Bar 20

I didn't really know what to expect from this movie. I was literally only watching it because of my love for George Reeves in The Adventures of Superman. I was not disappointed, and ended up enjoying it on the whole. I've never watched an old western before (or many westerns at all, really), but it was an entertaining watch, with appealing protagonists, a pretty interesting plot line with schemes, people getting framed, action, etc., and even some great humor. It's sure to entertain for anyone who likes this sort of thing. Despite all the shootings and whatnot, the entire thing has a warm, kid-friendly feel that I assume was more typical of movies from a simpler time. And of course, I enjoyed George as much as ever. He was cute and young and got a decent amount of screen time, and was the same great guy I knew from Superman.

This movie is just under an hour long, so it's not a great time investment. If you're a fan of any actors or of this genre, I recommend this film.

Robert Mitchum who got his start in movies in the Hopalong Cassidy series usually played outlaws in his appearances. But in Bar 20 Mitchum plays an earnest but rather thickheaded and proud young bridegroom who just cannot believe the obvious. The obvious being that his best friend and best man Victory Jory is trying to rob and swindle him.

Bar 20 finds Hoppy and his sidekicks George Reeves and Andy Clyde on a trip to Betty Blythe's ranch to buy some cattle and Hoppy's carrying a wad of cash. Our heroes as it happens rescue Blythe and her daughter Dustine Farnum from a stagecoach holdup though the outlaws get away with her expensive engagement ring.

Later on Hoppy and the sidekicks are robbed of the cash. It's a rather complex series of events that convinces Hoppy that Jory is the one behind it. But no one can convince Mitchum that Hoppy and his sidekicks aren't the bad guys. Apparently the reputation that Hopalong Cassidy has in the west counts for nothing. I'm sure the kids in 1943 who saw this on Saturday afternoon thought Mitchum was the stupidest guy alive.

George Reeves did many Cassidy features himself, but this was his one and only shot at being a regular sidekick. I wonder why Harry Sherman didn't use him further in that role.

A bit more plot than usual distinguishes Bar 20 from the usual Cassidy films. But I'm sure the kids liked it as will you.

"Bar 20" was the name of the ranch that Hoppy and the boys worked for. In this entry its hardly mentioned except in passing. As was the case in many series westerns, the title had little or nothing to do with the plot.

The story has Hoppy (William Boyd) and his two sidekicks Andy Clyde and George Reeves on a cattle buying trip but becoming embroiled in a series of holdups for which they are ultimately blamed. It seems that chief villain Victor Jory and his gang (including Douglas Fowley and Francis McDonald) are plotting to cheat young rancher Robert Mitchum out of his land and ruin his marriage plans with fiance Dustine Farnum. Well Hoppy and the boys manage to sort things out and bring the villains to justice by the final reel as we knew they would.

The Hopalong Cassidy series had been going since 1935. The high quality of the Harry (Pop) Sherman produced pictures had been maintained putting it way ahead of other series westerns of the day. Boyd was not your typical "B" western hero. He was middle aged with white hair which gave him an air of respect and maturity lacking in other "B" western heroes of the day. The films were also blessed with good supporting casts and great locations.

George Reeves, who would go on to play TV's Superman, makes his only appearance in the series as Hoppy's sidekick, although he had played other parts in other Hoppy films. Robert Mitchum in one of his first substantial roles, was about to emerge as a major star in "A" budget films. I am not aware if heroine Dustine Farnum was any relation to the silent film star Dustin Farnum.

A solid entry in the series. A good early performance from Mitchum.

A stand-out Hoppy. There's lots of Lone Pine scenery including the neolithic Alabama Hills. Those rock spires are made for ambushes, and they get a good workout here. Lots of hard riding too, with some gunplay and flying fists. I was hoping for a broad-shoulder championship between Adams (Mitchum) and Lin (Reeves)—that would have been some bout. Actually, Hoppy shares a lot of time with an outstanding cast that includes movie great Mitchum in one of his early roles, Superman's Reeves whose mysterious death is still debated, along with premier bad guy Jory, carnival barker Hodgins, and comic relief Clyde. Almost all the scenes are on location except for a few courtyard studio set-ups. My only gripe is with the convoluted plot, but you can probably follow it better than I could. Two take-aways from the oater-- If you fall into a well, don't ask Tom (Hodgins) to help you out, and if you know a mule named Molly, be sure to bring your guitar. Enjoy!

Outlaws rob Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) and his sidekicks (Andy Clyde, George Reeves) of money meant for buying cattle in this fairly entertaining Hoppy western starring a young Robert Mitchum, one of a string of appearances in the series, but this time he playing a nice guy, though a little stubborn.