Range War (1939) User Reviews

Hoppy leads the" troops" in a Range War

[revdrcac · 7/10 · 14 July 2006]

Wiliiam Boyd returns in this fast-paced , well written early entry in the Hopalong Cassidy series. Boyd was wonderful as always as the black-clad hero, with Russell "Lucky" Hayden a fine sidekick.

In this one, Hoppy goes undercover to expose the bad guys who are fighting railroad expansion through the open range. Glenn Strange co-stars as does Britt Wood.

The early Hoppy films were the best and this one is very good. Millions of kids looked up to Hoppy, who always fought fair and stood his ground. The script, cast and production values here are exemplary.

Highly recommended....... A fun film !

Life for Hoppy without Windy

[weezeralfalfa · 7/10 · 17 April 2019]

Good Hoppy film. This was the first of only 4 films for the cute 19yo pint-sized leading lady: Betty Moran. It's also the first released Hoppy film since George Hayes, as Hoppy's perennial old codger of a sidekick: Windy, abandoned the series to costar in films of Republic Studios, where her was renamed 'Gabby'. Britt Wood takes Windy's place as the inappropriately nicknamed 'Speedy' McGinnis. Of course, 'Speedy' was anything but speedy, both physically and in his slow-moving mind. Another mentally challenged character: is deputy Fenton(Earl Hodgin.). His gullibility is amply illustrated when he is induced by jailed Hoppy to give Hoppy a lariat so that Hoppy could demonstrate his proficiency at snaring things with a rope. Pretty soon, Hoppy snares the deputy, with arms against his body, and pulls him toward the cell, so that Hoppy can grab his gun and keys.........It's said that all the cinematography takes place, in Bill Boyd's favorite location shooting region: in the vicinity of Lone Pine, CA., just east of the then snow-capped High Sierras and their Alabama foothills. The Sierras are quite visible in the background much of the time......... The plot is comparatively simple: One rancher: Buck Collins(Willard Robertson) has the nearby ranchers over a barrel, with the strategic location of his range , so that driving cattle to market is much quicker and simpler than the alternative. Hence, he charges an exorbitant toll to allow passage over his land. The ranchers are willing to help finance a rail spur that circumvents his land. Thus, one of them: Jim Marlow(Matt Moore) borrowed $25,000. from banker Charley Higgins. Unfortunately, apparently, Collins somehow acquired the information that Marlow was taking his $25,000. to end of tract, to pay the workers. The stage was held up by thieves who seemed to know about Marlows' stash, and ignored an even greater prize in the strong box. As yet, there was no proof that Collins was involved with the robbery. Marlow calls for Hoppy to come and investigate this robbery. Never fear, Hoppy and aids will eventually catch some of Collins' gang who are about to divvy up the money, and exclude the others. Hoppy recovers almost all of the $25,000. In the meanwhile ,Hoppy approved another loan of $20,000 to satisfy the workers. Meanwhile, a Collins-connected agitator encourages the workers to tear up track they had just laid down. Hoppy and Marlow's daughter, Ellen(Betty Moran) ride to end of track to see what's going on. Against Hoppy's advice, Ellen pleads with the rebels to stop destroying what they have done. She doesn't detect a bomb with lighted fuse near her, but Hoppy senses something is wrong when the workers all vacate that area. Hoppy whisks her off her feet just before the bomb explodes. Can't believe neither was injured!.........During part of the time Hoppy goes undercover as Mr. Grant, which is possible, because many of the involved don't know what Hoppy looks like. He figures that Collins will somehow learn that Marlow is again carrying the $20,000. on the stage. Thus, he and Speedy holdup the stage and take the money. Unfortunately, Collins' men very soon arrive, expecting to steal the cash themselves, and stick the guys up. Then, the sheriff and posse show up and arrest all four, assumed to be Collin's men.(Interestingly, Glen Strange, who usually plays a badman, is the sheriff. They are taken to jail, and soon break out, as previously described. ........ The action now shifts to the old mission, headed by Padre Jose(Pedro de Cordoba), which is Hoppy's temporary headquarters. Several badmen, including Collins are stuck up inside the compound, but get loose within. There are still a bunch outside, who try to get in by climbing over the compound wall, or breaking the door. Finally, they succeed in breaking through the door., and the gun battle accelerates. Meanwhile, Marlow heads a cavalry of rail workers(where did they get the horses?). When they arrive, the gun battle soon stops, as Collins' men are killed or surrender. However, as you might expect, Collins tries to escape, running on the wall(Why wasn't he shot?), then jumping on his horse. Hoppy follows him, and pulls him off his horse, as he is about to leave. Hoppy repeatedly beats him against the wall until he is submissive.

A nice little racket he doesn't want to lose

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 13 March 2017]

This Hopalong Cassidy story has Hoppy and Lucky getting involved in a Range War where rancher Willard Robertson has a nice little racket going. He's got a strategically located ranch and charges tolls to anyone who wants to cross it with their cattle to market. So he has a vested interest in keeping the railroad from being built. Between the tolls and the sabotage of all kinds to the railroad Robertson is making life miserable all around.

Hoppy goes undercover with Britt Wood and when Wood is discovered to be a spy Bill Boyd has to think fast on his feet. He also captures a bunch of the outlaws also thinking fast on his feet and with no gunplay.

More than enough gunplay for the final shootout with Boyd, Wood, and Russell Hayden at Padre Pedro DeCordoba's mission. DeCordoba allows Hoppy to use the mission as a base for his operations. A most unpacific thing, but it's Hopalong Cassidy so you know you're right with the Deity.

Hoppy fans will like this one.

Great Mountain Scenery Backs Action Story

[dougdoepke · 27 October 2018]

First-rate Hoppy, thanks mainly to great Sierra backdrops that embroider most every scene. In fact, unusual outdoor scenes complement almost all the run-time. Then too, there are two mountainside set-ups that are almost stunning in composition, worthy of any bigger budget production. And what about that old locomotive stuck somewhere about on the Lone Pine desert that's a real oddity. It's like an ugly ship in the middle of an ocean.

Series producer Sherman must have spent more than usual not only for the extended locations but for a lot of cowboy extras making up the two gangs. Seems a greedy landowner wants to sabotage a proposed rail line that will carry cattle herds to market. At present he charges ranchers a big toll to cross his land to market that he'll otherwise lose to the rail line. So friends of the cattlemen call in Hoppy, Lucky, and Speedy to help out.

At times, it's a little hard to separate the good guys from the bad, especially when Hoppy goes undercover-- but maybe that's just me. Actor Boyd shines as usual showing more personality than usual for an oater. But then he did have an earlier A-movie career, so his acting talents are better honed than most matinee heroes. Also, diminutive actress Moran makes an engaging pretty face even though her career was very short, and I wish we knew why. At the same time, two comedy relief players share the chuckles-- Wood and Hodgins. There may be a backstory to that oater oddity. Anyway, the programmer's a better-than-average Hoppy that, I think, keeps viewers entertained all the way. So tune in.

Hoppy Gets Things Back On Track!

[bsmith5552 · 7/10 · 20 April 2020]

"Range War" is not about a traditional range war but has to do with the construction of a railroad spur.

Rancher Buck Collins (Willard Robertson) is charging a toll to the other area ranchers to cross his land. The other ranchers have banded together to build a railway spur from which they will ship their cattle to market. Collins is trying to sabotage the line. He has placed some of his men to undermine the construction.

The payroll destined to pay the crew has been stolen. Owner Jim Marlow goes to banker Charlie Higgins (Kenneth Harlan) to ask for another loan. Higgins reluctantly agrees on the understanding that he will send for Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) to get the project back on track.

When Hoppy and Lucky (Russell Hayden) arrive they go to a nearby mission to visit an old friend Padre Jose (Pedro de Cordoba). There they meet up with an old harmonica playing friend Speedy McGinnis (Britt Wood) . Padre Jose offers the Mission to Hoppy as his headquarters. Meanwhile saboteurs are at work trying to blow up the tracks while protesting the lack of pay for the crew.

In town, Hoppy meets the town Deputy Fenton (Earle Hodgins) when disguised as a Padre he leaves a message detailing when the stagecoach carrying Marlow and the new loan is to arrive. Fenton of course blabs the information all over town. Hoppy and Lucky meanwhile hold up the stage and takes the money just as Collins men (Eddie Dean, Ray Bennett) arrive to do the same. Before long the Sheriff (Glenn Strange) and a posse arrive and arrest all four.

Hoppy convinces the real robbers that he would be valuable to Collins' organization. They take him to Morgan (Francis McDonald) Collins' foreman but he recognizes Hoppy from an earlier meeting. Hoppy has arranged for Lucky to take a job on the railroad "to keep an eye on things". He discovers two saboteurs trying to blow up a trestle but is blamed when they turn the tables on him. Lucky is forced to flee with the Sheriff and his posse in pursuit.

Hoppy has convinced Collins and his men to go to the Mission to find Lucky. He tricks only Collins and Morgan inside leaving the rest of the gang on the outside. Padre Jose's helper Felipe (Don Latorre) accidently fires his gun wounding Hoppy. Padre Jose is also wounded in the scuffle with Collins and Morgan. A gunfight breaks out.

As Hoppy and Lucky strive to protect Padre Jose, Collins men break down the gates and..........................................................

Better than average Hoppy adventure. Britt Wood was brought in to replace the recently departed George Hayes but wouldn't last. Earle Hodgins also provided some comedy relief. Great scenery and plenty of blazing action.

The producers hadn't yet discovered that Eddie Dean could sing and cast him as one of the bandits. Jason Robards Sr. appears as one of the ranchers and Stanley Price as one of the fifth columnists.

Range War

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 18 February 2024]

Buck Colins heads a group of local ranchers who are trying to prevent the railroad from completing its line through their property. Till now they have been able to charge tolls on herds passing through. Hoppy goes undercover to expose them.

Britt Wood takes Windy's (Gabby Hayes) place as the comic sidekick, 'Speedy' McGinnis, and he is anything but speedy. A slow thinking character who takes his time coming up with one and one is two, and Deputy Fenton (Earl Hodgin) is another dopey character who falls for Hoppy's lasso trick, but they bring a lot of amusement amidst the usual gunplay, fast riding and the busy plot. It's a bit sluggish in places, but overall a steady entry. Solid shootout finale.

It's pretty obvious who's behind the problems...but the story still is exciting and worth seeing.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 7 October 2020]

The formula for the Hopalong Cassidy films was pretty consistent. In just about every story, he has two sidekicks (when Roy and Gene only had one!)....an old coot and a handsome young guy. But who played these parts varied. For example, the old coot was played by George 'Gabby' Hayes in the early films. But after a contract dispute, he left Paramount and went to work for Republic....and Paramount experimented with a few others until eventually casting Andy Clyde as 'California'....and he kept this role in more than half the films. But in between were a few others, and in "Range War", Britt Wood played 'Speedy'...and in total he played this role four times.

The story begins with Hoppy and Lucky heading to a town having railroad problems. It seems that the local ranchers would love to have a railroad spur...then they could avoid crossing over Buck Collins' property...where he forces them to pay a toll! And, when the construction of the railroad is disrupted again and again, you have a strong suspicion that Collins in behind it. And, it does seem like this local baddie is behind payroll robberies which have left the workers unpaid and grouchy....as well as having ringers among the workers who stir them up again and again. Can Hoppy get to the bottom of this? And, what about Speedy? Where does he come into all this?

Like most of the Cassidy films, this one is filmed in the area of Lone Pine, California...in the foothills of Mt. Whitney. It's one of the most beautiful and atmospheric locations for westerns....and many hundred were filmed there. In this film, the amazing scenery is highlighted more than usual....making for a lovely film.

So is it any good? Well, considering nearly all of the Cassidy films are among the best of the B-westerns, I had relatively high hopes for this one and the film certainly didn't disappoint. Exciting and worth seeing...and if you want, it's available on YouTube...completely restored and not an abbreviated copy edited down for television.



By the way, character western actor Glenn Strange does something very unusual here for a Hopalong Cassidy film. I've seen most of them and this one is the first one I've seen where he plays a sheriff AND one that isn't evil! In all his other performances, he's one of the baddie's henchmen....but not here.