Riders of the Rio Grande

Republic release of Louis Gray production. Directed by Howard Bretherton. Original screenplay by Albert De Mnd. Photography Ernest Miller; editor Charles Craft; musical score Mort Glickman. Completed March 1943. Running time 58 minutes.

The Three Mesquiteers come up with another of their actioneers that makes little sense in story but more than makes up for that with sets of six fists and three guns that never stop banging and barking from start to fade. It should have no trouble with the fanning-gun fans as a stablemate on the double-barreled blood and thunder bills.

As completely unbelievable as any, it hardly gives even those inclined to think time to cogitate, being literally peppered with chases, gun duels and slug fests. The latter particularly, will delight because of deft timing that lends some note of reality.

Unlike some of the trio's preceding efforts it contains little music. But one ditty included, a blues rondelay, is definitely part of the patterns and not just a tune slugged in with a gun. It's brief, like the picture, and good in its place for placing.

Fantastic tale has to do with a town banker-mayor who, in an effort to straighten out his son's gambling debts to an outlaw, tries to have himself rubbed out by hired killers so the boy can save himself and the bank through the old man's real estate.

But it's not that easy because the killers are serious, some other with different angles are as intent and the Mesquiteers complicate it further by frustrating everybody in the interest of good.

Comes the showdown, of course, and as usual, all hands are happily saved, except the killers and the would-be's. The stolen money is all recovered, the bank gets saved, faces smile again and nobody gets the girl. Latter would be a new ending and possibly end the series.

Acting of Lorraine Miller is better than average , considering her lines. Technically, too, it's all system western--and good as such.

Bang-up western fare results from routing the Three Mesquiteers on a new plot trail. The Louis Gray production mixes fast action of the usual sort with a story that gives purpose to all of that riding, shooting and fighting. It seems that a banker in Canyon City is in such financial difficulties that the only way he sees out is to transfer a trust fund to the bank, then get himself killed. He tries to hire a trio of badmen, known as the Cherokees, to perform the killing, but mistakes the Three Mesquiteers for the Cherokees. What they do for the banker by solving his problems makes him want to live.

The affair moves along at a good pace under Howard Bretherton's direction. Bob Steele, Tom Tyler and Jimmie Dodd perform their accustomed chores as Tucson, Stony and Lullaby. Edward Van Sloan is capable as the banker, and the interesting Rick Vallin plays his son. Lorraine Miller is attractive as the daughter, but since when have young girls been allowed to ride with posses? Howard Worth is the heavy in he piece and is often guilty of slinking too obviously.

Marksmanship shows no improvement as to the Mesquiteers' shooting in ‘Riders of the Rio Grande'. Photography by Ernest Miller. With the exception of over-black night shots, is up to par.

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