Fast on the Draw

This Lippert Picture starring James Ellison and Russell Hayden concerns a psychological phobia that Ellison has about using a revolver for other than trick shooting in a rodeo. Back in the day his parents were gunned down by the notorious outlaw The Cat who no one knows what he looks like. An interesting idea for a western, especially from a poverty row studio like Lippert.

Despite the phobia and with Hayden selling a bill of goods to the townspeople, Ellison and Hayden are made marshal and deputy to find the notorious Cat. You'll be surprised at who it is.

Hayden with his garrulousness reminds me of Gabby Hayes when the two of them partnered with Hopalong Cassidy. It's entertaining and amusing to say the least.

If some major studio had done Fast On The Draw it might have been worthwhile.

As a boy, Shamrock's parents were killed. He took possession of a pistol belonging to his father, a famous marshal. Now that he is grown, he takes the job of marshal and uses the same gun, but he still has to solve the mystery of what happened to his parents.

Standard shoot them up that stars two former Hopalong sidekicks and features a young and beautiful Julie Adams. It has plenty of gunplay and galloping, and the psychological phobia when drawing a gun Shamrock is inflicted with is an interesting aspect, however it's not emphasised enough, and he seems to be cured very easily at the end. Perhaps remembering what happened to his parents relieved him of his phobia. It's an entertaining enough, though.

In this early 1950's sagebrush drama, two former Hopalong Cassidy sidekicks get a chance at starring roles. James Ellison and Russell Hayden do well in this western saga of a lawman tangling with the scalawag that gunned down his folks years before.

Especially notable is the casting of the great Fuzzy Knight in a dual role as Deacon and bad guy !! Knight often played sidekicks himself, but excels here in a more high profile part. The capable cast also includes Tom Tyler and the hard-working George Chesboro.

Even though the leads were not as well-known as other cowboy stars, this film is worth checking out. Its definitely B-level material, but fun for the western movie fan.