Laramie Mountains

Charles Starrett is back as Steve Holden/The Durango Kid and he's ready to clean up the reservation from golddiggers Fred Sears and his henchmen Rory Mallison and Zon Murray.

As a fan of the B-Western I have to admit the later Durango Kids are among my least favorites. The early Durango Kid's were entertaining though often a little stilted."The Durango Kid" and "Return of the Durango Kid" are entertaining B-westerns. And for the singing cowboy fans check out Bob Wills in two good Durangos, Lawless Empire and Blazing the Western Trail.

Which brings us to this film. This was one the last of the Durango Kid series. While Charles Starrett conveyed an amiable, likable screen persona, to me he always seemed more like the Family Insurance Agent than an Western Movie Star. Also by this time Starrett was a little long in the tooth for the role of the Durango Kid. At almost 50 he seemed more suited for the role of the Durango Kid's father. Fred Sears, who directed most of the later Durangos plays the lead heavy. and Jock Mahoney gives us his best impression of an Indian Brave as Swift Eagle. Smiley Burnette is also along for the ride and contributes the comic relief with his zany antics.

By this time harsh economic reality was setting in on the movie studios. With a run time of 54 minutes, it feels like this one was produced, directed and edited with the heart of an accountant. The studio penny-pinching really shows through. Just not a lot to recommend here. This one is for die hard Durango Kid Fans only.