Outlaw of the Plains is a classic western movie from 1946 that stars Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, and Patti McCarty. The film is directed by Sam Newfield and produced by Sigmund Neufeld. The movie was made during the golden age of westerns and features all the elements that make the genre so popular. The story is set in the American West during the 19th century, a time when lawlessness and violence were rampant, and the only form of justice was often the gun.
Buster Crabbe plays a cowboy named Billy Carson, who is on the run from the law after being falsely accused of a crime. He seeks refuge in a small town called Mesa City, where he meets a beautiful young woman named Anita, played by Patti McCarty. Anita is running the local newspaper and is trying to expose the town's corrupt sheriff, played by Charles King, who is in cahoots with a gang of outlaws led by the notorious Black Bart, played by Bud Osborne.
Billy decides to stay in Mesa City and help Anita expose the corrupt sheriff and his gang. He is joined by his trusty sidekick Fuzzy, played by Al St. John, who provides comic relief throughout the film. Together, they devise a plan to trick the gang into revealing their true intentions and bring them to justice.
Outlaw of the Plains is a classic western movie that features all the familiar elements of the genre. There are shootouts, horse chases, fistfights, and a showdown between the hero and the villain. The film's pacing is just right, with enough action to keep the audience engaged, but also enough quiet moments to develop the characters and their relationships.
Buster Crabbe delivers a solid performance as the hero, Billy Carson. He has all the qualities that make a good cowboy â he's honest, brave, and always ready to help those in need. Patti McCarty also does a great job as Anita. She's not just a damsel in distress, but a strong and independent woman who is determined to make a difference in her community.
Al St. John provides the comic relief in the film, and he does it very well. His character, Fuzzy, is a lovable goofball who always seems to get into trouble. He's the perfect sidekick for Billy, and their friendship is one of the highlights of the movie.
The villains in the film are also well-cast. Charles King is a convincing corrupt sheriff, and Bud Osborne is suitably menacing as Black Bart. The rest of the gang members are also memorable, with their distinctive personalities and costumes.
The movie's production values are typical of the time. The sets are basic and sparse, but they are effective in creating a sense of the Wild West. The cinematography is also good, with some nice shots of the landscape and action scenes.
Overall, Outlaw of the Plains is an entertaining and enjoyable western movie. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a solid example of the genre, with a good story, strong performances, and plenty of action. It's worth watching for anyone who enjoys classic westerns and wants to see Buster Crabbe in action.
Outlaw of the Plains is a 1946 western with a runtime of 53 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.