Frontier Pony Express

Roy shows his stuff in this 1939 programmer. It's the cowboy hero at his youthful and acrobatic best, though his screen time is limited by complex plot lines. Those lines might be hard to follow with their many twists and turns, as Union, Confederate, and grungy outlaws all compete to control Pony Express's message transfers, with Pony rider Roy in the middle. But that's okay since the hard riding and wacko shooting seldom lets up. But someone please tell old Horseshoe (Hatton) to find that cameo pin before old witch (Wales) makes a cameo out of him. And how about that joyous reception the stagecoach gets at movie's beginning; sort of makes the passengers wish they had stayed back east.

Anyway, it's Roy before Dale, even though Lynne Roberts makes a good sweetie to warm up to. Also, I hope the studio paid Trigger triple for his beautifully executed and unusual solo run. In sum, Republic popped for more than the usual programmer with a large cast and unfamiliar locations. So, you don't have to be a former front-row kid to enjoy Roy at his youthful best.