Mucho fun. I love Hoppy and had the full regalia as a kid: outfit, hat, and two gun holster set. And while Hoppy is in great form in this picture (except he actually wears a white hat in this epic), Earle Hodgins as the medicine owner/barker is a scene stealer. During one of his spiels exhorting his tonic he reads from letters endorsing it such as, "I used to suffer from insomnia but after only taking one bottle, I was cured and would lie there in bed thinking all night how I had suffered in the past." But this is Hoppy's film as he is the undercover government man sent in to clean up the town. Almost immediately though, the head of the outlaw gang, sweet little old Ma Burton, Marjorie Rambeau, suspects Cassidy as he "ain't no tenderfoot medicine man." And his first night in town, she grills him like a professional extracting from him the very information he wants her to have: he is ex convict 4261 just three months out of prison. But she is still suspicious, Ma Burton wasn't born yesterday. The worst break for Hoppy is that Lucky Jenkins shows up and even though Hoppy hopes to use him as a foil by passing him off as the new marshal, past familiarity lets the audience know that Lucky will spill the beans sooner or later. And he does so somewhat accidentally to Ma Burton herself. Lucky does rescue Hoppy from a burning cabin; but Hoppy wouldn't have needed the help if Lucky could just keep quiet. But all is well, Ma gets caught and accepts that her luck has run out; and Hoppy and the girl and medicine show ride off into the sunset.
8 Reviews
Part of his incognito
bkoganbing24 November 2016
In Santa Fe Marshal Bill Boyd is on a mission to round up a notorious gang operating in the Santa Fe area with an appointment as US Marshal on a temporary basis. The law and the title character of the film is played by future cowboy hero star Eddie Dean and he's up against it. After all who would dream that the brains of the outlaw gang is sweet little old lady Marjorie Rambeau.
Even though Hoppy is flying solo in this, Lucky Jenkins leaves the Bar 20 to help him anyway. Russell Hayden's rambunctiousness nearly wrecks Hoppy's undercover, but Boyd finds use for him.
One should see Santa Fe Marshal for Marjorie Rambeau, she gives one great performance here. And as always Earl Hodgins who did more westerns than there were pepper grains in my coleslaw last night is always good. Here Hodgins plays a less than honest but likable medicine show impresario. Hoppy also uses them for a cover as well.
Hoppy did not have his usual black outfit with his two six guns. Instead he's in suit with gun in shoulder holster. Part of his incognito. But he's still Hopalong Cassidy gallant knight of the frontier.
Even though Hoppy is flying solo in this, Lucky Jenkins leaves the Bar 20 to help him anyway. Russell Hayden's rambunctiousness nearly wrecks Hoppy's undercover, but Boyd finds use for him.
One should see Santa Fe Marshal for Marjorie Rambeau, she gives one great performance here. And as always Earl Hodgins who did more westerns than there were pepper grains in my coleslaw last night is always good. Here Hodgins plays a less than honest but likable medicine show impresario. Hoppy also uses them for a cover as well.
Hoppy did not have his usual black outfit with his two six guns. Instead he's in suit with gun in shoulder holster. Part of his incognito. But he's still Hopalong Cassidy gallant knight of the frontier.
"Me play a guitar?! This is one cowboy who never played a guitar and never will!"
planktonrules7 August 2020
In the late 1940s and early 50s, many old series B-westerns were chopped to pieces in order to fit them into one hour time slots on TV. Unfortunately, in some cases, the original longer versions were lost. Fortunately, in the case of Hopalong Cassidy's film, the original excised footage was saved and recently restored. Fortunately, the copy of "Law of the Pampas" that I just saw on YouTube is one of the restored ones...running at 71 minutes instead of the much shorter 54 minutes.
When the story begins, a town out west is being terrorized by criminals. The local sheriff is ineffective in stopping them and soon you learn why...he doesn't realize that his own mother, the sweet Ma Burton, is the gang leader! Because of all the crime, a US Marshall is being sent there from Santa Fe...and that Marshall is Hoppy. But he doesn't want to arrive in town as a lawman....and instead poses as a member of a traveling medicine show. To help Hoppy is Lucky...who, once again, is often more a hindrance than a help! In fact, in most of the films I've seen with Lucky, he's been anything but lucky for Hoppy! A better nickname might be 'Blabber-mouth'!
This B-western is a bit better than average because I really loved the villain--Ma was very intelligently written and well acted by Marjorie Rambeau. Well worth seeing.
When the story begins, a town out west is being terrorized by criminals. The local sheriff is ineffective in stopping them and soon you learn why...he doesn't realize that his own mother, the sweet Ma Burton, is the gang leader! Because of all the crime, a US Marshall is being sent there from Santa Fe...and that Marshall is Hoppy. But he doesn't want to arrive in town as a lawman....and instead poses as a member of a traveling medicine show. To help Hoppy is Lucky...who, once again, is often more a hindrance than a help! In fact, in most of the films I've seen with Lucky, he's been anything but lucky for Hoppy! A better nickname might be 'Blabber-mouth'!
This B-western is a bit better than average because I really loved the villain--Ma was very intelligently written and well acted by Marjorie Rambeau. Well worth seeing.
Mediocre, With Novel Touches
dougdoepke22 December 2018
Looks like the producers were aiming for a change of pace in the series-- Hoppy without his usual black attire, no Gabby, while guess who gets the girl, and maybe most unusual, it's everybody's grandmother who's the chief bad guy. Then too the story takes place mainly in town with very little scenery, no fisticuffs and only a last minute shoot-out. The plot's nothing special, bad guys stealing silver bars, while both Hoppy and Lucky are undercover and on their trail.
Nonetheless, actress Rambeau makes a convincing 60-year old master-mind (note how softly the script deals with her despite her criminal ways). Then there's the familiar Hodgins doing his fast-talking con-man, that furnishes some comedy relief. And in case you were wondering, we get a chance to see how flat tires are changed 1890's style. Anyway, it adds up to a mediocre entry with some noticeably different touches.
Nonetheless, actress Rambeau makes a convincing 60-year old master-mind (note how softly the script deals with her despite her criminal ways). Then there's the familiar Hodgins doing his fast-talking con-man, that furnishes some comedy relief. And in case you were wondering, we get a chance to see how flat tires are changed 1890's style. Anyway, it adds up to a mediocre entry with some noticeably different touches.
One for Bernadine Hayes fans!
JohnHowardReid6 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
SYNOPSIS: When Gardner's mine payroll is stolen by outlaws, he demands action of the town marshal in bringing the outlaws to justice. His threat to ask help from the Santa Fe marshal disturbs Blake, Flint and Tex, outlaws bossed by Ma Burton who have perpetrated the crime, but she re-assures them.
Hopalong Cassidy, sent to help Gardner, tells him he'll do his best to bring in the outlaws and protect £15,000 in silver bullion which Gardner has at the mine. On his way to Del Oro, Hopalong meets Doc Bates, proprietor of a medicine show, his daughter, Paula, and his helper, Axel.
NOTES: With Lone Pine and Kernville battling each other for supremacy as locations for motion pictures made out of doors, Harry Sherman left both holding the bag when he filmed Santa Fe Marshal at a new location. In place of the older locations where he has made so many of the series, Sherman chose Keen Camp, high in the San Jacinto mountains, for his location.
COMMENT: Good to see the delightful Bernadene Hayes as the heroine of this entry, making a great contrast to that fine character actress, Marjorie Rambeau, who plays the villainess. We also like the plot of this one, which is unusual in that it introduces a medicine show. The show is good, but unfortunately Earle Hodgins is allowed to deliver his spiel in one long take that runs well over three minutes, which is far too long! However, at least Hoppy does not have one of his usual comic sidekicks. There is the usual amount of action in the final reel, but Russell Harlan's camerawork is not to the fore in this one.
Hopalong Cassidy, sent to help Gardner, tells him he'll do his best to bring in the outlaws and protect £15,000 in silver bullion which Gardner has at the mine. On his way to Del Oro, Hopalong meets Doc Bates, proprietor of a medicine show, his daughter, Paula, and his helper, Axel.
NOTES: With Lone Pine and Kernville battling each other for supremacy as locations for motion pictures made out of doors, Harry Sherman left both holding the bag when he filmed Santa Fe Marshal at a new location. In place of the older locations where he has made so many of the series, Sherman chose Keen Camp, high in the San Jacinto mountains, for his location.
COMMENT: Good to see the delightful Bernadene Hayes as the heroine of this entry, making a great contrast to that fine character actress, Marjorie Rambeau, who plays the villainess. We also like the plot of this one, which is unusual in that it introduces a medicine show. The show is good, but unfortunately Earle Hodgins is allowed to deliver his spiel in one long take that runs well over three minutes, which is far too long! However, at least Hoppy does not have one of his usual comic sidekicks. There is the usual amount of action in the final reel, but Russell Harlan's camerawork is not to the fore in this one.
Hoppy Gives a Piece of His Mind!
bsmith555224 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"Santa Fe Marshal" was an unusual entry in the Hopalong Cassidy series in that star William Boyd is not seen in his traditional all black outfit throughout the entire movie.
A series of payroll robberies have been occurring in a dusty old town involving a silver mine owned by John Gardner ((Jack Rockwell). Gardner is not satisfied with the Town Marshal's (Eddie Dean) efforts to catch the crooks. He decides to send for a marshal from Santa Fe. Guess who?
Hoppy (William Boyd) is coming to town dressed in his best Sunday go to meetin' clothes. On the way he runs into a medicine show wagon that has lost a wheel. He stops to help. The owner is a blustery fast talking con man Doc Tate (Earle Hodgins) and his feisty daughter Paula (Bernadine Hayes). Hoppy sees an opportunity to work undercover as a member of the travelling show as a mind reader called, now get this, Marvello.
At the evening performance where "Marvello" is reading minds, a brawl breaks out and the wagon damaged. Kindly old grandmotherly Ma Burton (Marjorie Rambeau) invites the company to stay at her home while the wagon is repaired. Ma it turns out, is the brains behind the bandits and is suspicious of "Bill Cassidy". Cassidy is also suspicious of Ma and her men Blake (Kenneth Harlan), Flint (William Pagan) and Tex Barnes (George Anderson).
Hoppy plans to set a trap for the outlaws. Together with Gardner, they plan to lure Ma and her boys into stealing a cache of silver from Gardner's mine. Unfortunately, Lucky, who has been acting as the marshal in Hoppy's place, blows Hoppy's cover by disclosing his real identity to Ma.
Ma and her men overpower Hoppy, Gardner and a guard, tie them up and set Gardner's shack on fire. Luckily, Lucky is nearby and rescues them in the nick of time. Hoppy apprehends Ma and Flint as they are unloading the silver at Ma's house. Blake and Barnes flee to Barnes' ranch but Hoppy and the miners head there as well. They capture Barnes men, However Barnes and Blake have taken over the medicine wagon and locked Doc, Paula and Axel (Brit Wood) their driver inside. They flee and Hoppy pursues them and.......................
Rambeau makes an unusual villain as the kindly old grandma. Her capture though is a little anti climatic with little on no resistance. Boyd seemed to enjoy stepping out of character and donning a disguise. There is no third member of the trio since a replacement for George"Windy"Halliday had not yet been found. Hodgins who made several appearances in the series an Brit wood provide what little comedy relief there is. And.........guess who gets the girl?
A series of payroll robberies have been occurring in a dusty old town involving a silver mine owned by John Gardner ((Jack Rockwell). Gardner is not satisfied with the Town Marshal's (Eddie Dean) efforts to catch the crooks. He decides to send for a marshal from Santa Fe. Guess who?
Hoppy (William Boyd) is coming to town dressed in his best Sunday go to meetin' clothes. On the way he runs into a medicine show wagon that has lost a wheel. He stops to help. The owner is a blustery fast talking con man Doc Tate (Earle Hodgins) and his feisty daughter Paula (Bernadine Hayes). Hoppy sees an opportunity to work undercover as a member of the travelling show as a mind reader called, now get this, Marvello.
At the evening performance where "Marvello" is reading minds, a brawl breaks out and the wagon damaged. Kindly old grandmotherly Ma Burton (Marjorie Rambeau) invites the company to stay at her home while the wagon is repaired. Ma it turns out, is the brains behind the bandits and is suspicious of "Bill Cassidy". Cassidy is also suspicious of Ma and her men Blake (Kenneth Harlan), Flint (William Pagan) and Tex Barnes (George Anderson).
Hoppy plans to set a trap for the outlaws. Together with Gardner, they plan to lure Ma and her boys into stealing a cache of silver from Gardner's mine. Unfortunately, Lucky, who has been acting as the marshal in Hoppy's place, blows Hoppy's cover by disclosing his real identity to Ma.
Ma and her men overpower Hoppy, Gardner and a guard, tie them up and set Gardner's shack on fire. Luckily, Lucky is nearby and rescues them in the nick of time. Hoppy apprehends Ma and Flint as they are unloading the silver at Ma's house. Blake and Barnes flee to Barnes' ranch but Hoppy and the miners head there as well. They capture Barnes men, However Barnes and Blake have taken over the medicine wagon and locked Doc, Paula and Axel (Brit Wood) their driver inside. They flee and Hoppy pursues them and.......................
Rambeau makes an unusual villain as the kindly old grandma. Her capture though is a little anti climatic with little on no resistance. Boyd seemed to enjoy stepping out of character and donning a disguise. There is no third member of the trio since a replacement for George"Windy"Halliday had not yet been found. Hodgins who made several appearances in the series an Brit wood provide what little comedy relief there is. And.........guess who gets the girl?
Rambeau, Hoppy, Hodgins and Hayes in top form
hines-200026 July 2022
The mayhem begins when the west's favorite sheriff Jack Rockwell confronts the best singing cowboy Eddie Dean (playing the town marshal) about his dismal job performance. To his rescue comes a very theatrical Marjorie Rambeau as Ma Burton. To the town's rescue is an undercover (William Boyd). To our delight, Hoppy is sidetracked by the best snake-oil salesman Earl Hodgins and song and dance star Bernadene Hayes. To add to the excitement is rustic hayseed comic relief from Britt Wood as Axel. Henchman Blake (Kenneth Harlan) would like to eliminate Hoppy but Ma wants to use him for a hold up. It's double trouble when Lucky (Russell Hayden) makes it to town and could inadvertently blow Hoppy's cover. Does Ma and Tex's gang have him dead to rights? Santa Fe has great acting and building suspense but its' strength is in the comic relief. Some great scenes especially when Hoppy masquerades as a mind reader and Hodgins selling the Zerbo Indian Remedy.
Another likeable Hopalong film
dukemantee11 December 2000
William Boyd's Hopalong Cassidy embodied simple American righteousness, despite his black attire. With Lucky, Windy (Gabby Hayes), or later California, he defended frontier justice. However, I'm not sure of the time period ; sometimes the setting seemed modern, others are more traditionally old western. In "Santa Fe Marshal", Hopy goes undercover as he once did in "Borderland". He must discover who is behind a series of robberies. Ingratiating himself to a traveling medicine show, Cassidy becomes the band's mysterious mindreader. One doesn't need to be psychic to know the outcome of this formalistic sagebrush saga. Nevertheless, it is Boyd's screen charisma that makes this film, as well as others in the series, enjoyable. I recommend the first film "Hopalong Cassidy Enters" and "Wide Open Town". Also, the early John Wayne ( who displays comparable mannerisms to Boyd or vice versa depending on your opinion) vehicle "Dawn Riders" is a modest western. 2 out of 4 stars.
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