HOPALONG CASSIDY Triple Feature RUSTLER’S VALLEY, DANGEROUS VENTURE, GUNS ACROSS THE BORDER! AWOW

This Western Movie Triple feature is a special treat for movie fans. The Hopalong Cassidy movies starring William Boyd as Hoppy are one of the most popular and successful of all western series. And…one of the best! This special Hopalong Cassidy triple feature includes the 1937 movie RUSTLER’S VALLEY that features the top trio of Boyd as Hoppy, George “Gabby” Hayes as “Windy,” and Russell Hayden as “Lucky.” Ten years later, Boyd had taken control and ownership of the character and produced 1947’s DANGEROUS VENTURE. It was filmed in Lone Pine, California, and re-edited to 30 minutes for TV broadcast. We are also presenting the very first original Hopalong Cassidy TV series episode ever produced, “Guns Across the Border,” with Edgar Buchanan as sidekick Red Connors. The Hopalong Cassidy westerns are among the very best B westerns ever made and these three are presented on this special edition of WORD’S WAYBACK. Beginning in 1935, the long running western series all starred former silent movie leading man William Boyd as Hoppy. Boyd’s birthday was June 5, 1895. Long after he’d retired, William Boyd happened to be in a bar in NY when a young fan approached him about doing an interview with him on his late night talk show. That fan was Johnny Carson. He’d seen the distinguished white haired gentleman and recognized him at once. Carson had wanted to book Boyd and Gabby Hayes as guests. Boyd, feeling that he’d disappoint his fans seeing him at this stage of his life, refused the offer. It was the mid-1960s and Boyd died in 1972 at the age of 77. The Hopalong Cassidy films always featured Hoppy’s two saddle pals, a young lovelorn sidekick and a grizzled old timer, rounding out a trio of hard riding heroes. The favorite trio comprised of Boyd, Russell Hayden as “Lucky” and George Hayes as “Windy.” Hayes, of course, became “Gabby” after he left the series for more money as Roy Rogers’ favorite sidekick. Russell Hayden, born Hayden Lucid, had been a film cutter and assistant cameraman, who changed his name to honor his friend, cameraman, Russell Harlan, who happened to film many of the Hoppy westerns. Hayden appeared as “Lucky” in 27 of the 66 Hopalong Cassidy films. There was always a wonderful cast of supporting players in these films and RUSTLER’S VALLEY from 1937 does not disappoint. Morris Ankrum is a good guy, and his daughter is played by Muriel Evans. Lee J. Cobb, long before he starred on THE VIRGINIAN and on stage in DEATH OF A SALESMAN, using the stage name Lee Colt, is a nefarious banker. RUSTLER’S VALLEY begins with an exciting chase…on horseback, of course. A posse is after Lucky who manages to avoid getting caught by leaping his horse off of a dangerous cliff. Like most Hoppy films, there’s an exciting climax at the end of the film, which, unlike many of the Hopalong Cassidy locations, was film in the beautiful area of Kernville, not Lone Pine, CA. When producer Harry “Pop” Sherman tired of the Hopalong Cassidy films, William Boyd wanted to continue making them. With his fifth wife, Grace, he mortgaged their ranch and purchased the rights, including merchandising the character and something new, television rights. Boyd Productions made an additional 12 B-westerns with Rand Brooks cast as “Lucky” and Andy Clyde as “California Carlson.” When Boyd licensed one of the features to local Los Angeles TV station, KTLA, the film was a hit, and more movies were licensed. NBC took notice and ordered a new TV series of half hour westerns for their NBC affiliates. Hence, THE HOPALONG CASSIDY TV show, which premiered in September 1952. To fill out the contract, Boyd took the final 12 features, edited them down to half hours and included them as TV episodes. If you enjoyed this episode of A WORD ON WESTERNS, please Subscribe, Like, Share and leave us a comment. Our AWOW and WORD’S WAYBACK episodes spotlight little known film history, favorite movies, TV shows and stars. Thanks again for watching our shows. We appreciate your support and Patreon Posse membership.   / awow   #westernmovie #freemovie #freewestern #actionmovie #triplefeature #hoppy #hopalongcassidy #classic #cowboy #moviehero #hollywood #tvseries #tvwestern #awordonwesterns #filmhistory #classicwestern #blackandwhite #1930s #williamboyd #gabby #gabbyhayes #sidekick #robword #goldenage #hero #movieproducer #tvshow #bestwestern #fullmovies #fullwesternmovie