User reviews

When Billy Carson stops a stagecoach robbery, he finds himself involved in a dangerous dispute between Jeff Barkley and Vic Landreau, a crooked land baron who wants to gain control of Barkley's ranch. When Landreau kills Barkley he takes the money Billy paid him. But Billy had been wounded earlier and blood got on the money. Billy suspects Landreau and needs to get into his safe and see his money

Overland Raiders is a fairly passable yet a thoroughly routine western with a plot that tick boxes the usual western tropes. Not much action, the pace can be static but Buster Crabbe and Fuzzy keep things afloat at least for some enjoyment.

Buster Crabbe and Al St. John meet up on the road and ride into town together. Crabbe is there to purchase cattle from Slim Whitaker for his boss; St. John wants a small piece of Whitaker's spread for his own. Crabbe pays off Whitaker, whose cattle have been raided and needs the cash to pay off a note to Jack O'Shea. Whitaker won't sell, not to St. John, and not to O'Shea. But the next day, when he goes into town to pay off the note, Whitaker is killed and the money vanishes. With St. John in jail, can Crabbe save the ranch for Whitaker's daughter, Patti McCarty?

It's a better plot than most of Crabbe's PRC westerns sported, even if all the details are laid out at the beginning. Sam Newfield directs efficiently, as is his wont, even if he doesn't add much to the proceedings. Jack Greenhalgh's camerawork looks like it would be very good if the copy weren't too contrasty.