The Hawk of Powder River

While I have seen a few hundred B-westerns, this was my first starring Eddie Dean. Overall, I'd have to say that he was quite competent...but nothing more. His singing was nice...some other singing cowboys sang nicer. He was decent on the horse and acting...many others seemed to have more charisma and natural talent.

In "The Hawk of Powder River" you've got a very anachronistic plot. A lady leads a gang of criminals and she's a hooded figure known as 'The Hawk'...but the film reveals she is Vivian and she lives with her nice Uncle. But, when the Uncle stumbles upon her hidden identity, he is murdered. The Hawk doesn't mind...as she'd like to inherit her Uncle's ranch. However, the Uncle had a daughter...and so it's up to her gang to kill the lady. But, as is typical in these sort of films, the hero and his dippy sidekick arrive and soon put things to right...very soon considering the film was only 55 minutes long. In fact, even for a B-movie that's kind of short and there really wasn't much suspense as it seemed obvious who the criminals were as well as their wicked intentions.

The film is fine for lovers of the genre but certainly didn't turn me into a Dean fan. Perhaps I'll try a couple more...and perhaps he'll grow on me.