Under Strange Flags

UNDER STRANGE FLAGS seems an unlikely title for this entry in E. B. Derr's series of fictionalized historical action pictures, but the film itself is well directed by I. V. Willat and nicely photographed by Arthur Martinelli. With a less complicated narrative than the other features in the series, John H. Auer contributing the original story this time around, UNDER STRANGE FLAGS deals with a pack train carrying silver wanted by both Pancho Villa and one of his adversaries. Tom Keene is cast as an American residing in Mexico with his mother, sweetheart, and the latter's brother - all of whom become involved in the struggle to keep the silver from getting into the wrong hands.

Budd Buster, 45-year-old character actor seen in a staggering variety of supporting roles in westerns of the 1930s and '40s, is virtually unrecognizable and quite remarkable as Keene's Mexican sidekick, providing moments of comic relief. Adopting a thoroughly acceptable accent and cavorting around the set with the limber limbs of a trained dancer, Buster's performance suggests more theatrical experience than most of his biographical sketches indicate. He was a great asset to this series, as well as to an earlier group of westerns produced by Ray Kirkwood and starring Bill Cody.

Luana Walters is excellent as the leading lady, Tom Keene's performance is above-par, and the rest of the cast is more than competent. UNDER STRANGE FLAGS is a straightforward action feature, with less emphasis on history than other entries in the series, with a well-directed cast making the finished product a cut above the norm.