Executive producer: Paul Malvern. A Paul Malvern Production.
Copyright 28 August 1933 by Monogram Pictures Corporation. No New York opening. U.S. release: 5 August 1933. 60 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: How can cash be stolen from a locked trunk on the stage when only the agent has the keys and the trunk arrives at its destination still locked? (Available on an Alpha DVD on a double bill with The Gun Range).
COMMENT: This time Hayes in his Gabby mode is helping out with Bobby Steele. After an introductory slap-up (I use that word advisedly) of stock footage (including some "remember-when-we-first-met" clips), the film improves once the new action really starts. Pacing is express-coach fast, whilst thrilling stunt-work gratifies our demand for dangerous excitements.
Although no Hollywood beauty in looks, our heroine is not only attractive but has a vital part to enact in the plot. Thanks to this ingredient, the screenplay packs in enough action and suspense to thrill all western fans. Even the acting is uniformly excellent. And Bob's director dad does a couple of nice continuity tricks with quick pans. Although hampered by a budgetary necessity to insert bits of stock footage, he directs throughout with his customary, pacily hard-hitting style, making effectively dramatic use of real desert-menace locations.
Copyright 28 August 1933 by Monogram Pictures Corporation. No New York opening. U.S. release: 5 August 1933. 60 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: How can cash be stolen from a locked trunk on the stage when only the agent has the keys and the trunk arrives at its destination still locked? (Available on an Alpha DVD on a double bill with The Gun Range).
COMMENT: This time Hayes in his Gabby mode is helping out with Bobby Steele. After an introductory slap-up (I use that word advisedly) of stock footage (including some "remember-when-we-first-met" clips), the film improves once the new action really starts. Pacing is express-coach fast, whilst thrilling stunt-work gratifies our demand for dangerous excitements.
Although no Hollywood beauty in looks, our heroine is not only attractive but has a vital part to enact in the plot. Thanks to this ingredient, the screenplay packs in enough action and suspense to thrill all western fans. Even the acting is uniformly excellent. And Bob's director dad does a couple of nice continuity tricks with quick pans. Although hampered by a budgetary necessity to insert bits of stock footage, he directs throughout with his customary, pacily hard-hitting style, making effectively dramatic use of real desert-menace locations.