Cilada Fatal

"The Denver Kid" is a strong and riveting B-western that everyone in the production should have been very proud of. The story about a lawman going undercover to get the goods on a badman is a familiar idea, but this Republic Studio entry sparkles in it's imaginative and richly-appointed presentation. Rocky Lane goes undercover to a dangerous, well-acknowledged gang-controlled town on the other side of the "border" where all but one or two of its' citizens are not law breaking fugitives of the first order. The story is attention-holding, even if only perhaps somewhat plausible, and is told with energy and with all production details admirably respected. There is action in this one, as one would expect from a Rocky Lane adventure. but it is really presented in the cause of moving the story ever forward, not just because action must be had. The story is supreme in this film and the cast members convey their respect for it through their energetic and professional interpretations. Even Rocky's horse Black Jack gives a performance that will long be remembered and admired. The film's opening music-- complex, stirring, and mood-setting-- introduces a sequence of beautiful and artistically composed outdoor scenes in the film's first minute or two, serving as a prompt for the viewer to prepare for a late 1940's B-western experience that is a cut above the norm. Be aware, however, that there are a couple of brutal events portrayed in the film which really remind us that this is not just a juvenile-targeted B-western romp, but rather a serious treatment of a grim-premised adventure movie. All Rocky Lane fans and most western movie fans will find this one a wholly worthy motion picture.

This is not only one of the best in the Rocky Lane series of westerns but the title actually relates to the story. Rocky goes undercover as always and takes the name "The Denver Kid." Nuggett is around as always as the go-between. Why Nuggett is always re-introduced to Rocky in each film is still a bit hazy to me, but the producers must have had a reason for it. And the beautiful Blackjack is there to do his part to save Rocky. This time he leads a herd of horses across the border to where Rocky actually has legal jurisdiction to deal with the outlaws. Rory Mallison as Jason Fox does a good job in a role that reminds one of the historical attempt by Aaron Burr to carve out a piece of United States territory for himself to rule as a dictator. At first, I thought Rory Mallison was the great western actor John Russell until I saw his face up close. There was one minor problem I had with the movie. Why was Emmett Vogan chosen to play Captain Stan Roberts? He was around 55 at the time and Captain Roberts was supposed to be a much younger man, in his 20's or 30's. Emmett vogan was a fine character actor but much too old for the part. If you like plenty of action and a good story for a Saturday afternoon oater, this is a film to see.

Rocky Lane is someone I don't remember seeing since ... well, probably decades ago. It's great to find "The Denver Kid" in a really good print at YouTube, and to find Rocky Lane is as good as I remember from my childhood.

He was a good-looking guy, and seemed athletic, handling his fight scenes and his riding well, and he sounded good.

Another good voice in "The Denver Kid" is Bill Henry as a confused young man. He had a long and busy career, and deserved it.

For some strange reason, the YouTube movie says the star is Eddy Waller! I guess the uploading person was or is a knucklehead. Or something. In truth, Eddy Waller was an excellent actor, and a busy one. He has credits of 268 roles here at IMDb!

Some people might write him off as a silly sidekick, but in fact he was a character actor of quite some range.

Unlike in so many movies, even B-Westerns, there is no important female role in "The Denver Kid." A charming and attractive Peggy Wynne has a near-cameo as "Mitzie," but it's mostly males in this entertaining film.

Other than Lane and maybe Waller, there are no really famous actors but there are some very talented players. Rory Mallinson, for example, is really smooth as an ambitious villain, and shows himself to have been capable of and qualified for many more and bigger roles.

One surprise -- again, to me -- was the great Douglas Fowley as a bad-guy cowboy. I can't recall seeing him in any other Western and he nearly stole this entire film. From slimy thug to cowed and cowardly villain, he is simply magnificent in this role.

There are more excellent performers, and great directing and photography, and good scenery, and I strongly recommend "The Denver Kid."

When Border Patrol Lieut. Roberts is killed, it appears that his brother Tim was the killer. To clear the Robert's name for his boss, Lieut. Rocky Lane heads south of the border posing as an outlaw and encounters a leader of Cemetary Ridge -known as the fox- who has ambitions to take over the territory. Rory Mallinson who plays this character has the mix of flamboyance and menace; a different villain for Rocky Allan Lane to tackle.

This entry is a very good one, the story and characterisations boosting it up a score. Plus Eddy Waller as a pharmacist is good as usual. There's some good action, a nice stampede at the end, but there's a bit of suspense in this one and a top villain.