Land Beyond the Law (1937)

Dick Foran (the “Singing Cowboy”) plays ‘Chip’ Douglas the rowdiest of hands on Slade Henaberry’s (Cy Kendall) ranch and unaware that his boss is crooked. That is until Chip’s disapproving father (Tom Brower) is killed by Henaberry’s henchman Tascosa (Harry Woods) who was rustling Mr. Douglas’s cattle at the time. The story is set in the 1870’s in Bitter Creek New Mexico Territory. The governor concerned that the violence and lawlessness will keep the territory from statehood sends his envoy (Gordon Hart) to hire brawny two-fisted Chip to replace the incompetent now missing sheriff (Milt Kibbee). Though he should be motivated by the death of his father alone it takes a jab from Louise Turner (Linda Perry) the comely daughter of the saloon owner (Irene Franklin) to convince Chip to assume the new role. With help from his two friends Dave (Wayne Morris) and Bandy (Glenn Strange) and Smoke the Wonder Horse the Singing Cowboy is able to save as usual. Frank Orth provides comic relief as ‘Shorty’ the deputy. This sub-hour B-Western directed by Reeves Eason and based on Marion Jackson’s story “The Last Badman” was adapted by Luci Ward and Joseph Watson.