Trail Guide (1952)

Director:

Lesley Selander

Writers:

William Lively (writer)
Arthur E. Orloff (writer)

Release Date:

15 February 1952 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Plot:

In an effort to keep homesteaders off the open ranges near his and his sister Peg's ranch, young Kenny...

Cast

Tim Holt	...	Tim Holt
Mary Jo Tarola	...	Peg Masters (as Linda Douglas)
Frank Wilcox	...	Regan
Robert Sherwood	...	Kenny Masters
John Pickard	...	Henchman Dawson
Kenneth MacDonald	...	Wagon Master Wheeler
Wendy Waldron	...	Maria
Patricia Wright	...	Katie, Saloon Girl
Tom London	...	Old Timer
John Merton	...	Dale, Rocking M Ranch Foreman
Richard Martin	...	Chito Jose Gonzalez Bustamante Rafferty

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #15448)

Filming Locations:

Andy Jauregui Ranch - Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, California, USA

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

A Typical Action Packed Tim Holt & Chito Western

Tim Holt, son of actor Jack Holt and brother to Jennifer Holt, played in such movie classics as "The Magnificent Ambersons" and "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre." He brought his acting talents to the B western beginning in the early 40's and then made a series for RKO with Richard Martin, another fine actor, as Chito Jose Gonzalez Bustamonte Rafferty, an Irish-Mexican role, as his womanizing comical sidekick. Martin had already played the role of Chito Rafferty for others before joining with Tim Holt. A Tim Holt western was always a good one to watch for action and adventure. "Trail Guide" is typical of the series. Tim and Chito are out to help homesteaders led by character actor Kenneth MacDonald against outlaws pretending to be protectors of the open range but really out for their own personal gain. The outlaws have suckered young Kenny Masters (Robert E. Sherwood) into helping them. His sister, Peg Masters (Mary Jo Tarola aka Linda Douglas) at first suspects Tim and Chito as being the outlaws but eventually learns the truth about what is really happening.

By 1952, the singing cowboy was virtually history. There were a few hangers on such as Rex Allen, Eddie Dean, and Jimmy Wakely. Gene, Roy, and Hoppy were going into television production which is where the B western would shortly end up. The main Saturday matinée cowboys of the early 1950's were non-singers such as Tim Holt, The Durango Kid, Allan Rocky Lane, Whip Wilson, Lash LaRue, and Johnny Mack Brown. The only music usually provided was background for the action that took place. This meant that movies such as "Trail Guide" were action packed with no musical numbers to slow things down.

If you are a Tim Holt fan, you should enjoy "Trail Guide." If you've never seen a Tim Holt western before and enjoy action and adventure, this is a good film to watch.