Men of America

An exciting, atypical "modern" western in that automobiles as well as horses are used by the ranchers. Set in 1932, bank robbers are hiding out and laying low after a foolish robbery of $50,000 in $1000 banknotes, which gang leader Cicero knows cannot be spent. With no other money, they resort to stealing food from the local ranchers, but are discovered, leading to a climactic battle. I enjoyed the modern setting, which sets it apart from the usual B-western 1930's format, and the suspense had me biting my fingernails. The screenplay is excellent for this type of movie and the direction, by Ralph Ince, who also plays the villain, moves along at a good pace. William Boyd shows some of his skills that made him a star in the series of Hopalong Cassidy films a few years later, and Charles "Chic" Sales (who provides some of the comedy) and Dorothy Wilson (who provides the love interest) are good in their co-starring roles.