Bandits of the West

The foreman of a ranch seeks to obstruct the laying of a gas pipeline to a nearby town for his own gain. A likeable but extremely minor Republic B-movie which sees prolific Western hero Allen Lane approaching the end of his screen career (before becoming the voice of TV's Mr Ed). It's fast-paced and likeable with some energetic fight scenes and the obligatory semi-comical sidekick with whiskers, and benefits from an unusual storyline concerning the arrival of gas to the Old West.

Marshal Rocky Lane learns of a plan to obstruct the promotion of natural gas in his town. Bud Galloway, ranch boss for Jeff Chadwick who has just gained his release from prison, is the ringleader of the gang fighting the gas company, headed by Joanne Collier.

Western hero Allan "Rocky" Lane approaches the end of his western screen career in this rather standard issue film with some energetic fight scenes and a fast paced plot - the storyline concerning the arrival of gas in the old west is unusual. Theres the obligatory semi-comical sidekick with whiskers by Eddy Waller, who is quite a good help to Rocky.

Rocky's penultimate series western and, indeed, one of the very last B westerns to be released.

By 1953, television was looming large and even the injection of some quirky and original story lines into the Republic product was not enough to save the day.

The plot here revolves around the introduction of gas lighting into a typical western town and the different reactions of those most affected. To some, it is a thing of beauty to be cherished: to others, it is the work of the devil. Unsurprisingly, black-hearted Roy Barcroft is in neither camp: he sees it only as a means of destroying those seeking to inhibit his villainy. Lucky, indeed, that Marshal Rocky is on hand to put a stop to his nefarious schemes.

Otherwise, it's business as usual with the obligatory chases, punch-ups and shoot outs from a more than adequate cast. Lane, Waller and Barcroft, in particular, are always good value for money. But, having said that, there are moments when there is a distinct lack of urgency and even these stalwarts appear to be simply going through the motions.

Perhaps they knew that the end of the trail was just around the next corner.....