Directed by Lesley Selander
Starring Russell Hayden, Victor Jory, Jean Parker
1940 is typically outside the rough confines of this blog (have you noticed how “squishy” the Fifties thing has become lately?), but being that it’s from one of our collective favorites, Lesley Selander, I figured it was worth pointing out.
VCI now offers a remastered copy of Knights Of The Range (1940), one of Paramount’s many Zane Grey adaptations. Judging from the sample on their website, it looks plenty good.
50 Westerns From The 50s. 
This is good news, Toby! Not only directed by fave Lesley Selander but a Harry Sherman production – so quality all round. Because there are no big “names” starring the film could easily be overlooked but I would venture to recommend the film highly (certainly for a ‘B’) and Russell Hayden made a good western star,
This is a superior Paramount B-western, made with the same high values as their Hopalong Cassidy films. The likeable B-westerner Russell Hayden is great in the film, and Victor Jory is always excellent as the mean bad guy.
The film has been around for years in dodgy quality videotapes and DVDs, so hopefully VCI have finally done it justice. Although the DVD cover is OK, I like the film poster you have found much better..
Hayden and Jory also made another good western around the same time called The Light of Western Stars, though this time Jory gets top billing over Russ Hayden. I remember The Roan Group put it out on DVD a number of years back. Maybe you still have a copy around somewhere Toby.
I ordered this the other day from VCI .For me it works out at AUS$35 ,so I looked around for a cheaper copy ,but then changed my mind as this has been restored .There is a trailer on the VCI site to check out .
Kino Lorber are not dragging their feet on the Republic output.
They have just announced DAREDEVILS OF THE RED CIRCLE.
This classic serial has Charles Quigley,Bruce Bennett and stunt legend
Dave Sharpe battling fiendish master criminal Charles Middleton.
What more do you need to know?
http://wp.me/p4SU0r-ML
Thanks for the tip!
Whether by luck or judgement, Kino Lorber has chosen one of the very best Republic serials. This serial has one of my all-time favourite chapter endings, with Charles Quigley racing on a motorbike in a tunnel to escape a huge torrent of water. But will he make it?
Yes, one of the best serials from Republic (who made the best serials anyway). A fun ride!
Holly Ripple preferred Renn Frayne to Brazos Keene — who went on to ‘star’ in his own sequel, Twin Sombrero’s, released under the title Gunfighters with Randolph Scott playing Brazos. Released in Britian as Assassins.
Sorry, it was singular. The Assassin.
According to their rep on the Home Theater Forum, Kino Lorber is also planning to release another Republic serial and one of the Roy Rogers/William Witney westerns. No dates or titles announced just yet.
Wal-Mart has THE MONROES THE COMPLETE SERIES for $14.95 for the six disc set. I saw it at the store today.
The word from Paul is that The Monroes look like VHS. She sent a few screen captures to back it up. Watchable, certainly — especially to see Ben Johnson. But a disappointment.