False Colors (1943)

To obtain water rights, bad guy Mark Foster murders the heir to a cattle ranch and puts an imposter in his place.

Director:

George Archainbaud

Writers:

Bennett Cohen (screenplay), Clarence E. Mulford (based on characters created by)

Stars:

William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Jimmy Rogers

Cast

Complete credited cast:
William Boyd	...	Hopalong Cassidy
Andy Clyde	...	California Carlson
Jimmy Rogers	...	Jimmy Rogers
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Mark Foster
Tom Seidel	...	Bud Lawton / Kit Moyer
Claudia Drake	...	Faith Lawton
Robert Mitchum	...	Rip Austin (as Bob Mitchum)
Glenn Strange	...	Sonora
Pierce Lyden	...	Lefty
Roy Barcroft	...	Sheriff Clem

Storyline

Before he was killed by Mark Foster's men, Bud Lawton willed part ownership in his ranch to Hoppy and his two pals. When the three arrive they find a fake posing as Lawton. When they expose the imposter, Foster gets the Sheriff to jail them for Lawton's murder.

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is one of 54 Hopalong Cassidy features produced by Harry Sherman, initially distributed by Paramount Pictures from 1935-1941, and then by United Artists 1942-1944, which were purchased by their star William Boyd for nationally syndicated television presentation beginning in 1948 and continuing thereafter for many years, as a result of their phenomenal success. Each feature was re-edited to 54 minutes so as to comfortably fit into a 60 minute time slot, with six minutes for commercials. It was not until 50 years later that, with the cooperation of Mrs. Boyd. i.e. Grace Bradley, that they were finally restored to their original length with their original opening and closing credits intact.

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Goofs

Right after Hoppy's bar-room brawl with Robert Mitchum's character, Mitchum's face has a number of cuts where he's bleeding, but the next time we see him there are no marks or bruises on his face.

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Quotes

Hopalong Cassidy: Your ears didn't fool yuh.
California Carlson: Nuthin' escapes me. I got ears like a mule.
Hopalong Cassidy: Something to that too!
California Carlson: [California realizes he has been insulted and does a double take]

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Connections

Follows Hoppy Serves a Writ (1943)

User Reviews

Half of a Good Hoppy

The first half is outdoors with some spectacularly moody vistas of the snow-covered Sierras. Just as impressive are those great shots of the many weird boulders covering the Alabama Hills. This is familiar territory for Hoppy and the boys, but it's never been more visually impressive.

There's some good action during this first part as Hoppy tries to prevent bad guy Foster (Dumbrille) from cheating a young brother and sister (Seidel & Drake) from their ranch inheritance. The second half moves indoors as Foster's scheme draws Hoppy and the boys out of the hills and into town. Too bad, in my little book, they couldn't keep this second half outdoors too.

It's a more notable cast than usual. Dumbrille, of course, is a veteran baddie from many an A-production, while hulking thugs Barcroft and Strange get rare speaking parts. Leading lady Drake would soon appear in that most nourish of noir classics, Detour (1945). But most notable is Bob Mitchum promoted into one of his first speaking parts—catch how well he acts with his eyes at the poker table. No wonder he was emerging from the crowd of cowboy extras. And for a minute, it looked like actor Seidel would be one of the few in Hollywood to get killed twice in the same movie!

There're the usual action staples-- some hard riding and a couple of really energetic fist-fights to keep things from getting too talky. I guess my only complaint concerns sidekick Jimmy Rogers. I agree with reviewer Don W that he's an inept presence, who unfortunately rather resembles a young Jimmy Durante. Wisely, the screenplay downplays his romance with the personality-plus Drake.

Anyway, the 60-minutes adds up for me as half-of-a-good Hoppy.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Den kejthåndede bandit

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Harry Sherman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

65 min 54 min (edited TV)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1