I loved Red Ryder when I was a tyke. Read the comic books every chance I got. I've not seen these films, though. Is it played pretty straight or tongue-in-cheek?
Not sure I've seen Allan Lane as Red. Thought Bill Elliott was OK, though. Don't recall more than the average humor. My guess is that Bobby Blake would be less amusing than the average funny sidekick.
I've seen B Westerns with "Wild Bill" Elliot and "Rocky" Lane, but I've never seen a Red Ryder movie. Today, the character seems to be remembered more for the BB gun than the comic strip or the movies.
I've seen "Stagecoach to Denver," "Rustlers of Devil's Canyon," and "Vigilantes of Boom Town" on YouTube. They were fairly typical 1940's "B" Westerns. They were played straight. Besides Bobby Blake as Little Beaver, there was a Gabby Hayes/Fuzzy St. John-type "old coot" sidekick, called "Blizzard" or "Breezy," or something similar, and he provided the usual comedy relief.
Thanks again for the great posters. Rocky Lane and Bobby Blake were the right combination. Don Barry wasn't as convincing for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Evan. I never saw one of these films but I know they were big for my dad. He spoke of them fondly.
ReplyDeleteNot even Wild Bill Elliot could fill Rocky's shoes.
ReplyDeleteI loved Red Ryder when I was a tyke. Read the comic books every chance I got. I've not seen these films, though. Is it played pretty straight or tongue-in-cheek?
ReplyDeleteNot sure I've seen Allan Lane as Red. Thought Bill Elliott was OK, though. Don't recall more than the average humor. My guess is that Bobby Blake would be less amusing than the average funny sidekick.
ReplyDeleteThey used to run the Wild Bill Elliot versions on TV when I was young. I liked them, but never saw any other actor in the role.
ReplyDeleteI've seen B Westerns with "Wild Bill" Elliot and "Rocky" Lane, but I've never seen a Red Ryder movie. Today, the character seems to be remembered more for the BB gun than the comic strip or the movies.
ReplyDeleteI've seen "Stagecoach to Denver," "Rustlers of Devil's Canyon," and "Vigilantes of Boom Town" on YouTube. They were fairly typical 1940's "B" Westerns. They were played straight. Besides Bobby Blake as Little Beaver, there was a Gabby Hayes/Fuzzy St. John-type "old coot" sidekick, called "Blizzard" or "Breezy," or something similar, and he provided the usual comedy relief.
ReplyDelete