Desert Passage

The only reason why I watched this tepid and forgettable western is that because it was directed by Lesley Selander - a western maker whose filmography has always interested me, I don't know why - and also because I have always been curious of RKO B westerns, I also don't now why: Republic Pictures, Monogram, PRC - all no majors companies - but RKO .... The film itself looks like thousands of others of this kind. It remains a good time waster which you will rapidly forget just after the viewing. And the short length helps to appreciate it, beecause it is not boring, with a good music and cute western atmosphere.

Tim and Chito, his sidekick are hired to bring a shady character to mexico. But it's rough territory. And those best laid plans always go awry. Joan Dixon is Emily, who's mixed up in this somehow, but isn't saying anything to anyone. But she seems to know the stranger in town (walter Reed) . And now there are two men following them. Who's the good guy and who is the bad guy? Clay Moore was the Lone Ranger, in films and in the tv series. Tim Holt was king of the westerns, but died young at 54 from cancer. Directed by Les Selander. He and holt had made 21 films together! It's good.. the usual western. Shooting. Galloping. Bank robbers. Coyotes.

Compared to other Holt westerns I have seen, Desert Passage takes a back seat to action and the plot unravels slowly. At times, I was a little confused over what it's about but 20 minutes in it picks up some pace. Basically an ex-convict has returned to collect the stolen money he had embezzled and then hides it in a bridle. Other greedy characters want the money, while Tim Holt and Chico try to stop them. This western is competent with good characterisation and suspense but I found it a little meandering at times and lacking action. The stagecoach chase finale is excitingly filmed.

Newly released criminal John Carver retrieves his stolen loot. He hires unsuspecting stagecoach drivers Tim Holt and Chito Rafferty to take him to Mexico. He is hounded by two other criminals. Emily Bryce recognizes him and tries to warn others.

The first part is a bit murky until everything is revealed. I do like where the story gets to although Tim Holt and Chito do come off looking a bit dumb. They could have asked Emily, but they're too busy dismissing her for being a woman. This is the last of Tim Holt with RKO. These movies have been losing money. It is getting a bit old by this point, but it is a solid example of this type of B-western.

Actor Tim Holt uses his own name to play another western protagonist in this story about a man with ill-gotten money who wants to leave Arizona territory before others can appropriate the cash for themselves. Holt and his comic sidekick, Chito (Richard Martin), sign on to protect the fleeing man (Walter Reed as John Carver).

Among those sniffing around for the funds are Clayton Moore (TV's Lone Ranger) as Dave Warwick and Dorothy Patrick as Roxie Van Zell.

Dissatisfied with his scripts, Holt made this his final role with RKO. The film also features music by Paul Sawtell, who was terrifically prolific. In 1952 alone, he worked on more than thirty films.