Dead Man's Trail (1952) User Reviews

One for serial lovers!

[JohnHowardReid · 7/10 · 8 April 2018]

Copyright 22 June 1952 by Monogram Pictures Corp. No New York opening. U.S. release: 20 July 1952. U.K. release through associated British-Pathé: March 1955 (sic). Never theatrically released in Australia. 5,286 feet. 58 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: When an escaped convict is killed by former gangster associates, his brother helps a Texas Ranger.

NOTES: A "B" western that will interest not only the usual run of oater fans but will especially capture the attention of serial devotees as well, since writer Joseph F. Poland worked on every Republic serial from King of the Royal Mounted all the way through to The Purple Monster Strikes. I imagine there's a fortune to be made from this little western at serial conventions alone, so I'm amazed no enterprising distributor has bought up the rights.

COMMENT: Johnny Mack Brown turns sleuth for this whodunit western. Gunplay takes second place to some neat detection when he trails an escaped convict to find the secret hiding place of his loot.

It's a modest, juvenile-styled adventure, with Brown making an excellent heavyweight hero. The picture also boasts something new in heroines in Barbara Allen, a fragile old lady, who would charm a herd of buffalo.

Johnny Mack Brown tracks down the $$$$$

[revdrcac · 5/10 · 27 October 2006]

Former gridiron star Johnny Mack Brown had a career in the B-westerns that spanned from the 1930's thru the 1950's and beyond. In this standard outing, Brown is sent by his superiors to track down some missing loot, to return it to those on the right side of the law. The plot and scripting are standard here, but Brown is always enjoyable in his western performances. He was older here, but still formidable.

Co-starring with Brown is James "Shamrock" Ellison of Hopalong Cassidy fame. Ellision is best-remembered as the sidekick to Hoppy in many 1930's westerns. Ellison never really made it to the top as a lead player, but he does a good job in this supporting role.

This is an average western programmer from an above-average cowboy legend......... Enjoy !