Red Ryder: Gun Trouble Valley (1955)

Produced by Gene Autry's Flying "A" production company and starring Allan Lane in the role that had made him a popular matinee hero in the mid-'40s, Red Ryder should have been a winner. Lane, who reportedly had supported himself as a used car salesman after his contract with Republic had expired in 1953, came out of retirement for this and appears as fit as ever. The plot, of course, is standard, but the Lone Pine scenery is breathtaking and little Louis Lettieri and veteran television actress Elizabeth Slifer do well in their stock assignments. But for whatever reason -- a glut on the market, perhaps? -- the pilot didn't sell and Lane's starring career came to an end. He later supplied the voice of television's Mr. Ed. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide