The Cactus Kid

This film has a slightly unusual scene that will probably stick in the memory.The villain and his henchman have killed the heroes partner and taken his money.They then have a discussion as to the best way to get rid of him.Now we are talking in the middle of an uninhabited prairie.So they come to the slightly ghoulish idea of cremating him.However for some strange reason they do not think to remove any items that wont burn.As a result part of the dead cowboys harmonica is quite extraordinarily found by the hero,which eventually leads him to the villains.Other than that this is a forgettable western more so by virtue of the fact that,at least to me ,the actors are all unknowns.The fist fights are abysmally staged and quite laughable.

By no means is this a low -budget western perfect ,but it so many good moments,it deserve the9 out of 10 i gave it.

By no means is this low-budget B western perfect, but it has so many good moments, it deserves the 9 out of 10 I gave it.

To see Slim Whitaker trying to lure a dance-hall girl back to his place then try to bully the swamper is alone worth the price of admission.

Slim, billed here as George, Whitaker was a staple in B westerns, and during those few roles where he was allowed to shine, he did!

There are some director flaws here, the director being Harry Webb who knew and usually did better, but there is a lot of fun as well as a lot of action.

Webb wasn't so good with the actors, but his story did move. And the development, including scenes in a ladies' wear shop, is both unusual and well done.

Jack Perrin, the nominal star, is new to me. In fact, I don't recall any other movie with him as star, but now that I've seen him, I want to see all his films.

Hal Taliaferro is here billed, as he so often was, as Wally Wales and is listed way down the cast list, but look for him.

"Rosie" is the girl for whom Pug, the Whitaker character, shows interest and she is played by Tina Menard who is cute as the proverbial spotted pup. You won't be able to miss her.

When you watch this, dispel any preconceived notions. The bad guys are the most astonishing mixture of character traits I have ever seen in a B western.

"The Cactus Kid" is, despite some directorial problems, and maybe an editing flaw or two, in many ways an unusual B western, and I highly recommend it.