Played to death on New York's Channel 13 cowboy theater shows in the 1950's, "Ghost Town Gold" became one of my favorite "Three Mequiteers" westerns...right up there with "Riders of the Whistling Skull." Typical Robert Livingston - "Crash" Corrigan - Max Terhune fare with lots of action and shoot 'em up, made even more appealing with the addition of Kay Hughes as the love interest and a crazy old miner that "haunts" the ghost town using ghostly booby traps and weird sound effects to protect "his" gold. I loved it as a kid and tried to locate it for years...finally finding the videotape...and re-living my misspent youth!
10 Reviews
"This ain't no Madison Square Garden..."
classicsoncall22 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"Ghost Town Gold" was the second film in the Three Mesquiteers series from Republic Films, but if you're keeping score, it was the first to feature Max Terhune in the role of Lullaby Joslin. The simply titled "The Three Mesquiteers" appeared earlier the same year and was the only 3M story to use Syd Saylor (as Lullaby). The Livingston-Corrigan-Terhune team would make a total of fourteen films together before the group would start trading off partners for an eventual string of fifty one oaters.
Right out of the box, it was in this story that Lullaby picks up his ventriloquist dummy Elmer by virtue of hoodwinking a three card monte scammer. It's a funny scene, right after we're introduced to Lullaby as a card sharp trickster and sleight of hand artist.
The 'ghost town gold' connection at the center of the story employs an old timer named Jake (Milburn Morante) who 'finds' some sacks of gold stolen from Prospect, the next town over from Nemesis. In an unbelievable set of circumstances that probably wouldn't have worked in any other picture (except maybe for the Bowery Boys), old Jake uses an eerie sounding bullhorn and a set of levers rigged to make the rest of Nemesis fall apart as both the good guys and the villains attempt to recover the stolen gold. By the way, I should also mention that Jake rides the sorriest excuse for a horse you'll ever see, first appearing on screen as he trots out of the Nemesis town council meeting.
Robert Livingston got top billing in the 3M films, but Ray 'Crash' Corrigan had more screen time in this episode, and he actually looks more like the guy who should have been the lead player. Taller and more ruggedly handsome than Livingston, he also got the choice role of opposing boxer Wild Man Kamatski in the saloon ring. Not quite sure how the whole boxing motif fit in with the rest of the story other than to provide some more offbeat action in the fisticuffs department. For some reason, the main event between Kamatski and champion Thunderbolt O'Brien never played out. Maybe a good thing, I think the champ might have had his phony mustache knocked off.
Oh yeah, there's also a pretty female lead in the story, Kay Hughes as the daughter of the bank president who's safe was robbed. Still a mystery to me how the money was stolen unless the safe was left unlocked, but audiences of the Thirties didn't seem to require much in the way of a believable story line. Anyway, Sabina (Hughes) helps make the save in the finale by leading the good guys to Uncle Jake's Mine #6.
'B' Western fans will also spot a lot of the familiar character actors of the era here, chief among them LeRoy Mason as fight promoter Barrington, Yakima Canutt as his main henchman Buck, and Earle Hodgins as the ring announcer and referee. The uncredited cast list contains just about every other Western character actor you'd ever hope to see all in one place, the trick being not to blink too often, or you might miss one of them.
Right out of the box, it was in this story that Lullaby picks up his ventriloquist dummy Elmer by virtue of hoodwinking a three card monte scammer. It's a funny scene, right after we're introduced to Lullaby as a card sharp trickster and sleight of hand artist.
The 'ghost town gold' connection at the center of the story employs an old timer named Jake (Milburn Morante) who 'finds' some sacks of gold stolen from Prospect, the next town over from Nemesis. In an unbelievable set of circumstances that probably wouldn't have worked in any other picture (except maybe for the Bowery Boys), old Jake uses an eerie sounding bullhorn and a set of levers rigged to make the rest of Nemesis fall apart as both the good guys and the villains attempt to recover the stolen gold. By the way, I should also mention that Jake rides the sorriest excuse for a horse you'll ever see, first appearing on screen as he trots out of the Nemesis town council meeting.
Robert Livingston got top billing in the 3M films, but Ray 'Crash' Corrigan had more screen time in this episode, and he actually looks more like the guy who should have been the lead player. Taller and more ruggedly handsome than Livingston, he also got the choice role of opposing boxer Wild Man Kamatski in the saloon ring. Not quite sure how the whole boxing motif fit in with the rest of the story other than to provide some more offbeat action in the fisticuffs department. For some reason, the main event between Kamatski and champion Thunderbolt O'Brien never played out. Maybe a good thing, I think the champ might have had his phony mustache knocked off.
Oh yeah, there's also a pretty female lead in the story, Kay Hughes as the daughter of the bank president who's safe was robbed. Still a mystery to me how the money was stolen unless the safe was left unlocked, but audiences of the Thirties didn't seem to require much in the way of a believable story line. Anyway, Sabina (Hughes) helps make the save in the finale by leading the good guys to Uncle Jake's Mine #6.
'B' Western fans will also spot a lot of the familiar character actors of the era here, chief among them LeRoy Mason as fight promoter Barrington, Yakima Canutt as his main henchman Buck, and Earle Hodgins as the ring announcer and referee. The uncredited cast list contains just about every other Western character actor you'd ever hope to see all in one place, the trick being not to blink too often, or you might miss one of them.
The first teaming of Corrigan, Livingston and Terhune as the Three Mesquiteers.
planktonrules14 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Republic Studio's series "The Three Mesquiteers" was quite popular in the 1930s and 40s. Although the cast OFTEN changed (it even included John Wayne for a while), the team of Ray Corrigan, Robert Livingston and Max Terhune made the most of the 51 movies in the series--and these are the ones also generally available through the public domain.
"Ghost-Town Gold" is the second film in the series and the first to include all three of these actors as the Mesquiteers. It is interesting to note that because it's such an early film, Lullaby (Terhune) is a lot more morally suspect than he'd become in later films. More about this later.
The film begins with the team bringing in a mess of cattle and getting a huge check for their trouble. Lullaby wants to take the check to the bank himself--mostly because he plans on gambling with the trio's funds. During this odd portion, Lullaby cheats a few card sharks and, in the process, is given his ventriloquist dummy, Elmer (who, unfortunately, you'd see in Terhune's subsequent films in the series).
Later, after the evil owner of the bar/casino, Barrington, is ordered out of town, the mug decides to punish the town by robbing the bank. The Mesquiteers decide to help the banker and it appears that despite the robbery, the place will stay open. In addition, Tucson (Corrigan) is volunteered to box in a big match--and during this, Lullaby clearly cheats to help Tucson win the fight. However, just as he knocks out the challenger, Barrington absconds with the money. So, it's up to the trio to catch the jerk and return both the bank's money and the money from the match.
So what's the ghost town from the title? Well, a crazy old coot lives there alone--and he manages to find the stolen money! So, now the guy has EVERYONE converge on his ghost town to get the loot--and the old guy has a few amusing tricks up his sleeve! How the movie ends is pretty bizarre--but entertaining.
This is a better than average entry into the series. Now this does not mean it's a great film--none of the Mesquiteer films were. But, it's pleasant and undemanding fare--and a bit better than most Gene Autry or Roy Rogers films. Worth a look if you love the genre.
"Ghost-Town Gold" is the second film in the series and the first to include all three of these actors as the Mesquiteers. It is interesting to note that because it's such an early film, Lullaby (Terhune) is a lot more morally suspect than he'd become in later films. More about this later.
The film begins with the team bringing in a mess of cattle and getting a huge check for their trouble. Lullaby wants to take the check to the bank himself--mostly because he plans on gambling with the trio's funds. During this odd portion, Lullaby cheats a few card sharks and, in the process, is given his ventriloquist dummy, Elmer (who, unfortunately, you'd see in Terhune's subsequent films in the series).
Later, after the evil owner of the bar/casino, Barrington, is ordered out of town, the mug decides to punish the town by robbing the bank. The Mesquiteers decide to help the banker and it appears that despite the robbery, the place will stay open. In addition, Tucson (Corrigan) is volunteered to box in a big match--and during this, Lullaby clearly cheats to help Tucson win the fight. However, just as he knocks out the challenger, Barrington absconds with the money. So, it's up to the trio to catch the jerk and return both the bank's money and the money from the match.
So what's the ghost town from the title? Well, a crazy old coot lives there alone--and he manages to find the stolen money! So, now the guy has EVERYONE converge on his ghost town to get the loot--and the old guy has a few amusing tricks up his sleeve! How the movie ends is pretty bizarre--but entertaining.
This is a better than average entry into the series. Now this does not mean it's a great film--none of the Mesquiteer films were. But, it's pleasant and undemanding fare--and a bit better than most Gene Autry or Roy Rogers films. Worth a look if you love the genre.
Routine and Clichéd Western
Michael_Elliott27 June 2012
Ghost Town Gold (1936)
** (out of 4)
After being thrown out of a city, some men rob the local bank so that its president (who is also the Mayor) will come under fire of the locals. The Three Mesquiteers end up coming to his rescue by trying to track down the real crooks. Republic made fifty-one films in this series and GHOST TOWN GOLD was actually the second of the long running series. Outside the nice title, there's very little going on in this "B" Western, which features pretty much nothing but one cliché after another. If there's a prime example of a by-the-numbers Western then this here is probably just that. I think it's safe to say that this here is one of the least interesting entries in the series for a number of reason. The biggest is that Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune just weren't at their full strength in regards to their chemistry. I think the three of them lacked any charm as they went from one scene to the next and it really did come across as the trio trying to find the right touches. I thought the three of them delivered fine performances on their own but they just weren't quite clicking when it came time to have the three acting together. Another problem is that the story itself is just pretty much dead on arrival. Not once do you really care about the banker so you don't care if his name is cleared or not. You really don't care about the town and its people so again, you really don't care if their problem gets solved. The action is also pretty lacking in regards to excitement. GHOST TOWN GOLD is a film that's only going to appeal to fans of the genre but I doubt even they will find it too entertaining.
** (out of 4)
After being thrown out of a city, some men rob the local bank so that its president (who is also the Mayor) will come under fire of the locals. The Three Mesquiteers end up coming to his rescue by trying to track down the real crooks. Republic made fifty-one films in this series and GHOST TOWN GOLD was actually the second of the long running series. Outside the nice title, there's very little going on in this "B" Western, which features pretty much nothing but one cliché after another. If there's a prime example of a by-the-numbers Western then this here is probably just that. I think it's safe to say that this here is one of the least interesting entries in the series for a number of reason. The biggest is that Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune just weren't at their full strength in regards to their chemistry. I think the three of them lacked any charm as they went from one scene to the next and it really did come across as the trio trying to find the right touches. I thought the three of them delivered fine performances on their own but they just weren't quite clicking when it came time to have the three acting together. Another problem is that the story itself is just pretty much dead on arrival. Not once do you really care about the banker so you don't care if his name is cleared or not. You really don't care about the town and its people so again, you really don't care if their problem gets solved. The action is also pretty lacking in regards to excitement. GHOST TOWN GOLD is a film that's only going to appeal to fans of the genre but I doubt even they will find it too entertaining.
Three Mesquiteers have another adventure
ksf-28 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The Three Mesquiteers are at it again in this Alpha Home reprint of the 1934 Ghost Town Gold. Its an ensemble piece for Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan, and Max Terhune. This group had made a whole bundle of oat burners in the 1930s and 1940s. If you aren't familiar with Corriganville and its LONG history... check it out online, or in person. It's a beautiful, peaceful Los Angeles park now. The guys see that the bank has been robbed, and try to help the owner. About the same time, "someone" backs out of the big fight about to take place, and "Tucson" decides he'll fill in against Kamatski. All kinds of shenanigans during the fight... the bell keeps going off early, and people shooting tacks at the fighters. Then the lights go out and the're back on horses again, looking for the stolen money. Looks like the fight was just a temporary break. The old coot helps them out with his overly-elaborate trap doors and falling walls, so the money can be recovered and taken back to the bank. Lots of stunt work, since that was Corrigan's specialty. All neatly sewn up in under an hour. A sepia toned back and white. Original story by Bernard McConville, who had written a bunch of John Wayne westerns. Not bad. Its exactly what you expect from a low-key, shortie western from 1936.
Catching The Real Crooks
StrictlyConfidential4 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Gold-Town Gold" was originally released back in 1936.
Anyway - As the story goes - The Three Mesquiteers are searching for the individuals responsible for some missing gold, taken from the local bank. The banker has been charged with stealing the gold from his own bank and the Mesquiteers are looking to clear his name and catch the real crooks.
Anyway - As the story goes - The Three Mesquiteers are searching for the individuals responsible for some missing gold, taken from the local bank. The banker has been charged with stealing the gold from his own bank and the Mesquiteers are looking to clear his name and catch the real crooks.
Saving money and reputation
bkoganbing19 January 2015
The Three Mesquiteers find themselves in Ghost Town Gold trying to save the reputation of the mayor and bank president of a small boom town. After the bank is held up during a night robbery Burr Caruth's reputation is on the line. There's a big prize fight being held that night and the bet money is being held by the bank.
Speaking of the prize fight Ray Corrigan has to get into the ring as one of the fighters backs out. That makes it real personal for the Mesquiteers.
The key to the whole situation is desert rat Milburn Morante who holds up in a nearby ghost town. The bad guys hide the loot, but he finds it. It all makes for a bit more plot than one usually finds in a B western.
Best part of the film is the climax race back to town with the stolen money before the bank is supposed to open. I do love some of the tactics employed by the Mesquiteers to slow down the pursuing robbers.
I think you'll enjoy it too.
Speaking of the prize fight Ray Corrigan has to get into the ring as one of the fighters backs out. That makes it real personal for the Mesquiteers.
The key to the whole situation is desert rat Milburn Morante who holds up in a nearby ghost town. The bad guys hide the loot, but he finds it. It all makes for a bit more plot than one usually finds in a B western.
Best part of the film is the climax race back to town with the stolen money before the bank is supposed to open. I do love some of the tactics employed by the Mesquiteers to slow down the pursuing robbers.
I think you'll enjoy it too.
Awfully good cast and director in muddled script
morrisonhimself21 May 2015
The Mesquiteers display a lot of personality, and Tucson Smith in particular displays a lot of his physique, but the script is rather muddled, especially in the big gun battle at the end.
Still, it is the Mesquiteers so it is very much worth watching.
Not just the boys, but the entire cast is first rate, with the great stunt man Yakima Canutt, to name one, getting credit, but being listed last.
Hank Worden, who went on to screen immortality, gets a humorous bit part, uncredited, and other great cowboy players include Earle Hodgins, I. Stanford Jolley, Wally West, Wally Wales, and Edward Peil.
The leading lady, Kay Hughes, is a lovely lass I know nothing about, but she has 28 credits here at IMDb.
There is one error in the IMDb listing of cast members: Elmer, the puppet, is actually listed in the very opening credits, right alongside Max Terhune. And fortunately, in "Ghost Town Gold" Elmer is not as intrusive as sometimes.
I saw this in a rather poor print at YouTube and might have liked it better in a better print. But I liked it and do recommend it.
Still, it is the Mesquiteers so it is very much worth watching.
Not just the boys, but the entire cast is first rate, with the great stunt man Yakima Canutt, to name one, getting credit, but being listed last.
Hank Worden, who went on to screen immortality, gets a humorous bit part, uncredited, and other great cowboy players include Earle Hodgins, I. Stanford Jolley, Wally West, Wally Wales, and Edward Peil.
The leading lady, Kay Hughes, is a lovely lass I know nothing about, but she has 28 credits here at IMDb.
There is one error in the IMDb listing of cast members: Elmer, the puppet, is actually listed in the very opening credits, right alongside Max Terhune. And fortunately, in "Ghost Town Gold" Elmer is not as intrusive as sometimes.
I saw this in a rather poor print at YouTube and might have liked it better in a better print. But I liked it and do recommend it.
The Three Mesquiteers Searching for Stolen Gold in a Ghost Town
Uriah436 December 2023
Having just earned a tidy sum for the sale of some cattle, two cowboys named "Tucson Smith" (Ray Corrigan) and "Stony Brooke" (Robert Livingston) send their friend "Lullaby Joslin" (Max Terhune) into a nearby town to deposit their check. However, rather than going directly to the bank, Lullaby decides to spend some time in a nearby saloon playing poker instead. As a result, when both Tucson and Stony finally get to town, they find out that Lullaby hasn't deposited their check yet. So, once they finally find him, they all venture over to the bank only to discover that the bank was just robbed. Recognizing how this affects some of their friends in town, the Three Mesquiteers set off to find the outlaws who robbed the bank and return the money to its proper place. What they don't count on, however, is the fact that an old prospector named "Jake Rawlins" (Milburn Morante) has already found the money and hidden it in an old ghost town several miles away--and this creates all kinds of problems for everyone concerned. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an okay western for the most part with both Ray Corrigan and Robert Livingston putting in their usual solid performances. Likewise, having an attractive actress like Kay Hughes (as "Sabina Thornton") certainly didn't hurt either. Admittedly, I didn't especially care for the corny ventriloquist acts of Lullaby Joslin but, even so, this wasn't a bad Western by any means, and I have rated it accordingly. Average.
Crash takes on Thunderbolt O'Brien
frank41228 April 2020
Joseph Kane does well in this early "Three Mequiteers" film with Stony (Robert Livingston), Tucson (Ray 'Crash' Corrigan) and Lullaby (Max Terhune) with the introduction of dummy Elmer. Max almost loses payroll and a bank robbery sets things in fast motion. Lovely and talented Kay Hughes is the prettiest teller in the west while Burr Caruth holds the fort at the bank. Our favorite villain LeRoy Mason also has the best henchmen in Yak and Bob Kortman. Milburn Morante, Hank Worden, Wally West, Edward Peil Sr., and Earle Hodgins round out an incredible cast.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
