Greetings to all of you fans of the western movie and dime novel genre. I see that the snow has given way to more sunshine and warming temperatures. Crocus plants are peeking out from under the dry horse and cow manure around the corals and outbuildings. That signals the beginning of spring. I hope all hands are healthy and robust and able to prepare for the spring round ups and fence mending chores that come with spring. But before we saddle up and head out for the open range, let's all plan on attending the SR&PC's final Cowboy Movie Night of the year.
The club's final showing of the year will be Wednesday evening, April 7th at the club house. Shows will begin at 6:30 PM. I said, "shows" because this last get together will feature two movies or, as they say, a double feature.
The first movie will be "Code of the West," a 1947 black and white oater based on a Zane Grey novel of the same name. The plot is familiar. Boyd Carter, saloon owner. knows the railroad is coming and is after land owned by the surrounding ranchers. He intends to get the land either by buying it or intimidating the ranchers with violence. Hero, Bob Wade and sidekick, Chito, return just in time to save new banker, Harry Stockton, and his daughter, Ruth, from Carter's henchmen. Bob Wade's ranch is also targeted by Carter's henchmen as he works to expose the corrupt sheriff and Boyd. Raymond Burr, who at the time was just breaking into acting, is barely a footnote in the credits. He exhibits his early talents as Boyd Carter, bad guy.
Movie stars, James Warren, Debra Allen, John Lawrence, Steve Brodie, Rita Lynn and Raymond Burr. Run time is 57 minutes.
The second feature will be "Rustler's Rhapsody." This 1985 release runs 88 minutes. It was written and directed by Hugh Williams. Stars in the movie are Tom Berringer, G.W. Baily, Marilue Henner, Andy Griffith, and Fernando Rey.
The plot follows singing cowboy, Rex O'Herlihan, as he makes a transition from a black and white horse opera into a modern technicolor spoof of the Saturday morning cowboy hero who always shoots the gun out of the bad guy's hand. This delightful romp through Saturday morning cowboy cliches should entertain most fans of the Saturday morning westerns or cowboy matinees of the early l950's.
Please plan to join us Wednesday evening.
Scipio Sam AKA Mike