Silver City Kid (1944)
A landowner tries to drink his neighbor's molybdenum milkshake and winds up having him killed. It's up to Allan Lane to find out what happened and apprehend the culprits.
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Highly Overrated But Still Good
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
As was the case in many series westerns, the title of the movie had nothing to do with the plot. First of all there's no silver in the story, its an unpronounceable metal (molybdenum) that is used to harden steel. Secondly, there is no one in the cast identified in any way as The Silver City Kid. Having said all of that, this movie is one of a series that starred Allan Lane in the days before he became Red Ryder and "Rocky" Lane. Lane is Jack Adams the foreman of the Clayton Ranch. Owner Steve Clayton (Lane Chandler) is murdered when he finds out why bad guys Ballard (Harry Woods) and Banker Stoner (Frank Jaquet) are trying to convince him to sell his ranch. It seems that a rich deposit of the ore is right under the ranch. Clayton's sister Ruth (Peggy Stewart) and Adams and his pal Wildcat (Wally Vernon) take up the fight. There's plenty of action including a pretty good saloon brawl and a couple of gunfights, before the baddies are brought to justice in the final reel. Director John English keeps the story moving and Republic's expert stunt people keep the action scenes exciting and entertaining. And there is the usual supporting cast of veteran players. In addition to those already mentioned, there is Glenn Strange as the chief henchman and Tom London as the sheriff. Stuntman Tom Steele even has a small role as "one of the boys". "Twinkle" Watts is along for the kiddies as, you guessed it, Twinkle. Allan Lane had appeared in a few serials at Republic in the early 40s before getting this series. This I believe, was Wally Vernon's only appearance as Lane's sidekick.