The Scarlet Horseman (1946)
Directed by Ray Taylor / Lewis D. Collins
Genres - Western |
Release Date - Jan 22, 1946 (USA - Unknown), Jan 22, 1946 (USA) |
Run Time - 248 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hans J. Wollstein
In this below-average western serial, a Texas ranger goes undercover as "The Scarlet Horseman," a legendary figure for the Commanche tribe whose leadership they respect. The reason for the ranger's sudden interest in Commanche affairs stems from a series of kidnappings of wives and daughters of senators in an attempt to force a partition of Texas. Behind the scheme is Matosca, a mysterious woman who turns out to be the daughter of a discredited senator. The cast of this serial is more interesting than the overly complicated plot or the rather pedestrian action sequences. Peter Cookson, a typically bland 4F leading man of the early '40s, earned star billing, although the title role is played by Paul Guilfoyle, a sneaky-looking character actor who usually played hoodlums. Even more surprising than Guilfoyle's sudden heroics is the presence of Virginia Christine ("Mrs. Olsson" of coffee commercial fame), a blond dialectician rarely found in such slam-bang surroundings. Victoria Horne, the wife of comedian Jack Oakie, played a treacherous Indian squaw and Janet Shaw, an all-purpose Universal starlet, was the little seen heroine.