Though he did fine work in major films by Welles and Huston, Tim Holt's true calling was in the Western. His RKO series, interrupted by World War II, extended to 1952, proving his lasting appeal and his many capabilities. THUNDER MOUNTAIN is fairly typical, though the format would still be upgraded through the next few years. Tim's ranch is up for auction, though he has the payment; crooked Sheriff Harry Harvey won't take it. Main bad guy Harry Carson (always great, bushy mustache and all) wants the ranch for its railroad right of way. The Hayden-Jorch feud's still raging, so Carson kills Steve Brodie a member of the Jorch clan, and frames Holt (a Hayden) into it. Tim breaks jail, a top notch gun battle ensues. Carson's captured, and Tim's got Martha Hyer. All this takes place in an excitingly paced 59 minutes, 16 less than Tom Hanks spent on that damn island in CAST AWAY last year, talkin' to a volleyball or something. The oldies are best, and when Tim Holt's in 'em, they're better than that. He gave me a lot of entertaining days at the movies when I was a kid; and as a 63 year old kid, he still does so, in late nite TV viewings on the W
Review of Thunder Mountain
