Sinister Journey

I have been watching all the Hoppy movies on the Western Channel for over a year and from what I saw and what critics have said is that the ones made from 1935 to about 1942 were the best ones and from that point they started to go downhill and the ones produced by William Boyd which this one was were the poorest in quality. Well I cannot agree as this one was certainly one of the best ones ever. It had to do with problems at a railroad co. and there were plenty of scenes of trains and they did not look like stock footage and the plot was not boring. I enjoyed this Hoppy movie and I recommend it.

Engrossing western with mystery elements finds Hopalong and co. getting involved in intrigue at the railway. Love the trains, makes it a unique setting. Though there isn't much action, the plot is tight and draws you in and keeps you watching.

In the 63rd of the 66th Hopalong Cassidy movies, William Boyd and pals Andy Clyde and Rand Brooks are working on the railroad. It seems that Hoppy knows the CEO of the line, just as he knows everyone west of the Pecos, and daughter Elaine Riley has gotten married to John Kellogg, and there's been some mighty strange things going on.... and when someone gets killed, it's up to Hoppy to clear Kellogg.

The Hopalong Cassidy series often seemed more concerned in putting Boyd in a situation where cattlemen wouldn't be seen -- although I don't think I've seen any where he's in favor of sheep. That said, it's a well shot and directed effort, with a story that makes a good deal of sense. Boyd was a competent actor, if not the best of line readers, the series was popular and he clearly spent money as executive producer that showed up on screen, resulting in a very nice B Western.

"Sinister Journey" is one of the last Hopalong Cassidy films. However, despite there being more than five dozen before it, the story is original and is well worth seeing. I appreciate this because MOST B-westerns have 2 or 3 basic plots...and this one doesn't fit into any of them.

When the story begins, Hoppy helps a young couple. It seems that someone deliberately contaminated their well with loco weed...and Hoppy's quick thinking helped the wife feel much better. Then you learn that the husband, Lee, is NOT exactly the local railroad owner's pal, as Lee ran off with his daughter against her father's wishes. They seem happy enough and it looks like Hoppy has made a couple friends.

Soon after this, Hoppy goes to see the father-in-law, Tom Smith. As you'd expect, they know each other and are long-time friends...but Smith insists that Lee is a jerk and he's not about to forgive and forget. Into this animosity lurks a stranger...one who will exploit this animus for his own awful reasons. Soon, Smith is murdered and Lee is set up for the killing....and it's all part of this awful plan. What is the plan and why and who is behind it? See the film.

This film has a lot of false leads and surprises...nearly earning it an 8. Well worth seeing, and if you want to see it, try YouTube as they have the most pristine and well preserved prints--not the trimmed down TV versions of the 1950s.

AKA "Two Gun Territory." Unfortunately, neither of the two guns in the alternate (rerelease?) title belonged to Hoppy. He's completely gunless throughout this movie (is this the only movie in the series in which he never carries a gun?). Although I was tipped off at the outset by his rancher's (non-black) clothes & hat, I did expect at least a little action in this film. It's hardly a "western," in that there are no gunfights involving Hoppy (although others use guns a couple of times), no horse chases, & only one fist fight (again, not involving Hoppy). Lucky doesn't even get to do his "usual thing" with the young heroine, because in this movie, she's married! The plot is set up like a mystery in a western setting; the music soundtrack is also much more that of a mystery movie than a western movie. Plenty of comedy, though, & some of it was pretty good, but this film is one of the poorest in the Hopalong Cassidy series, as well as being one of the last half dozen films Boyd made as Cassidy. Even the Hopalong Cassidy TV series had more action (& certainly more mystery) than this film. Disappointing, even to a great Hoppy fan. I had to rate it only 4/10.