Darn Good Westerns Vol. 1

6 movies/2 DVD’s

HELLGATE – This post-Civil War yarn was adapted from the story of Dr. Mudd, the physician who attended John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Lincoln. In 1867 Kansas, veterinarian Sterling Hayden treats an injured stranger who turns out to have been a guerrilla raider–and Hayden soon finds himself serving a term in one of the world’s most terrifying prisons under sadistic commandant Ward Bond.  1952|87 mins|B&W|1.33:1|NR

PANHANDLE – John Sands (Rod Cameron), a reformed gunman, now a storekeeper in a Mexican border town, again straps on gun belt and six-shooters to find the killer of his brother. Fists and bullets fly when he finds that he must contend not only with badmen, but with lawmen who remember his outlaw past. Shot amidst rugged Lone Pine, California scenery, and co-written and co-produced by future Hollywood legend Blake Edwards—who also plays the role of a baby-faced killer!  1948|84 mins|Sepiatone|1.33:1|NR

FANGS OF THE WILD (Follow the Hunter) (1954): A boy who has frequently cried “Wolf!” now cries “Murder!”–and this time he’s telling the truth. But because of his fib-filled history, when he claims to have seen hunter Charles Chaplin Jr. shoot and kill a fellow hunter, no one will believe the lad. No one, that is…except Chaplin. Beautiful Big Bear scenery co-stars in this suspenseful drama.  1954|72 mins|B&W|1.33:1|NR

TRAIN TO TOMBSTONE – There are roaring wheels and roaring thrills as the Tombstone train crosses “unfriendly Indian” territory with the usual offbeat assortment of passengers (a la Stagecoach), among them a “law officer” (Robert Lowery) who is actually a crook with his eye on the train’s government gold shipment. Can passenger Donald Barry be trusted, or is he yet another outlaw? 1950|60 mins.|B&W|1.33:1|NR

OPERATION  HAYLIFT – The infamous 1949 real-life blizzards that threatened Nevada cattle herds are recreated in this drama with Bill Williams and Ann Rutherford as ranchers imperiled by the snows until the U.S. Air Force organizes “Operation Haylift.” Co-written by Joe Sawyer, one of the leading players, and made with USAF cooperation (and film footage of the actual operation). 1950|77 mins.|B&W|1.33:1:NR

WILDFIRE – A gang of crooks is attempting to drive out the local ranchers by rustling their horses and laying the blame on “Wildfire”, the leader of a wild horse herd. Happy Hay (Bob Steele) and Alkali (Sterling Holloway), a pair of wandering horse traders, are also framed by the gang on murder and rustling charges, but they, with the help of Judge Polson (William Farnum) and sheriff Johnny Deal (Eddie Dean) manage to apprehend the real culprits. 1945|57 mins|Color|1.33:1|NR

SPECIAL FEATURES: Original Theatrical Trailers,; Short: “Hold ‘Em Cowboy”, Rare Photos of the Actual “Operation Haylift”, Short: “Born in Freedom: The Story of Colonel Drake” starring Vincent Price.