Gun Smugglers

A cowboy (Tim Holt) and his sidekick (Richard Martin) reform a wagon-train ambusher's kid brother (Gary Gray) in this ok Tim Holt, which has some moments of the usual fast-paced fun, but it can be hampered by putting the spotlight on the kid and his development from a brat to a nice kid. The actor playing the kid can be annoying, but overall it's not a bad entry; it's just not as exciting as the others that Holt starred in.

The real focus in Gun Smugglers is young Gary Gray brother of gun smuggler ringleader Douglas Fowley. He acts as a Judas goat and leads an army patrol headed by Sergeant Paul Hurst into an ambush and all are killed but Hurst and the colonel's daughter Martha Hyer.

Because Hurst took a forbidden trail when he lost the shipment of Gatling guns in the ambush he's drummed out of the army after 40 years. He was getting out anyway within weeks and was going to go into ranching with Tim Holt and Richard Martin. So it's up to Tim and Chito to recover the weapons and clear Hurst's name.

Tim, Chito, and Hurst get custody of the kid. Father Flanagan's dictum about there being no such thing as a bad boy gets put to the test. A little too unrealistically and too maudlin sentimental for my taste.

Because of that this is a cut below the usual good standard that Tim Holt westerns have in my book.

The best B-westerns of the Post-WWII era oater featured Tim Holt and Richard"Chito" Martin. This 1949 shows the talented pair at their very best.In this exciting film, a cache of Gatling guns are stolen, with the help of an outlaw's little brother. Holt & Chito befriend the boy, hoping to reform him & find the missing firearms.

Tim Holt was easily the best actor in B-westerns. Chito could handle action, comedy and romance equally well. The script here was first-rate and action-packed. Don Haggerty was very good as the Sheriff in a well-written role.

This film was top-notch in all respects. One of the best of the Holt series.