Desert Passage

Actor Tim Holt uses his own name to play another western protagonist in this story about a man with ill-gotten money who wants to leave Arizona territory before others can appropriate the cash for themselves. Holt and his comic sidekick, Chito (Richard Martin), sign on to protect the fleeing man (Walter Reed as John Carver).

Among those sniffing around for the funds are Clayton Moore (TV's Lone Ranger) as Dave Warwick and Dorothy Patrick as Roxie Van Zell.

Dissatisfied with his scripts, Holt made this his final role with RKO. The film also features music by Paul Sawtell, who was terrifically prolific. In 1952 alone, he worked on more than thirty films.

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.

Newly released criminal John Carver retrieves his stolen loot. He hires unsuspecting stagecoach drivers Tim Holt and Chito Rafferty to take him to Mexico. He is hounded by two other criminals. Emily Bryce recognizes him and tries to warn others.

The first part is a bit murky until everything is revealed. I do like where the story gets to although Tim Holt and Chito do come off looking a bit dumb. They could have asked Emily, but they're too busy dismissing her for being a woman. This is the last of Tim Holt with RKO. These movies have been losing money. It is getting a bit old by this point, but it is a solid example of this type of B-western.

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.

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."