Night Riders of Montana

Fred C Brannon the director will forever be for me the co director of the Republic Pictures serials of the forties, with the master and cult serial director Wiilliam Witney - CRIMSOM GHOST - and more serials co directing with Spencer Gordon Bennett, not that bad either, even more prolific than Witney. However, without William Witney or Spencer Gordon Bennet, Fred C Brannon was at the same level as the likes of Philip Ford or the first RG Springsteen before he becomes more ambitious. Here, don't expect anything special, it is a chain made western, identical to many many others of this kind. And even if you have a small detail which is special, unusual, you'll miss it because of the bland direction. I am not sure the makers noticed this interesting detail, it was just there, by chance. Pure hazard. Only for crazy B westerns die hard fans.

I got the impression that the writer tried too hard to make this different. Dumb-ole-me was able to keep up, but, its many twists and turns are too lengthy to recount here. Some superficial content of the plot portrays recalcitrant horse-raiser, Steve, subsequently apologizing for his individuality. While doing so, however, the ONE nearby person listening to him, is murdered from afar; therefore, Steve appears guilty. A regional lawman (Lane) is passing by and witnesses Steve's innocence, but, aware of widespread anti-Steve sentiment, Steve accepts an alternate offer of help to evade the lynch mob. Little does he know that his "helpers" want Steve to obtain some information and impart it to them. Lane works to get to the bottom of all this. Except for its complexity, it's a rather routine Western effort.

Rocky Lane plays a ranger, on a mission to stop some horse rustlers. The usual fast-galloping action is assisted by a tight plot which is more twisty than usual. Really had me glued to the seat, and the villain was really clever. Great stuff.