Lightning Carson Rides Again

I few weeks ago, I saw a Tim McCoy film where he played a character named 'Lightning Bill Carson' and I had an absolute ball. While normally I expect very little out of a B-western starring the likes of Gene Autry, Roy Rogers or Tim McCoy (they are fun but VERY inconsequential), I was surprised how good it was...and that McCoy was a much better actor than I'd expected. In this film ("Code of the Cactus"), the played dual roles--Carson as well as going undercover as a Mexican bandit, José--and he did a very good job in both roles. So when I found out that there were about a half dozen Lighting Bill films, I was thrilled and had to see "Lightning Carson Rides Again".

Like the other film, this one is set in the present day--with cars and other modern touches you would not expect to see in a western--though it was VERY typical in films by his contemporaries. It begins with a group of crooks bushwhacking a couple guys in a car out west. One is killed and the other (a relative of Lightning Bill Carson) escapes the hail of bullets. However, the gang members swear that they saw this brother kill the other guy--so he's forced to go into hiding. Then, Lighting Bill comes to town to prove that his brother is not the killer...and he poses as the wonderful José to prove the man's innocence.

This film is once again quite enjoyable--though I did like "Code of the Cactus" a bit more. Still, because of the quality of the film, I can't wait to try to see the rest. They are clearly better than the typical film of the genre due to better acting and no sappy songs.

Also, if you have a chance, read the IMDb biography on McCoy--what an interesting fellow.

Firstly a few details of his life (from the IMDb biography and other sources).After leaving school, Mc Coy worked on a Wyoming ranch where he became an expert horseman and roper. A patriotic American, during WW1, he enlisted in the US Army rising to the rank of Colonel. He would also serve his country during WW2 when he would enlist in the Army Air Corps earning several decorations for his service in Europe. In 1921 , he resigned from the army and entered the Movies. His first job was technical adviser for the great epic movie "The Covered Wagon. ( the making of this movie is also an an epic story and would make a fascinating feature movie and a tribute to the courage of American Pioneers).Tim then became an actor and for a time was a major cowboy star. Although , his later movies were low budget , they are all noted for his honesty and high moral qualities and he can properly be compared to Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. The films of these actors are today being enjoyed by numerous fans and movie collectors

The ambition is draining out of these under the supervision of Sam Katzman and this one is a no frills B western without the stunt action or panorama shots that distinguish the best.

Col. Tim in his repeater character of Lightning Bill Carson is all set to go on a fishing vacation (weak comedy with James Flaven - sic) from the Justice Department when he learns that his nephew Terry is wanted for robbery and murder back home.

McCoy shows up in his plausible Mexican character. He even gets to share the last few steps of her routine with the saloon dancer. He has some fun with this - after the shot of the menacing looking henchmen at the card table saying "You are sure these are honest men, Señor?" He actually plays his age and his moves are plausible. Barclay is Terry's squeeze.

Tim's accepted as a suitable fence for the stolen bank notes remarkable easily and joins the gang for their big Sunday robbery to meet the unknown boss.

Short on action - the ten o'clock shoot out with the bad hat waiting outside the saloon occurs off screen - and having music only under the titles and a final gallop. A couple of optical effects, no songs.

Tim Mccoy, who, for some odd reason is listed as "Colonel Tim Mccoy' in the credits, as if that would make him sound more courageous sounding, (It actually sounds more ridiculous) "returns" (where did he go?) in Lighting Carson Strikes Again. In this movie, he must try to find out who framed his brother for a robbery and murder he did not commit. Well, that's the first half of the movie. The brother seems to disappear after the first half (off to L.A. from what I can tell) and then Carson seeks to infiltrate the group to try to stop any future holdups from the gang. This involves him, yes, dressing like a Mexican and sort of talking like a Mexican, cutely switching his words from time to time. How the cowboys, who must have some dealings with Mexicans, let this pass I'll never know. Anyways, Mccoy still can't shoot properly, still has the biggest cowboy hat you'll ever see and still looks that silly way whenever he looks annoyed. This was an OK time-waster.