Prairie Pals

Stan Jolley and Charles King were both good actors, but too often given shallow characters to play. Not this time.

They interact well, and give their characters some depth.

Which is more, I'm sorry to write, than can be said about Art Davis and Bill "Cowboy Rambler" Boyd (making at least three Bill Boyd actors, including two cowboy Bill Boyds).

Davis and Boyd were together in about six movies, and were always likable enough, just never outstanding, never thrilling. They were better singers than actors, though they were usually at least adequate. And in fact their singing was often very good to listen to, especially when harmonizing.

Lee Powell made only two more movies after this before entering the Marine Corps and dying in World War II. A very sad end for anyone, of course, and very sad for his fans, but perhaps even more sad for a man who could have become a big, or at least bigger, star.

Esther Estrella, the only female, didn't have much to do but look pretty, and she did that extremely well. But she didn't make many pictures.

For some reason, director Sam Newfield used the name of Peter Stewart but "Prairie Pals" showed some very nice touches and he should have gotten credit.

There is a print at YouTube that is very hard to see and is chopped up badly so it's often hard to hear, but I found it worthwhile, a pleasant enough way to while away an hour or so. I hope you like it too.