Billy the Kid Trapped (1942)

Stanton breaks Billy and his two friends Fuzzy and Jeff out of jail. He wants them free so three of his men can impersonate them for the robberies and murders he has planned.

Director:

Sam Newfield (as Sherman Scott)

Writer:

Joseph O'Donnell (original screenplay)

Stars:

Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, Malcolm 'Bud' McTaggart

Cast

Cast overview:
Buster Crabbe	...	Billy the Kid
Al St. John	...	Fuzzy Jones
Malcolm 'Bud' McTaggart	...	Jeff Walker (as Bud McTaggart)
Anne Jeffreys	...	Sally (as Ann Jeffreys)
Glenn Strange	...	Jim Stanton
Walter McGrail	...	Judge Jack McConnell
Ted Adams	...	Sheriff John Masters
Jack Ingram	...	Red Barton
Milton Kibbee	...	Judge Clarke (as Milt Kibbee)
Eddie Phillips	...	Dave Evans
Budd Buster	...	Montana-Fake Fuzzy (as Bud Buster)

Storyline

After Billy, Fuzzy and Jeff are rescued from a hanging by mysterious strangers, the countryside if terrorized by three men, posing as Billy, Fuzzy and Jeff. Sheriff Masters puts Billy and his pals on the trail of the impostors. The trail leads to Mesa City, an outlaw town run by Jim Stanton, under whose orders, three killers, Montana, Pete and Curly, have been robbing and murdering, disguised as Billy and his two sidekicks. Billy brings in the impostors but they are released by crooked-judge Clarke. Stanton makes henchman Red Barton the new sheriff, with orders to get Billy. Again assuming their disguises, Montana, Pete and Curly rob the stagecoach. And Billy, Fuzzy and Jeff have to begin again in the process of clearing their own names.

---

Plot Keywords:

new mexico territory | billy the kid character | 

---

Taglines:

HIS TOMBSTONE WAS SET...But Billy Refused To Die!! (original print ad)

---

Genres:

Western

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The failure of the original copyright holder to renew the film's copyright resulted in it falling into public domain, meaning that virtually anyone could duplicate and sell a VHS/DVD copy of the film. Therefore, many of the versions of this film available on the market are either severely (and usually badly) edited and/or of extremely poor quality, having been duped from second- or third-generation (or more) copies of the film.

---

Quotes

Fuzzy Jones: Keep your hand away from that gun. Make one move and you'll wake up playin' a harp.

User Reviews

"Billy the Kid Trapped" is our Treat!

"Billy the Kid " from 1942 is a most clever, pleasant, and enjoyable B-western excursion, one that features the best of what the genre can offer. The story is fun and well developed... oh sure, there are a few plot devices that the keen observer will have to let pass, but for the most part, the story is attractive and unique, involving as it does a lookalike component that is more intricate and directly responsible for the film's reason for being than any I have heretofore seen. The comedic antics offered by Fuzzy in this one are only some in number, which is really just about right to set the tone for the invitation to the viewer to sit back and take in a relaxed and quite competently performed western whimsy. All this in spite of the fact that this picture comes from the infamously low-budgeted PRC organization.

Buster shows an excellent hero's persona in this one... strong, but yet relaxed and firmly comfortable to the point that he knows he can capably handle any difficulties that may arise, and rest assured plenty of difficulties indeed arise. Because Fuzzy showcases far fewer shenanigans in this film compared to many of the other films in their series, Buster doesn't have to play straight man all that much, which allows him to maintain a more consistent authoritative bearing. This authoritative posture allows the viewer to unquestionably respect his presence in the film. We see Buster firmly take his place as a cowboy hero in this one, one that most other western stars of the era consistently portrayed. And it makes the viewer feel good to see a no-nonsense hero seriously stand up without too much interference to the plentiful bad around him.

The rest of the cast is excellent in their roles, and the cheap sets are appropriately superb... the street scenes have an earthy and rustic feel about them. The interiors look worn and real, and the outdoor scenery is varied. Western movie action abounds, yes, including running horses with eyes aglow and manes afire, but it is the story and its unique bent that propels this PRC western movie to far more than ordinary.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 February 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Billy Kid på nya äventyr

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sigmund Neufeld Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

59 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1