Watch Billy the Kid's Round-up

Billy the Kid's Round-up is a 1941 American Western film, directed by Sam Newfield and starring Buster Crabbe as Billy the Kid, Al St. John as his sidekick Fuzzy Jones, and Carleton Young as the main antagonist, Jack Saunders. The movie opens with Billy and Fuzzy getting caught up in a dangerous situation when a young woman, Betty, comes running towards them, chased by two men on horseback. The two men turn out to be Saunders and his henchman, who are after Betty's father. Billy and Fuzzy decide to help the girl and head to her father's ranch, where they meet him and find out that he has recently discovered gold on his land, which has made him the target of criminals.

As expected, Saunders and his gang are after the gold and they won't stop at anything to get it. Billy and Fuzzy must protect Betty's father and his gold, but it's not going to be an easy task. They are constantly outnumbered, and Saunders is not afraid to use any means necessary to get what he wants. This includes kidnapping, torture, and murder. Billy and Fuzzy must use all their wit and skill to outsmart Saunders and his men.

The plot is pretty straightforward, and there are no major surprises in terms of the storyline. However, the film's charm comes from the chemistry between the two leads. Buster Crabbe and Al St. John have a great dynamic on screen, resulting in some hilarious moments. St. John, in particular, steals the show with his comedic timing and witty one-liners.

The movie also features some impressive stunts, most notably a chase scene where Billy and Fuzzy are pursued by a group of men on horseback. Crabbe, who was a former Olympic swimmer, performs most of his own stunts, and it's clear that he was in excellent physical shape at the time of filming.

The supporting cast is also well-chosen, with Carleton Young delivering a convincing performance as the villainous Saunders. The actress who plays Betty, Anne Jeffreys, is also worth mentioning. Her character initially comes off as a damsel in distress, but she quickly proves to be a tough, resourceful, and independent woman.

The film's visuals are also noteworthy, particularly the scenic shots of the New Mexico landscape. The cinematography is top-notch, with the director making excellent use of different locations. There's a particularly beautiful shot of Billy and Fuzzy riding their horses through a field of flowers, with the sun setting in the background.

One thing that stands out about Billy the Kid's Round-up is its pacing. The film moves at a brisk pace, with no dull moments. Every scene advances the plot, and there are no unnecessary subplots or characters. At just over an hour, the film is the perfect length for a familiar, formulaic Western.

Overall, Billy the Kid's Round-up is a fun, entertaining, and well-made Western. It's not groundbreaking or particularly original, but it's a great example of its genre. Its charm lies in its simplicity and the chemistry between its two leads. Fans of Buster Crabbe or classic Westerns in general will definitely enjoy this one.

Billy the Kid's Round-up is a 1941 western with a runtime of 54 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.