Never having heard of producer-director Albert C. Gannaway, I wasn't sure what to expect, even though I am a long-time fan of Jim Davis.
In addition, I had never seen Faron Young in a movie, either, and again had no idea what to expect.
Faron Young, whom I remember from my childhood as a singer, turns out to be one good action hero, an excellent cowboy movie star.
Director Gannaway was an absolute master of camera placement.
So I was not only surprised, I was exceedingly pleased by what I saw in "Raiders of Old California."
The script has some flaws. I never heard of Comanches in California, but except for the title, California doesn't seem to have anything to do with this. It seems, except for the title, to be in Texas and maybe Arizona. "Seems" because of a discussion about the boundaries of the land in question.
But the story moves otherwise beautifully, with superb action, highly professional stunts, and plenty of them, and, again, lots of action, with Faron Young playing his part as if he had made a hundred movies.
Harry Lauter gets one of his best roles, and plays it perfectly. He was an actor! And deserved more and bigger roles.
Jim Davis has never been more evil. Another truly great actor.
Douglas Fowley gives what must be his most unusual performance, as a crusty desert-rat kind of sheriff. Another truly great actor, he more often played a villain, and usually a city slicker, but his characterization here is just eye-popping.
Lee Van Cleef also gives an excellent performance as a nasty character, and his eventual switch to hero roles was gratifying to his fans, and impressive to his audience. He was paid, according to reports, with satchels and briefcases full of money to make a series of Italian westerns, and he earned every penny.
Everything -- except for the occasional script and/or title flaw -- about "Raiders" is excellent. For a very little known western, it is more than excellent, and I highly recommend you give it a look. There is a first-quality print available at YouTube, where I saw it. I hope you like and admire it as much as I do.
