Classic Film Guide

The Renegade Ranger (1938)

A couple of years before Tim Holt would replace George O’Brien as lead in RKO’s B Westerns, Holt appeared in the title role, as Larry Corwin, of this O’Brien – who plays Captain Jack Steele – feature, directed by David Howard and written by Oliver Drake, from the story by Bennett Cohen. But the real treat is Rita Hayworth, appearing as Judith Alvarez, who’s accused of murder by Peco City’s tax collector Ben Sanderson (William Royle). Western crooner Ray Whitley, who played sidekick to both leading men in their respective series, plays another Texas Ranger named Happy. Lucio Villegas plays Don Juan Campielo and Cecilia Callejo plays his comely daughter Toñia.

The story is pretty standard fare: Sanderson’s the villain, using the power of the law, and the Sheriff (Neal Hart) he’s bought, to systematically grab the land and cattle of landowners by assessing their property with high taxes and then seizing it when they can’t pay. His initial targets are Mexican-Americans like Don Juan and Manuel (Charles Stevens); they join Miss Alvarez’s gang when she becomes Sanderson’s scapegoat, accused of murdering his partner in crime. Bounced out of the Rangers after being caught brawling in a bar, Larry too joins the Alvarez gang. When Steele is sent to find and arrest Miss Alvarez, he quickly discovers the truth but must work within the law to bring her to justice.

Monte Montague, Robert Kortman, and Tom London play Sanderson henchmen; James Mason (not that one) plays an Alvarez gang member who’s tempted by the $5,000 reward to betray her. Naturally, it all works out in the end, and there are just enough ladies for both the current and future hero to ‘win’ one.

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