The Bandit Trail (1941)

Rancher Tom Haggerty is killed trying to stop a gun battle between his hot-headed brother Red and the sheriff, who is trying to repossess Haggerty's ranch for defaulting on a bank loan. ... See full summary »

Director:

Edward Killy

Writers:

Arthur T. Horman (story), Norton S. Parker (screenplay)

Stars:

Tim Holt, Ray Whitley, Janet Waldo

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tim Holt	...	Steve Haggerty
Ray Whitley	...	Smokey
Janet Waldo	...	Ellen Grant
Lee 'Lasses' White	...	Whopper
Morris Ankrum	...	Red Haggerty
Roy Barcroft	...	Joel Nesbitt
Jack Holmes	...	Sheriff Saunders (as J. Merrill Holmes)
Eddy Waller	...	Tom Haggerty (as Eddie Waller)
Glenn Strange	...	Idaho
Frank Ellis	...	Al
Joseph Eggenton	...	Andrew Grant
Guy Usher	...	Mayor Blake
Jack Clifford	...	Kurt Halliday
Bud Osborne	...	Tiny

Storyline

Rancher Tom Haggerty is killed trying to stop a gun battle between his hot-headed brother Red and the sheriff, who is trying to repossess Haggerty's ranch for defaulting on a bank loan. After Tom's son Steve learns of his father's death, he is reluctantly persuaded by his Uncle Red to help rob the local bank. While waiting to hit another bank in the next town, Steve becomes town marshal to get inside information on the town's dealings, but soon takes his job to heart when he falls in love with Ellen, the banker's daughter. His honor is put on the line when he must face not only the guns of the local saloon-keeper's gang, but the wrath of his uncle when he finds out his nephew has betrayed him.

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Plot Keywords:

gang | rancher | banker | brother | ranch | 

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Taglines:

WHAT A SPOT FOR A GRAND HAUL! - MARSHAL OF A TOWN THAT DOESN'T KNOW HE'S A NOTORIOUS BANK ROBBER! (original ad)

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Music | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Outlaw Trail

Filming Locations:

Burro Flats, Simi Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In addition to the many westerns he appeared in, co-star Morris Ankrum has the unique distinction of having appeared in more 1950s science fiction movies than any other actor. Mr. Ankrum's career accomplishments in the field of 1950s science fiction include: Beginning of the End, The Brain from Planet Arous, Earth Versus the Flying Saucers, Flight to Mars, From the Earth to the Moon, The Giant Claw, Giant From the Unknown, Half-Human, How to Make a Monster, Invaders From Mars, Kronos, The Most Dangerous Man Alive, Red Planet Mars, Rocketship X-M, and Zombies of Mora Tau - at total of 15 movies.

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Soundtracks

"On the Outlaw Trail"
Written by Ray Whitley and Fred Rose
Performed by Ray Whitley and his Band

User Reviews

Solid Western

If you are a western fan, be sure to see this one. It has a good story, is well-directed at a good pace. At this point in his career, Tim Holt had charisma and was a perfect choice for western movies. He is into what he is doing here and doesn't appear to approach this as just another formula production to be cranked out (sometimes later in his career he approached his endless series of western roles in a formula manner).

Roy Barcroft is fine of course as a rotten businessman. Versatile movie veteran Morris Ankrum is excellent as Holt's uncle "Red", who keeps applying the tension to an underlying storyline throughout the entire movie. In fact the whole movie is better written and more layered than you might expect for an ordinary B western of this era.

Perfect casting of female lead, sidekick, the Sheriffs, and all characters contribute to this watchable, solidly made yarn.