Homesteaders of Paradise Valley

Being very partial, like I am, to BHB Cowboy-Dudes, Allan Lane, as Red Ryder, was the #1 reason why I so generously gave Homesteaders Of Paradise Valley 8 stars. Without Allan Lane, as Red Ryder, this film would've probably only rated in at about 5.

Like actors Jim Davis, Rex Lease, Johnny Mack Brown, Guinn Williams, and Buck Jones, Allan Lane ranks right up there as one of my top choices for B-Movie cowboys from Hollywood's heyday of Westerns (1935-1959).

In my books Lane is a bona-fide BHB Cowboy who definitely embodies all of the essential qualities required to satisfy me as an ardent Western fan.

Masculine, husky, with rugged good looks, Allan Lane was a very likable, mature-minded actor who had an easy-going, no-nonsense screen persona. This is the sort of thing that really appeals to me when it comes to B-Movie cowboys.

As a Western movie goes, Homesteaders Of Paradise Valley was certainly enjoyable enough. My one beef about this one had to do with Red Ryder's sidekick, Little Beaver, played by a 14 year-old Robert Blake.

All made up to be a Native Indian, Blake's character was not fitting or to my liking, at all. Little Beaver offered no comedy relief, nor, for that matter, did he offer anything worthwhile to the story in any way. This seemingly less-than-bright kid often times appeared to be hampering Red Ryder's attempts at heroism rather than help him. Thank goodness that Little Beaver wasn't present in every scene, or always at Ryder's side.

Anyways - Homesteaders Of Paradise Valley's story goes like this - Red Ryder convinces settlers to take up residence in Paradise Valley, much to the annoyance of businessmen from nearby Central City, who have big plans to build a dam there and then use the water for their own selfish purposes.

Working behind the scenes with Red Ryder, in order to get the dam built, these shifty businessmen then cheat the homesteaders out of their water rights at a stock holders' meeting and then, when trouble starts to brew, automatically lay the full blame on Ryder.

Red Ryder convinces homesteaders to settle in Paradise Valley. Business men in nearby Central City want control of the valley and water supply and propose to build a dam for half interest in the land. They use Red to generate interest in the dam but when the dam is completed, they rig the stockholder's meeting so Central City will get the water. The homesteaders then go after Red whom they think is responsilble

Ok Red Ryder with an interesting storyline and an annoying villain who disagrees with what Red's trying to do. It's standard affair, but still enjoyable and has some exciting action - the wagon scene at the end is a great stunt. Rocky Allan Lane is great as Red Ryder and has a natural way about him.

Allan Lane seemed to fit right into the Red Ryder role as Herbert J. Yates tried bigger budget items for Bill Elliott hoping he would have a breakout career like his number one contract player John Wayne. Lane was built about the same, had similar features and even a deep voice that sounded like Elliott. I didn't hear him claim to be a peaceable man though.

In Homesteaders Of Paradise Valley Red Ryder, Little Beaver and his aunt the Duchess are leading homesteaders to a place that sounds like heaven. But in fact the place has a raging river that is uncontrolled in the winter months and leaves the valley dry in the summer. What's needed there is a kind of mini-Tennessee Valley Authority and that's what Red Ryder proposes. Until then he proposes some rationing.

But a couple of brother villains who want to grab the whole valley start a propaganda campaign against Ryder to undermine. In the film they nearly succeed because the settlers seem to be an easily led group of sheep.

Fans of the Red Ryder series should like this one.