Sunset Carson Rides Again

At one time Sunset Carson was one of Republic Pictures stable of cowboy heroes. He went off on his own to films independently and that seems to have been a big mistake if Sunset Carson Rides Again is an example.

Other than it being done in color this one was a real cheapie with a rather silly plot that would have us believe that a fatally shot man wrote a letter while dying naming his murderer. Worse than that, he wrote an earlier letter that alluded to the fact that Carson was the one who did the foul deed.

What Sunset has on his mind was raising funds for a new school house and toward that end he's putting on a prize fight. But his partner John Cason has in mind to steal the funds raised and a horse being put up for the prize. He cripples the fighter Carson brought in and young Al Terry who has the mistaken grudge against Sunset substitutes because he boxed some in college.

I'm sure Terry fought someone in his weight class as Cason makes chopped liver of him in the ring. That was truly rather stupid.

The whole thing is a shoddy mess and I hope the others of Carsons post Republic films aren't as bad.

A staggeringly corny work made with a miniscule budget, this is one of four westerns produced by deservedly little-known Yucca Pictures, and features glyphic Sunset Carson playing himself in his customary fashion, i.e., a discomposed delivery of dialogue when not sitting atop a horse - which he does with surety - the plot presenting Al Terry as Bob Ward (listed as Wade in the titular credits) seeking to avenge the murder of his father, apparently the work of the eponymous hero. Filmed in colour, uncommon for the period and genre, the movie is cumbered by pitiable production values, as well as possibly the most embarrassingly poor stunt work to be found in a professional effort, yet includes in its cast some capable character actors, including a winsome Pat Starling whose clear soprano graces a duet with Terry, and a viewer must be glad indeed that several musical novelty numbers are presented featuring gifted fiddler Buddy McDowell.

Ole Sunset Carson! The story opens as his acting coach rides into the sunset, shrugging his shoulders and mumbling, "I give up." To his credit, Carson looks good atop a horse. It's when he hits the ground and 'recites' his lines when things get rough.

The 6'4" - er - actor stars in the color extravaganza along with a host of veteran performers who, in a way, acquit themselves fairly well. Best of 'em is co-star Al Terr, a New Yorker who probably learned to ride in Central Park. He is a Farley Granger lookalike.

John Cason, the resident meanie, has been in many films and teevee shows, and the lovely Pat Starling has also been around. She had worked before with Sunset. She is a vision with a lovely voice and, speaking of music, the Rodeo Revelers provided the movie's highlight with some really good offerings.

A big minus were the fight scenes. Very poor choreography. Guys are knocked down and out, and opponents responsible look like they're striking the air. There was a boxing scene involving Terr and Cason, however, that was well staged.

Finally! I was prepared to thoroughly dislike the movie, a cheapie to end all cheapies, but as it went along I found it somewhat enjoyable - well - tolerable. I said tolerable not terrible.

Sunset Carson saves a young easterner in the desert and brings him back to his ranch, where Sunset is planning a boxing exhibition to fund a new school, while his crooked partner and brutish ranch-hands are planning to take the money. Meanwhile, the young man agrees to fight for Carson, despite allegations that Sunset killed his father!

There's nothing much to recommend about this B-western, except for the color photography and some great fiddling by The Rodeo Revelers. The acting is bad and the action is often times pretty inept. While certainly not the worst B-western of the 1940's, there's definitely better examples.

Sunset sure is brawny though. He just doesn't have much to do in the mostly talky script.

Ollie Drake was one of the great B Western writers, but as a director? Based on this sample, not so much.

Sunset Carson was a very likable man (and I met him in person quite a while after this movie and he was still very likable), but he was never known as a good actor. Well, in this movie, he was almost the best in the cast.

He was a tall and good-looking man, and apparently very strong. In one scene, he has to pick up another actor and, holding him on his shoulder, he mounts his horse! Most other actors would have had to drape the other over the horse then mount. Quite a feat.

Standing out in the acting category was veteran villain John Cason, for some reason billed here as Bob Cason. He had a couple scenes where he had to take off his shirt and he showed he was a well-built and athletic-looking guy.

Female lead was Pat Starling. Almost nothing is known about her except that she has 15 credits. She was a beautiful woman, and with a better director could have been seen as a very good actress.

Providing music was one of the best Western bands I've seen and heard, The Rodeo Revelers seem to have made only this movie but the apparent leader, Buddy McDowell, was in two. He was quite a good fiddler.

In one song, they sounded a bit like the Sons of the Pioneers, but in others they had their own sound, which was a good one. No credits are given, but at least one song sounds like the work of Oliver Drake.

There is a pretty good print at YouTube. It's not great movie-making, but it has Sunset Carson and that's enough reason to watch.