKO B westerns, I also don't now why: Republic Pictures, Monogram, PRC - all no majors companies - but RKO .... The film itself looks like thousands of others of this kind. It remains a good time waster which you will rapidly forget just after the viewing. And the short length helps to appreciate it, beecause it is not boring, with a good music and cute western atmosphere.

There are plenty of them in here, for fans of this, I think this is a good programmer. Lots of things occurring, people entering and exiting rooms, on horses, in carriages, amidst the desert obviously.

This was Tim Holt playing the boss of his own nitwit stagecoach line, along with Richard Martin playing Chito Rafferty for the last time – apparently this was his 33rd outing. By now Holt was even chunkier but still looked the part runnin' jumpin' an' shootin', and looked relevant to the plot of yet another competent b western movie. He was only about 33 years old at the time but retired from films after this – the end of the gravy trail.

About to sell his and Chito's business they save the life and continue to protect a mysterious sinister grey templed gent with plenty of money who has to get somewhere fast to get away from a mysterious duo out to crease him. The plots thicken and the film bristles with mysterious baddies after the guy's money, eventually you're wondering if everyone has nobbled everyone else at least once with this aim. Not a very large cast and a not very large plot still make this entertaining to watch, just don't expect too much from a b film and it'll nearly always deliver. In fact it's fascinating in places: when Carver is initially shot at and his lack of gratitude but the depth of his pockets; lawyer Bronson's enigmatic appearance at the roadhouse; the escape from the bedroom down yes a knotted bedsheet; many others.

Although the script only paid lip service to human nature and plot development it's still nice and relaxing with nothing in it to worry about, like taking an hour's holiday. The biggest puzzle to me is all those clean crisp banknotes were so manhandled how come there was any left to handle at all by the end, and with such vicissitudes as they had gone through Chito was no fool in wanting to spend his share as fast as possible.

After trying out many different character names such as Dave Saunders, Dave Collins, Kansas Jones, Dave/Tim/Ross Taylor (just to name a few), Tim Holt began using his own name (on and off) for the series of Westerns he did with Richard Martin. By the way, Holt's birth name was Charles. Martin wisely stuck with the same character name of Chito Rafferty as Holt's Irish-Mexican sidekick and a sometimes comic relief.

The identity crisis aside, these westerns were usually short in length (this one is 59 min) and fairly entertaining. "Desert Passage" happened to be one of the best in the series supported by a competent cast of actors. Veteran screenwriter Norman Houston provided a neat script loaded with double-cross, intrigue and comedy. Holt is good in his role but he seems to have packed on a few pounds. Pay attention to Martin who has been blessed by the script with some real cracker lines.

The story tells of Holt and Rafferty being owner/operator of their "Lavic Stage Lines." They are on the end of their bankroll and are preparing to sell their business to the next "nitwit" who's willing to buy it.

The two men discovered that a few people in town are looking for a youngish man with greying temples. They then stumble onto the very person who was being attacked at gunpoint. After saving the man's life, our two heroes were offered $1000 for his protection and a ride on their stage coach to a safer destination south of Lavic.

The movie "Pulp Fiction" has a memorable line of "I'll be out within three shakes of a lamb's tail" which I never knew was an old saying. In "Desert Passage," Chito said "That will only take two shakes of a pig's tail!"

My main criticism with some of the series (or any other Westerns for that matter) is with the shooting action. Nobody seem to be able to aim accurately when a subject is exposed in the open unless necessary for the script. This is not as apparent in this movie.

Good fun B-Western. 7/10. Another one in the series I would recommend is "Storm Over Wyoming."

Compared to other Holt westerns I have seen, Desert Passage takes a back seat to action and the plot unravels slowly. At times, I was a little confused over what it's about but 20 minutes in it picks up some pace. Basically an ex-convict has returned to collect the stolen money he had embezzled and then hides it in a bridle. Other greedy characters want the money, while Tim Holt and Chico try to stop them. This western is competent with good characterisation and suspense but I found it a little meandering at times and lacking action. The stagecoach chase finale is excitingly filmed.