Riders of the Deadline

I hate to be so negative, but aside from William Boyd's always-pleasing performance as Hoppy and the mostly decent production values and scenery, this film isn't up to par with the better Hoppy outings.

One thing that amused me (partially because it was so unusual) is when Andy Clyde as Califonia Carlson went about trying to actually hang himself because he was so depressed that Hoppy (apparently) turned bad. Jimmy Rogers added to the fun in discussing the hanging-to-be with Carlson. (Jimmy Rogers make for a weak sidekick, at least as compared to the others in the series. The other co-stars were on the weak side too.) Another silly but amusing thing involving Carlson was when Hoppy wedged him into the "V" of a tree trunk in order to disable him for the moment.

One of the things that stand out for me is how so little thought seemed to be given to staging the action in any believable way. With all the experienced production crew and the success of the Hoppy franchise, they could have done a better direction job. Two examples I can think of off-hand: (1) Hoppy, going undercover, is accused of being bad. Only the Ranger boss knows this, and the two arrange for Hoppy to "escape" custody. Hoppy does this in such an unbelievable way -- amidst the other Rangers, Hoppy jumps on his horse and simply rides off SAFELY in a hail of bullets; and (2) worst scene ever is when Hoppy is under suspicion and riding with the gang of bad guys and is watched closely by bad-guy Robert Mitchum. Suddenly,Hoppy (on horseback) kicks the gun out of Mitchum's hand and successfully gallops away again in a hail of bullets. Jeesh!