Land Beyond the Law

Dick Foran is Chip Douglas, known for his guitar, and his horse. When his dad (Tom Brower) is knocked off, he's the new sheriff, determined to enforce the law in this lawless part of new mexico. Brower died right after this film was made, quite young at age 59. Milton Kibbee is the sheriff, letting the rustlers and bandits get away with whatever they wanted. So now it's a war: the bandits against the ranchers, backed by the new lawmen. It's a warner brothers shortie, at 54 minutes. Things happen pretty fast! Co-stars Irene Franklin, Wayne Morris. Morris (plays Dave) died at 45 of a heart attack. Cy Kendall (plays Henaberry) died young at 55. What cursed cast! Film directed by Reeves Eason. He had worked on Gone with the Wind, and the silent version of Ben Hur. Apparently, so many horses were hurt while filming the chariot race scene, that this started the practice of having the humane society on set to observe animal safety. This film is a traditional western, with the good guys against the bad guys, even if no-one wears the black hat. And of course, the local girl falls for the new sheriff, after hating him at first. Typical. Picture and sound are quite good... it must have been restored.