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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Hopalong Cassidy Series ... Mystery Man (1944) ... United Artists", October 29, 2006
United Artists Pictures presents "MYSTERY MAN" (31 May 1944) (58 mins/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- One of the most outstanding series of westerns began in 1935 from Paramount Pictures "Hopalong Cassidy", under the guiding hand of producer Harry "Pop" Sherman --- continued well into the '40s proved to be the most successful 'B' Westerns ever made --- based on Clarence E. Mulford's stories, they strived in changing Cassidy's image, which was both original and influential --- the hero, played by William Lawrence Boyd, was mature and a man of his word --- the plots were solid with a sudden burst of climactic action in the last reel, usually a frantic chase backed by tension building music.
Under the production staff of:
George Archainbaud - Director
Harry Sherman - Producer
J. Benton Cheney - Screenwriter
Russell Harlan - Cinematographer
Irvin Talbot - Musical Direction/Supervision / Composer (Music Score)
Fred W. Berger - Editor
Our story line and plot, Hoppy does battle with the Trilling Gang...jail break, rustling cattle and outlaw leader posing as a Marshal keeps the Bar 20 in plenty of action --- No one stays put in Mystery Man --- As soon as there is enough action in the first town, the story moves on to the cattle drive --- During the cattle drive there is one musical performance which is rare in a Hopalong Cassidy movie, but it fits the scene well --- Events along the way keep the story interesting then move to the last destination --- The action moves from one city to the next as Hoppy drives a herd of Bar 20 cattle to its destination --- the story as it moves steadily toward its climax.
the cast includes
William Boyd ... 'Hopalong' Cassidy
Andy Clyde ... 'California' Carlson
Jimmy Rogers ... Jimmy Rogers
Don Costello ... Bud Trilling
Eleanor Stewart ... Diane Newhall
Francis McDonald ... Henchman Bert Rogan
Forrest Taylor ... Sheriff Sam Newhall
Jack Rockwell ... Marshal Ted Blane
John Merton ... Henchman Bill
Pierce Lyden ... Henchman Red
Bob Burns ... Tom Hanlon
Ozie Waters ... Tex (Singing Bar 20 Cowhand)
Bob Baker ... Bar 20 Cowhand
Hank Bell ... Deputy Ed
Herman Hack ... Henchman
Bill Hunter ... Henchman Joe
Lew Meehan ... Deputy
Art Mix ... Bank robber
BIOS:
1. William Boyd
Date of Birth: 5 June 1895 - Hendrysburg, Ohio
Date of Death: 12 September 1972 - Laguna Beach, California
2. Andy Clyde
Date of Birth: 25 March 1892 - Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland, UK
Date of Death: 18 May 1967 - Los Angeles, California
3. Jimmy Rogers
Date of Birth: 25 July 1915 - New York, New York
Date of Death: 28 April 2000 - Bakersfield, California
Hoppy's interaction with California Carlson (Andy Clyde) is always a shot in the arm with his down-to-earth humor and sentimentality, theses scenes are pure Americana! Boyd, with his silver hair, black clothes and white horse (Topper) rode into our lives and we've never been the same since --- your children and grandchildren will enjoy this clean wholesome entertainment --- Hoppy always wore two silver white handle six shooters, never drank or smoked, when the good guys always won and the moral to the story was fair-play -- outstanding role model.
Hats off and thanks to Les Adams (collector/guideslines for character identification), Chuck Anderson (Webmaster: The Old Corral/B-Westerns.Com), Boyd Magers (Western Clippings), Bobby J. Copeland (author of "Trail Talk"), Rhonda Lemons (Empire Publishing Inc) and Bob Nareau (author of "The Real Bob Steele") as they have rekindled my interest once again for B-Westerns and Serials --- If you're into the memories of B-Westerns with high drama, this is the one you've been anxiously waiting for --- please stand up and take a bow --- all my heroes have been cowboys!
Total Time: 58 min on VHS/DVD ~ United Artists Pictures ~ (12/01/1998)
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