Dangerous Venture (1947)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

The Worst Film Ever

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

A United Artists picture, released 23 May 1947, directed by George Archainbaud.CAST: William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Rand Brooks, Fritz Leiber, Douglas Evans, Harry Cording, Betty Alexander, Francis McDonald, Neyle Morrow, Patricia Tate, Bob Faust, Ken Tobey, Jack Quinn, Bill Nestell. 59 minutes. (Available on an excellent Platinum Disc or Echo Bridge DVD). COMMENT: Probably the best of the dozen Boyd-produced entries, thanks to an interest-capturing script by Doris Schroeder (who manages to cram two major and reasonably exciting plot-threads into 59 minutes) and some splendid acting by Betty Alexander (in the first and largest of only two credited roles), well-spoken Douglas Evans (it was no surprise to discover he was a radio announcer before turning to Hollywood and playing bit parts in more than a hundred films), Neyle Morrow as the Indian youth (well, he looked no more than 18 to me, although he was actually 32), Harry Cording as the villain's villain, the lovely Patricia Tate as the Indian princess (this one and the previous Hoppy are her only movies), and even our old friend, Ken Tobey, as one of Cording's henchmen. Great scenic vistas of the Alabama Hills are used most effectively by photographer Mack Stengler. David Chudnow's music score is a cut above the average too.

Hoppy protects a young Indian boy who is being chased and unjustly accused of being the lookout for a band of rustlers since carved amulets are found after each rustling raid. As it happens, the young boy works for the archaeologist Dr. Sue Harmon (Betty Alexander). Doc Harmon and Hoppy are old friends and she persuades him and sidekicks California and Lucky to join in the archaeological dig. Unfortunately, a colleague of hers is no good and joins forces with the head of the rustling gang in a scheme to steal and then sell the Indian artifacts. The scenery in this movie is stunning and having an archaeology expedition as part of the story is refreshing – as is having a woman archaeologist. I was reminded again in seeing this movie how good Hoppy was in fist fights – they are so realistic (unlike fights in some B Westerns).

Really good Hoppy for those who like lots of outdoor action. The cast gets to ride around the big-rock Alabama Hills for the whole hour, with all those scenic vistas of the southern Sierras in the background. The plot is more complex than usual. Hoppy's got to keep the Indians peaceful, beat the rustlers, help the archaeologists, and figure out who the bad guys are (there's more than one moustache).There's more ducking around the big rocks than hard-riding or fast-shooting. But I really like the imaginative touches of an Indian altar and "ghost riders". Plus there're two pretty girls to look at, causing me to wonder how I can join the Indian princess's (Pat Tate) tribe. Anyhow, it's still a lot of fun for us old cowboy wannabe's.(In passing—Hoppy was a fixture for years at LA's annual Rose Parade. He always made a point of riding over to the kids and smilingly doffing his hat. What a thrill for this former Front Row kid. Thanks, Hoppy.)

I just saw this flick today on the Westerns Channel. It is my first look at William Boyd aka Hopalong Cassidy. I have seen several other Western stars like Tom Mix, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry and I must saw from an early examination, Hoppy seems to be slightly more engaging than the others in his company. This B-movie is also helped by a supporting cast, which seems to remind one of the cast of "Stagecoach" with the likes of Andy Devine which to me made the movie as memorable as John Wayne's performance as Ringo. This is one of the best B-Westerns I've seen so far. Don't expect the intellectual depths of "Red River" or "The Searchers," but for a good time and a nice glimpse into what it must have been like to be a kid watching a serial in the 40s (long before my time), check this one out!