Leather Burners (1943)

Leather Burners (1943)


Plot Summary

As rustled cattle have mysteriously disappeared, Johnny (Jay Kirby) sends for his friend Hoppy, (William Boyd) Hoppy arrives and immediately suspects Dan Slack. (Victor Jory)  Realizing his telegram about Slack was intercepted, he locks up the operator Lafe (Hal Taliaferro) knowing he can escape. Tailing Lafe he finds a secret entrance to a mine and inside finds the missing cattle. But Slack's men also find him just as the cattle are stampeded through the mine shaft.

This is one of the 66(!) Hopalong Cassidy Western programmers that were made in the '30s and '40s which starred William Boyd in the titular role. These were typically Saturday Matinee kiddie fare for the most part but they're entertaining no matter how old you are. The main reason for me watching this was that I had noticed that a young Robert Mitchum has a couple scenes as one of the henchmen. He isn't seen very often but it's nice to see one of the silver screen's biggest and toughest legends slumming it out trying to make it big in Hollywood. In fact, my next classic flick will be Mitchum's 2nd ever starring role so look for that.

As far as this goes, well the script really bogs it down. There's the usual standby plot of cattle rustling but there are little plot twists and such that take away from the main story such as Hoppy deceiving his friend Johnny by working for Slack so he can find out which one of the ranchers is secretly in Slack's employ. There's also the legend surrounding the abandoned mine and the man that used to own it which does play a key role in the finale of the movie but it undercuts Victor Jory's turn as the villain Slack. Speaking of Jory, he does a very good job of being a "respected" but fiercely hated man who's pretty much out and out slimy. Jory was one of the better supporting actors of his era and he goes beyond the call of duty with a fairly ho hum character. The acting overall, is pretty good and William Boyd, like the other cowboy heroes of his ilk portrays himself in a patriarchal manner as he fights for good but at the same time shows he has a sense of humor what with having to deal with his comic sidekick California Carlson (Andy Clyde). Clyde never really jumps over the line into annoying territory like some comic sidekicks can. He's a bit slow on the uptake which allows Hoppy to seem smarter than he is but it isn't too bad. Heck, even the little kid involved in the movie isn't too bad either. I rather liked the exchange between California and him when they first meet as California tries to impress him with tricks only to be foiled every time then the kid completely baffles California with a trick of his own!

All in all this is pretty lighthearted "good guys vs bad guys" stuff. It's all done in a laidback way that to me, exemplifies the times it was made in when entertainment wasn't so dependent on explosions and whatnot to get people's attention.

This is a pleasant way to pass an hour on a rainy Saturday which is precisely what today was for me.

** stars