Homesteaders of Paradise Valley

Being very partial, like I am, to BHB Cowboy-Dudes, Allan Lane, as Red Ryder, was the #1 reason why I so generously gave Homesteaders Of Paradise Valley 8 stars. Without Allan Lane, as Red Ryder, this film would've probably only rated in at about 5.

Like actors Jim Davis, Rex Lease, Johnny Mack Brown, Guinn Williams, and Buck Jones, Allan Lane ranks right up there as one of my top choices for B-Movie cowboys from Hollywood's heyday of Westerns (1935-1959).

In my books Lane is a bona-fide BHB Cowboy who definitely embodies all of the essential qualities required to satisfy me as an ardent Western fan.

Masculine, husky, with rugged good looks, Allan Lane was a very likable, mature-minded actor who had an easy-going, no-nonsense screen persona. This is the sort of thing that really appeals to me when it comes to B-Movie cowboys.

As a Western movie goes, Homesteaders Of Paradise Valley was certainly enjoyable enough. My one beef about this one had to do with Red Ryder's sidekick, Little Beaver, played by a 14 year-old Robert Blake.

All made up to be a Native Indian, Blake's character was not fitting or to my liking, at all. Little Beaver offered no comedy relief, nor, for that matter, did he offer anything worthwhile to the story in any way. This seemingly less-than-bright kid often times appeared to be hampering Red Ryder's attempts at heroism rather than help him. Thank goodness that Little Beaver wasn't present in every scene, or always at Ryder's side.

Anyways - Homesteaders Of Paradise Valley's story goes like this - Red Ryder convinces settlers to take up residence in Paradise Valley, much to the annoyance of businessmen from nearby Central City, who have big plans to build a dam there and then use the water for their own selfish purposes.

Working behind the scenes with Red Ryder, in order to get the dam built, these shifty businessmen then cheat the homesteaders out of their water rights at a stock holders' meeting and then, when trouble starts to brew, automatically lay the full blame on Ryder.