Border Vigilantes (1941)

"You should have made certain I was dead," outlaw Hal Taliaferro sneers when running into a Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd), who earlier had left him for dead in the desert. A few seconds later, Taliaferro hits the floor and this time there is no return. Formerly known as Wally Wales, Taliaferro was usually as wooden as the next B-Western supporting player, but under first-time director Derwin Abrahams, he positively shines. Above-average acting and a no-nonsense approach to the often timeworn material are were exactly the ingredients that separated the Cassidy Westerns from the pack, especially in the early '40s. William Boyd himself is never less than first-rate in Border Vigilantes, and Victor Jory, as the Boss Heavy, makes the perfect adversary. Even the comic relief provided by the veteran Andy Clyde is tolerable and the always fetching Frances Gifford, the erstwhile Jungle Girl, reveals a heretofore unknown talent by warbling "Is This Our Last Night Together?" to juvenile lead Russell Hayden. It all climaxes in an exciting and bullet-ridden finale, filmed in the picturesque Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, CA, a favorite location spot for this fine series. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide