Director: James Hogan
Stars: John Howard, Ellen Drew, Akim Tamiroff, May Robson, Broderick Crawford, Charley Grapewin, John Miljan, Anthony Quinn
Plot: Rustlers have been stealing cattle from various Texas ranches. Cecilia Dangerfield, owner of the largest cattle ranch in the area, tries to organize the other ranchers in the fight, as well as sending for the Texas Rangers. Two rangers investigate but leave, letting two rangers, Jim Kingston and Mace Townsley investigate undercover with Kingston posing as the notorious Pecos Kid. Kingston learns that the rustlers have been stealing the cattle then butcher them for the meat and using quick lime to dispose of the remains. Kingston then has to track down the meat to discover the head of the rustling gang.
Review: Despite the big names in the cast, this film really just falls flat thanks to a disjointed screenplay which tries to give us romantic subplots with Howard & Drew as well as Robson & Grapewin. Tamiroff is wasted as comic relief but Howard & Crawford work well together as the Rangers and Quinn works well as the henchmen leader. Its a shame since a lot of the action scenes are good, except for the climax where the round-up of the crooks happens too quickly. The film was supposed to be a follow up of the 1936 Paramount The Texas Rangers but there is no connection between the two films.
Rating: 1 and 1/2 stars
