Overland Stage Raiders (1938)

After gold shipments from a mining town have been hijacked, the three Mesquiteers buy a plane to fly the gold out. The owner of the shipping line brings in Eastern gangsters to thwart them.

Director:

George Sherman

Writers:

William Colt MacDonald (characters), Bernard McConville (story),

Stars:

John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Wayne	...	Stony Brooke
Ray Corrigan	...	Tucson Smith
Max Terhune	...	Lullaby Joslin
Louise Brooks	...	Beth Hoyt
Anthony Marsh	...	Ned Hoyt
John Archer	...	Bob Whitney (as Ralph Bowman)
Gordon Hart	...	W. T.Mullins
Roy James	...	Dave Harmon
Olin Francis	...	Henchman Jake
Fern Emmett	...	Ma Hawkins
Henry Otho	...	Sheriff Mason
George Sherwood	...	Henchman Clanton
Arch Hall Sr.	...	Joe Waddell (as Archie Hall)
Frank LaRue	...	Hank Milton (as Frank La Rue)

Storyline

After gold shipments from a mining town have been hijacked, the three Mesquiteers buy a plane to fly the gold out. The owner of the shipping line brings in Eastern gangsters to thwart them.

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Plot Keywords:

gold | airline | rancher | gangster | pilot | 

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cabalga y dispara

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min 54 min (Western Channel print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA High Fidelity Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was 'Louise Brooks'' final film. Contrary to popular rumor, this was not intended to be her "comeback" to Hollywood; she made it because she needed the money. She was paid $300 for the film. Not long after it was released, she was found working as a salesgirl at Saks Fifth Avenue at a salary of $40 a week.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[reading a reward poster]
First Bandit: One thousand dollars. I guess we ain't worth much to the Oro Grande Company.
Second Bandit: That ain't no decent reward for a self-respecting bandit. What do you say we send Harmon a donation to boost the ante?
First Bandit: Maybe I will - after we polish off the three o'clock stage!

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Connections

Followed by The Night Riders (1939)

User Reviews

This one is a hoot!

A real solid class "B" western with a pre-John Ford John Wayne at his shooting and roping best. Second of the "Three Mesquiteers" series, the plot is both far-fetched and intriguing for its ingenuity. Who would expect to go to a Saturday matinée and see a second billed western that involves the tactical integration of aerial spotting in defense of overland lines of communication, communications deception, gas hand grenades used to defend an improvised landing strip, parachuting cowboys and passengers, the hijacking and retaking of a cattle train, a talking ventriloquist's dummy in flight gear, and an in-flight robbery -- all within less than an hour! A more thorough examination of the plot reveals that John Wayne is aligned with the common folks against the evil and unscrupulous capitalist bus company owner who will go to no end to prevent the loss of his lucrative contract to carry the gold. I mean this movie introduces some basic economic theory into its entertainment. Quite a lot to process within such a short time. The bad guys are either shot outright, roped and hog-tied, or beaten into submission. Oh yes, Louise Brooks plays a quite forgettable part as the sister of the pilot. Not your run of the mill film. Not well made with a very lackluster ending, but worth your time. This one is a hoot!