This one was directed by Alvin J. Nietz under his "Alan James" pseudonym. Nietz also added a lot of color (e.g. the climax in the storm, the addition of the Charles King character) to the script. Despite a familiar plot by Betty Burbridge and Forrest Sheldon that is a little naive in some places and bit long on coincidence in others, in Neitz's hands, "The Lone Avenger" provides a terrific feast not only for Ken Maynard fans but for all lovers of suspenseful, action-full, well- acted and stylishly produced "B" westerns. If you're not enthralled by all the action, stuntwork, fist fights and fast riding by the time the climax rolls around, then that finale in the saloon as the streets outside are lashed by a vicious thunderstorm will certainly have you cringing fearfully on the edge of your seat.
Both writers and casting director play some fascinating tricks on the audience. Whilst Maynard portrays much his usual stranger-in-town- with-a-score-to-settle, Muriel Gordon plays unusually fast as the heroine, and Charles King turns out to be a good guy! On the other hand, Niles Welch, the innocuous second lead of "The Mysterious Rider" (1933) comes across most effectively here as the schemingly ruthless head villain — whose evil intentions are superbly abetted by cowardly henchman, Al Bridge.
Both writers and casting director play some fascinating tricks on the audience. Whilst Maynard portrays much his usual stranger-in-town- with-a-score-to-settle, Muriel Gordon plays unusually fast as the heroine, and Charles King turns out to be a good guy! On the other hand, Niles Welch, the innocuous second lead of "The Mysterious Rider" (1933) comes across most effectively here as the schemingly ruthless head villain — whose evil intentions are superbly abetted by cowardly henchman, Al Bridge.