Riders of the Timberline

Edging on for A feature production values, tho economies do occasionally show - off screen explosion, limited time with the real donkey engine or the vintage locomotive. It's not all that strong in the scripting line either.

At the logging camp run by Victor Jory, with a check shirt over his padded vest and a thick Frog accent, another logger has been injured and Tom Tyler (obviously up to no good) has called the men out.

Hoppy, California and Johnny Nelson help out, along with Stewart's rail flat car full of Fighting (& singing) Kinkajous

Much logging activity, including an ambitious montage and Hoppy and Johnny actually finishing off downing a modest size trunk. Another of the deception plots cross cuts Hoppy and the boys on the rail hand car pursued by Jory's train and Stewart racing on horseback to tell the loggers the truth. Climax has our heroes riding the timber high line with Hoppy diving into the lake and disposing of the fire in the hole, where the bad hats are planning on blowing up the dam.

Players of the class of Tyler and Nilsson are punching below their weight but they and the timber scenics add. Technical work is excellent, outside of obvious process photography.

Jory does the same character in LUMBERJACK, which must have helped with stock footage.

There's even an explicit eco-theme, with J Farrel McDonald insisting on planting a tree for every one he chops down, unlike the heavies who covert his timber.

Certainly one of the better Hoppys.