"Cattle Raiders", a Charles Starrett series "B" western, is greatly enhanced through the presence of The Sons of the Pioneers singing group, which I consider to have been the best of such groups.
Slim Grayson (Donald Grayson) and his sister Nancy (Iris Meredith) are setting up their own little ranch. Slim had been working for John Reynolds (Edward Le Saint) whose son Tom (Starrett) had been away hoping his weak willed brother Steve (Joseph Allen) would assume the responsibility of running the ranch.
Tom returns to find that he has been accused of murdering the sheriff of Red Rock. He also learns that Steve has been seen in the company of town boss Ed Munro (Dick Curtis) whom Tom believes has framed him for the murder.
Tom learns that his gun was found at the scene of the murder and that Munro in his role of Chairman of the Law and Order Committee, is holding the weapon as evidence. Munro meanwhile, along with his henchman Burke (Edmund Cobb), have been rustling cattle from the local ranchers and selling them to shady cattle buyer Brand (George Chesebro).
Tom obtains the bullet that killed the sheriff and notes the unique markings on it. He compares it with a bullet from his own gun and notes the difference. Suspecting Munro, Tom hatches a plan to trick him into firing his gun. During a tussle, Munro fires a bullet into the floor which Tom later recovers.
In the meantime Tom is arrested and brought to trial. Steve has seen the error of his ways and agrees to testify for Tom. When Steve, Tom's key witness fails to show at the trial,he tries to introduce the murder bullet and Munro's bullet into evidence but is denied by the Judge. Tom is consequently found guilty and.......................................................................
The Sons of the Pioneers perform four songs with Grayson singing the lead. Even Starrett chimes in on one song. They also sing "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" over the opening credits. Bob Nolan and Pat Brady of the Pioneers also have small roles as Reynold's ranch hands.
Since there was no sidekick, veteran westerner Steve Clark plays ranch hand Hank with a bit of humor.
Donald Grayson would go on to be a part of Spike Jones and his City Slickers in the 40s.
Slim Grayson (Donald Grayson) and his sister Nancy (Iris Meredith) are setting up their own little ranch. Slim had been working for John Reynolds (Edward Le Saint) whose son Tom (Starrett) had been away hoping his weak willed brother Steve (Joseph Allen) would assume the responsibility of running the ranch.
Tom returns to find that he has been accused of murdering the sheriff of Red Rock. He also learns that Steve has been seen in the company of town boss Ed Munro (Dick Curtis) whom Tom believes has framed him for the murder.
Tom learns that his gun was found at the scene of the murder and that Munro in his role of Chairman of the Law and Order Committee, is holding the weapon as evidence. Munro meanwhile, along with his henchman Burke (Edmund Cobb), have been rustling cattle from the local ranchers and selling them to shady cattle buyer Brand (George Chesebro).
Tom obtains the bullet that killed the sheriff and notes the unique markings on it. He compares it with a bullet from his own gun and notes the difference. Suspecting Munro, Tom hatches a plan to trick him into firing his gun. During a tussle, Munro fires a bullet into the floor which Tom later recovers.
In the meantime Tom is arrested and brought to trial. Steve has seen the error of his ways and agrees to testify for Tom. When Steve, Tom's key witness fails to show at the trial,he tries to introduce the murder bullet and Munro's bullet into evidence but is denied by the Judge. Tom is consequently found guilty and.......................................................................
The Sons of the Pioneers perform four songs with Grayson singing the lead. Even Starrett chimes in on one song. They also sing "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" over the opening credits. Bob Nolan and Pat Brady of the Pioneers also have small roles as Reynold's ranch hands.
Since there was no sidekick, veteran westerner Steve Clark plays ranch hand Hank with a bit of humor.
Donald Grayson would go on to be a part of Spike Jones and his City Slickers in the 40s.
