Under Colorado Skies (1947) User Reviews

An Outlaw Private Physician

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 23 July 2011]

Under Colorado Skies finds Monte Hale as a medical student working at a bank to pay his way through college. During a holdup, the bank president is killed and Monte left holding the bag. The inside man was John Alvin, brother to Lorna Gray who Monte is courting. Most of us would talk right up and save ourselves, but not this tightlipped cowboy hero. Monte escapes the law and goes in pursuit of the gang and the brother.

This was a pretty good Republic western with Hale shown to best advantage. Paul Hurst has a standout role as the saloon owner who becomes Hale's best friend and benefactor. But stealing the film in every scene he's in is William Haade, the genial outlaw leader who kidnaps Monte and kind of likes having his personal physician around in his line of work.

Definitely try to catch this one, B western fans will love it.

Hale, Hale The Gang's All Here!

[bsmith5552 · 7/10 · 27 October 2020]

"Under Colorado Skies" was one of the better Monte Hale westerns. Republic Pictures was breaking in their new Trucolor process and the Hale westerns were chosen as a test ground, This film was given a bigger budget, longer running time and an "A" list leading lady in Adrian Booth (aka Lorna Gray).

Monte is working his way through college in a bank in Allentown, Texas. He is in a relationship with the lovely Julia Collins (Booth) who is waiting for him to graduate as a doctor. Julia's brother Jeff (John Alvin) is working with the notorious Marlowe gang. When the bank closes for the day, Jeff knocks at the rear door and Monte lets him in. Jeff knocks Monte out as two of Marlowe's men Red (Gene Evans - in his first film) and Pond (Steve Raines) rnter and rob the bank. The Bank President enters and is killed by the bandits. Monte not wanting to tell Julia of her brother's involvement takes the blame for the murder. The sheriff (Edmund Cobb) arrests him.

Monte breaks away from the deputies and escapes. Later in Colorado, Monte comes upon Foy Willing and The Riders of the Purple Sage heading for the town of Rim Rock for a singing job. Monte accompanies them to Lucky John Hawkins (Paul Hurst) saloon. Monte joins the group.

News comes of a stagecoach holdup with Julia being aboard and wounded. She is brought to Lucky's where medical student Monte is forced to blow his cover and treat Julia's wound. As it happens, gang ;leader Marlowe was also wounded in the robbery. Marlowe's men force Monte to accompany them to Marlowe's hideout to treat his wound. There Monte sees that Jeff is there as a member of the gang.

Prospector Slim (Hank Patterson) has discovered silver in the area. Marlowe's man Faro (Leroy Mason) overhears and informs the gang. They plan to steal a planned silver shipment for themselves. But Julia brings word from Monte to set up an elaborate scheme to draw the gang into town. Monte, riding with the gang jumps aboard the wagon with the loot and flees purposely crashing the wagon to prevent the gang from getting the money.

Monte is arrested by sheriff Blanchard (Tom London). Wily old Lucky and Willing and the boys break Monte out of jail by faking his death. Lucky and Slim collaborate on a plan to fool Faro into thinking a large shipment of silver would be sent over a secret route. Faro on his way to the hideout comes upon Monte and Julia discussing their plan. Faro gets into a fight with Monte. Jeff, who was nearby, intercedes and is stabbed by Faro who is in turn shot by Monte.

Marlowe calls all of his men in to participate in the planned robbery. The sheriff forms a posse, the two gangs meet in a fierce gun battle and................................

Foy Willing and Co. would move over to the Roy Rogers series following the departure of The Sons of the Pioneers and Monte would return to Black and White.. Gene Evans would go on to a long career as a popular character actor for many years.