The Mysterious Desperado

Arizona cowboys (Tim Holt, Richard Martin) protect an heir (Edward Norris) from a California land-grant scam in this excellent example of a fast-paced, gripping western that doesn't let up on tension or action. The villain is a scheming one, keeping our heroes - Holt and Chico - on their toes. There's some good spooky atmosphere at the ranch, but it isn't a mystery as you know who the culprit halfway through.

The Mysterious Desperado has one Chito Jose Gonzalez Bustamante Rafferty becoming a possible heir to a large Spanish ranch out in California as Richard Martin's uncle has died intestate. The executor of the estate has sent for him and Martin and Tim Holt head for California.

There is the matter of Chito's cousin played by Edward Norris who will or no will would be the logical heir. Nothing about this is mentioned in the letter. When Holt and Martin arrive in California they find out that Norris is a fugitive wanted for killing his father. And some mysterious people keep trying to kill Chito as well.

Even before it's all laid out for you toward the end of the film it's not too hard to figure out who's behind all this and their motivation. Still The Mysterious Desperado rates high among the Tim Holt westerns for RKO.

Mysterious Desperado Is Excellent In the Tim Holt Westerns, The Scenery Alone Of Lone Pine,California Is Worth the Hour Spent Viewing Tim & His Pal! Chito In An Action Packed Classic We All Loved So Dearly Before TV Wiped Out The Oldtime Movie Theaters. Tim Was An Excellent Actor, And A Super Western Hero. He & Chito Gave Us The Best In Westerns- Mysterious Desperado Has An Excellent Cast Of Supporting Players Plus The RKO Movie Town-Lone Pine Castle, And An Old Mission. It Has The Look And Feel Of A Major Western, And Holds Up Even By Today's Technology. One Can Get Lost In The Times It Was Made As It Takes Us Back To Yesteryear When Tim Rode Regular On The Big Screen. If Color Had been Used On This Picture, It Would Have To Be Considered The Classic Is It.I Certainly Reccomend It, And Rate It 4 Stars Out Of 4. View It, And Place Your Mind In The Era it was Made, And You Will Be Entertained.(Billy Holcomb)