Hoppy Serves a Writ (1943) User Reviews

The Incidental Pleasures of "B" Westerns

[museumofdave · 7/10 · 23 June 2015]

This traditional "Hoppy" adventure was never meant to be any kind of classic, but mainly functions as Saturday Matinée fare, a pitting of the good guys against the bad guys with plenty of horse chases and gun-play to keep the kids in their seats and wanting to come back for more.

Having grown up in the 1940's, I watch the old Westerns today for reasons other than a gripping plot about which the outcome is clearly foretold. The photography in this one, for example, is exceptional, with cinematographer Russell Harlan going beyond the usual camera set-ups to capture the beauty of location shooting in Lone Pine, California-- the desert-like conditions shot against mountain vistas, the beauty of rustling sycamores framing the action, and exceptional long shots giving us such keen perspectives as robbing of the Well's Fargo Stage from several angles (Harlan, incidentally, went on to film the indelible images of To Kill A Mockingbird). FYI, an unsolicited commercial: Platinum Productions (though Echo Bridge) has released the Cassidy adventures in multiples for very little money, and the transfers are remarkable!

Another incidental pleasure of Hoppy Serves A Writ is Hoppy himself, of course, a cool character who always seems a little above the chaos around him: William Boyd, a leading man from the 1930's found his niche in these Westerns--and we don't have to listen to him sing! Frequently pointed out is Robert Mitchum's first major appearance in a film: a performance at the edge of narcolepsy, but Mitchum actually saddles up a few times and rides; future Superman George Reeves has a meatier role as a dude with attitude, attempting to romance the sole female on the film, but losing her to Hoppy's cute, mild-mannered assistant. And for those with an eye for familiar character actors, the laconic Byron Foulger serves as a shopkeeper; Victor Jory, so often a villain in both Westerns and crime films, sports a nasty scar on his cheek that marks him as the one to hiss.

In all, this is 64 minutes of matinée fun, perfect for a Saturday afternoon with a bowl of popcorn and all your memories of time well spent with your Hollywood pals.

Other stars

[zotch40 · 6/10 · 18 June 2014]

Everybody mentions Robert Mitchum in this movie, but if you coughed at the right time, you miss his entire dialog. George Reeves had the meatier part and looked Superman-ish in it. Victor Jory was a well known actor who did a lot more than cowboy baddies. Two others stood out for me. One was Earl Hudgins, the barkeep, a solid character actor who had a long list of movie credits, usually as some kind of con artist. The other was Roy Barcroft, a competent heavy in many TV cowboy shows of the 50s. In this, he had a minor part as a rancher with a complaint. There was plenty of action in this Hoppy flick if you count all the endless horse riding and the several long gunfights. The one nothing part was the lone female who gave up acting after this, her first and last job in Hollywood.

A better than expected cast helps this one.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 8 August 2020]

"Hoppy Serves a Writ" is an interesting Hopalong Cassidy film because of its cast. Victor Jory, George Reeves and Robert Mitchum all star as members of a gang of crooks...though, sadly, Mitchum (in his first film) has barely a line of dialog.

This version of "Hoppy Serves a Writ" is a nice because it's 65 minutes and isn't one of those chopped down to about 54 minutes back in the 1950s. This was done to allow the film to be shown in a one hour time slot back in the day. But apparently, the excised portions of Hopalong Cassidy's films were saved and were recently restored. These nice restored prints recently showed up on YouTube...and are well worth seeing. Unlike many B cowboys, Cassidy is no pretty boy nor is her a singer...just a hard-fighting do-gooer.

The film begins with a stage coach being robbed in Texas. However, the baddies run off to the Oklahoma Territory...out of the jurisdiction of Texas authorities. So, Hoppy and his sidekicks, Johnny and California, head there and go undercover. They need to find the loot and the crooks that stole it...but it doesn't look very easy in this lawless land.

This is pretty much a standard sort of Hopalong Cassidy film...well made and enjoyable.

By the way, in one scene Hoppy has a brutal fight with Tom Jordan (Victor Jory). In real life, Jory probably would have won that one as he used to be the champion wrestler and boxer in the Coast Guard.

Lots of Stars, Little Action

[wrbtu · 29 December 2003]

Unlike the later Hoppy films, this one doesn't follow a mystery outline. We know who the baddie is from pretty near the beginning, & it's just a matter of catching him. Victor Jory (who had already starred in "The Shadow" & "The Green Archer" serials), is featured in this film. George Reeves (later TV's "Superman") has a small part. And Robert Mitchum has a short line. Jan Christy (the heroine) is prettier than most of the Hoppy heroines. Andy Clyde (as "California") gets a serious beating, & "Johnny" (Jay Kirby) doesn't act as silly as other Johnnies in this series. Sounds like it has a lot going for it, doesn't it? Not so, because there's little action aside from a couple of good fight scenes & about three gunfights. The plot is weak, & it's not helped by the fact that there's no mystery involved. Hoppy wears all black at the beginning & end of the film, & wears his rancher's outfit in the middle. It doesn't even have the usual dose of humor for a Hoppy film. I rate it only 5/10.

OK, but nothing special -- Mediocre Hoppy

[chipe · 6/10 · 22 October 2014]

Nothing special in this Hoppy movie other than William Boyd's winning personality. He shines in all the Hoppy series. I enjoyed his warm, chuckling condescension to most everyone in the movie -- his enemies, his sidekicks, et. al. One good example is when he arrives incognito as a gentleman gambler at a saloon looking for the bad guys. Hoppy sits in at a poker game, taking the favorite (empty) chair of the main bad guy (Victor Jory). Jory walks over later, angry, and tells Hoppy, "Didn't anyone tell you that is my chair?" Hoppy replies, "Yeah, but I am not particular." That cracked me up.

The plot and the actors were nothing special. It was Robert Mitchum's first film roll, a small part. Nothing was asked of him, and he didn't do anything at all special in the roll, sleepy looking as usual, as though they didn't pay him enough. I did like George Reeves' (TV's Superman) acting.

One neat plot ploy was when Reeves was captured by Hoppy and Co., but refused to tell where in the cabin the money was hidden. But Hoppy kept his eye on Reeves as Hoppy's sidekick moved about the room looking for the money. When he got close, Hoppy knew where the money was based on Reeves' flinching reaction! One laughably silly scene was at the end when Hoppy threw his rope to lasso three retreating bad guys together at the same time! Yes, all three squeezed together inside the loop of the rope!

Hoppy serves a writ

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 6 March 2022]

Sheriff Hoppy has to find a way to bring the bad guys, headed by Tom Jordan, to justice in the Lone Star state. The problem is that they are hiding out beyond his jurisdiction, in Oklahoma.

Sufficiently entertaining Hoppy western that is sparse in action but has some good chase sequences and a good pace, plus the cast - Victor Jory, Robert Mitchum, Earl Hodgkins, George Reeves and of course our three protagonists- make this watchable. Watch out for that rough and tumble fight between Boyd and Jory in the saloon -one real wild fight.

"Here comes trouble, lookin' for a place to happen."

[classicsoncall · 6/10 · 17 September 2017]

Besides being a serviceable Hopalong Cassidy Western, this film is a bonanza for old time classic movie fans with the appearance of Victor Jory, Robert Mitchum, George Reeves, Byron Foulger and Earl Hodgins. Mitchum and Hodgins both appeared in a fair share of Hoppy's films; for Mitchum, this was his first credited screen role. You might not recognize him right off, with the stubble of beard and sideburns it's almost as if he's disguised, but he does get to speak a line and if you're familiar with the actor you'll recognize him well enough.

This might be Andy Clyde's most painful outing as Hoppy's sidekick and partner. When the bad guys get hold of him in the latter part of the story he really gets a working over. But he's not the only one. Check out that scene when Johnny (Jay Kirby) rushes to save Jean Hollister (Jan Christy) on her runaway horse. As Johnny catches up, she takes a nasty spill to the ground and it actually looked pretty painful to me. It might go a long way to explain why she never made another movie - this was her only one!

You know, you have to admit William Boyd is pretty good as Hopalong Cassidy, but in this flick he does the miraculous. In that scene where he's crossing the river on his horse, his lower body is completely submerged in the water, but upon arriving at the cabin where he meets Jean and Steve Jordan (Reeves), his clothes are completely dry! That is some kind of cowboy hero!

Well this story deals with cattle rustlers and counterfeit money, and if anyone's going to solve the case it's Hoppy and his pals. A bit of intrigue is thrown into the story because there's the issue of crossing the state line between Texas and Oklahoma, but that doesn't stop Cassidy from coming up with a plan. And when all is said and done, Hoppy never did wind up serving a writ, he just used his trusty lasso!

Another border problem

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 14 May 2015]

In Hoppy Serves A Writ Hopalong Cassidy is a sheriff and serving writs is certainly part of those duties. But when you're a Texas lawman and the outlaws are fleeing to Oklahoma Territory that becomes a problem. The outlaws are not only are fleeing to Oklahoma, but they're taking a large amount of rustled cattle there.

In real life this would have been a joint operation between the Texas sheriff and some federal marshals for the Territory. But this is a Hollywood western and a Hopalong Cassidy western and Hoppy settles his own problems albeit with a little incognito spy work. And these are all purpose outlaws that Victor Jory heads they don't specialize.

Hoppy's sidekicks are a little more useless than usual Andy Clyde especially. Though when the outlaws capture he doesn't crack under their brutality. Eventually its California who serves the writ and he does make a botch of it in his inimitable fashion.

Victor Jory is always a nasty and snarling villain and Jory did many a Hoppy film. So did future television Superman George Reeves who plays Jory's younger brother. Further down the cast list and making his film debut is Robert Mitchum definitely the most famous actor to ever appear in Hopalong Cassidy films. Mitchum is one of Jory's henchmen and he did several Cassidy films usually as an outlaw.

Not one of the better Hoppy films, but the film is the birth of the a screen legend.

Delivers one of the funniest lines in any non-comedy movie

[chesterbosco · 10/10 · 6 November 2012]

I find this an excellent departure from the usual Hoppy routine. The dialog when Hoppy is checking into the hotel is worth the price of admission. Maybe it's just me but I find it side splitting, and a tad more adult than you'd expect from either a Hoppy movie or any movie made in 1943. William Boyd's personality is as winning as ever. Seeing Robert Mitchum's first film appearance is a hoot and George Reeves inclusion is welcome, as always. Both Mitchum and Reeves would be regulars in the Hoppy films for several years, alternating between the bad guy and the good guy. That's all I've got to say on this subject. I have to add some lines to get this to be accepted by IMDb.

One for Mitchum fans!

[JohnHowardReid · 6/10 · 7 February 2018]

United Artists, 12 March 1943, George Archainbaud. Based on the 1941 novel, Hopalong Cassidy Serves a Writ, by Clarence Edward Mulford.

CAST: William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Jay Kirby, Victor Jory, George Reeves, Jan Christy, Hal Taliaferro, Forbes Murray, Bob Mitchum, Byron Foulger, Earle Hodgins, Roy Barcroft, Ben Corbett. 67 minutes. (Available on an excellent Echo Bridge or a likewise Platinum Disc DVD).

COMMENT: Number 44 (or 46, depending upon whose numbering system you're using - Zinman's or Marill's) -- in the series, is the first to be directed by George Archainbaud who handled all twelve of Boyd's personal productions (numbers 55 through 66).

Good old George A. certainly commences his stint most promisingly. There's a first-class fight between Hoppy and the villain and other sequences of excitingly staged action. True, the climax itself is a bit disappointing, but that can't be blamed on the director. It's simply the way Gerald Geraghty's script (based on an actual Mulford novel for a change) pans out. On the other hand, this makes the movie a bit different from others in the series where all the action is saved for the final reel.

To accommodate dark stock footage, Russell Harlan's photography is slightly below his usual brilliant standard.

Of course, what most people will want to know is how Robert Mitchum comes out of this affair. Bob plays a member of the cattle rustling gang. He figures in a few scenes and even has one or two lines, but then unaccountably disappears. We don't see him at the climax at all. According to Marill, the correct order of the Mitchum Hoppies is Border Patrol, this one, The Leather Burners, Colt Comrades, Bar 20, False Colors, and Riders of the Deadline.

Hoppy Goes Uptown

[dougdoepke · 5 June 2022]

Check out Hoppy in an uptown suit of all things. As a sheriff in Texas he's after stage robbers and cattle rustlers who've escaped into Oklahoma Territory where he's got no authority. So he goes undercover in a suit as a cattle buyer along with his two buddies. But how can he get the baddies back to Texas where he can arrest them.

Solid if unexceptional entry in the series, notable mainly for its unusual supporting cast. This is the iconic Robert Mitchum's first flick. He's one of the baddies and has, by my count, two scenes where he speaks. It's not auspicious, but he's on his way. Then there's George Reeves, another of the baddies, with many more lines. Later he would star in the 1950's series Superman, and die violently in 1959 under highly suspicious circumstances. Lastly is Victor Jory, a superb villian from many 40's crime flicks. Too bad he doesn't have more scenes here to unnerve the audience with.

Anyway, there's lots of hard riding, a big final shootout, and maybe best a heckuva barroom brawl. I guess my only gripe is Clyde's California whose wild antics sometimes go over the top. But that's minor. What's major is that it's good Hoppy entetainment for front-row geezers like me and cowboy fans of all ages. And, oh yeah, before I forget: Catch that adult-level innuendo when Hoppy checks in to the hotel as Jones, to which the clerk responds by saying that a lot of couples check in under that same name! Some writer's sneaky inside joke, I guess.

Robert Mitchum's Screen Debut

[Single-Black-Male · 3 November 2003]

The 26 year old Robert Mitchum made his screen debut in this film. I'm not too sure how good an actor he really is because he always seems to sound the same. The true test is when you compare him acting as an antagonist as opposed to a protagonist. He's a better protagonist because he's the consistent broad shouldered, tall American.