To judge by its longevity, the Durango Kid westerns starring Charles Starrett easily achieve the prize for the most popular western series ever made. I'll admit that towards the end of the trail, both excitement and production values were somewhat less than fans had a right to expect, but this one is definitely a title to seek out and enjoy. Indeed, an excitingly staged saloon brawl with Robert Wilke doing his own stunts – including a spectacular plunge over a table and chair (an obvious double is used for Mr. Starrett in all his more strenuous endeavors) – is excuse enough to add this title to your must-see list. Other action highlights in this lively entry include a couple of chases and a shoot-out with a careering wagon charging through the sheriff's posse, a jail break, a murder and a kidnapping. In addition to the creditable stunt-work, Nazzaro's direction is brisk and shows more traces of style than usual, making liberal use of panning and tracking shots. Film editing is extremely sharp – in fact some fans might say the editing's even too sharp as it often cuts too quickly away from tracking-in shots when those shots have barely commenced. Nevertheless, this stratagem certainly makes for pace. The songs in this one are pleasant enough, but unmemorable. Most of them are put across by Miss Virginia Maxey, who has very little else to do, alas. (This was the first of her only four movie appearances, all in 1948). Photography is adept and production values good.
3 Reviews
Durango kid, smuggled gold and yodelling Smiley
coltras3527 February 2021
Another enjoyable Durango kid film, but with better production values than the later entries in the 50's, and some really great stunts - the Bar room brawl is really exciting as is the fast galloping shootouts. The breezy songs cut in the right time and doesn't distract or slow the brisk pace.
No Mystery To This One
boblipton17 June 2023
Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnette hit town; Starrett to see his old friend, Jim Bannon, and Burnette as a traveling glazier. But Bannon is accused by his partner, George Chesebro, of using their freight company to smuggle government gold, and killing some people. Only Bannon's son, Tommy Ivo, and dance-hall girl Virginia Maxey think him innocent.
This one isn't so much about who the bad guy is, but how to expose him, and we have little doubt that Starrett will find a way to do so, and to produce his white horse Raider. I'm never sure where he stashes the animal when he isn't riding him, but Smiley Burnette will sing a few songs. Pleasant, and the only feature band singer Miss Maxey ever did.
This one isn't so much about who the bad guy is, but how to expose him, and we have little doubt that Starrett will find a way to do so, and to produce his white horse Raider. I'm never sure where he stashes the animal when he isn't riding him, but Smiley Burnette will sing a few songs. Pleasant, and the only feature band singer Miss Maxey ever did.
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