Copyright 11 December 1942 by United Artists Production, Inc. Presented by Harry Sherman. Released through United Artists. U.S. release: 2 April 1943. Australian release: 24 June 1943. Sydney release at the Civic: 18 June 1943. 5,927 feet. 66 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Silver-mine operator uses Mexicans for slave labor.
NOTES: Mitchum's first film. Number 47 (as released) in the Hoppy series. Location in Kernville, California. Negative cost: $87,285.09. Worldwide Rental Gross: $132,406.23. These fascinating figures are taken from LESLEY SELANDER: A film Checklist by Karl Thiede in Close Up: The Contract Director edited by Jon Tuska (The Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, N.J., 1976). The gross of course is that of the film's initial release. Sherman abandoned the series when costs overtook the gross. On Lumberjack (1944), WWG of $115,389.25 falls well short of a negative cost of $117,402.22.
COMMENT: Although he can be glimpsed in several scenes, Mitchum does not make much of an impression in his first film. Nonetheless, it's one of the classier entries in the series with sold solid action material vigorously directed by Lesley Selander from a script by none other than Michael Wilson (Five Fingers, A Place in the Sun, Friendly Persuasion, Bridge on the River Kwai, Planet of the Apes, etc.).
The support players led by Russell Simpson are an interesting and appealing bunch. Music and photography are also well above standard. A full list of Mitchum's Hoppy bits can be found on IMDb. See also "Hoppy Serves a Writ" and "Colt Comrades".
SYNOPSIS: Silver-mine operator uses Mexicans for slave labor.
NOTES: Mitchum's first film. Number 47 (as released) in the Hoppy series. Location in Kernville, California. Negative cost: $87,285.09. Worldwide Rental Gross: $132,406.23. These fascinating figures are taken from LESLEY SELANDER: A film Checklist by Karl Thiede in Close Up: The Contract Director edited by Jon Tuska (The Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, N.J., 1976). The gross of course is that of the film's initial release. Sherman abandoned the series when costs overtook the gross. On Lumberjack (1944), WWG of $115,389.25 falls well short of a negative cost of $117,402.22.
COMMENT: Although he can be glimpsed in several scenes, Mitchum does not make much of an impression in his first film. Nonetheless, it's one of the classier entries in the series with sold solid action material vigorously directed by Lesley Selander from a script by none other than Michael Wilson (Five Fingers, A Place in the Sun, Friendly Persuasion, Bridge on the River Kwai, Planet of the Apes, etc.).
The support players led by Russell Simpson are an interesting and appealing bunch. Music and photography are also well above standard. A full list of Mitchum's Hoppy bits can be found on IMDb. See also "Hoppy Serves a Writ" and "Colt Comrades".