As 30s black-and-white westerns go, I give this one a slightly-better-than-par rating. More-than-usual, uncomplicated, parallel goings-on, spice it up above average. Basically, Ranger Jim's brother Bob is killed by The Cougar, from Mexico, during a raid by his gang into Eureka, just north of the border. Jim, and his culinary sidekick, Thunder (always gotta have a sidekick), take leave to trail the bad guys, the question being: How to get them BACK into Texas to face US law? Ward Bond, as Dave, is a second major villain among the characters, who also include Jim's singing seniorita-friend; and Peg Leg, the barber. Sure, there are the typical, illogical behaviors after certain things happen, but, I liked Ranger Jim's and Thunder's humor, and, all-in-all, I believe that it's an adequate expenditure of time and/or money.
2 Reviews
A Remake
januszlvii22 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The Fighting Ranger is a remake of Border Law, which was made around 2 years earlier ( filmed in 1933 and released in 1934). It has to be the shortest span between an original and a remake with the same star in Motion Picture History. Both movies starred Buck Jones as Ranger Jim Houston who goes into Mexico to apprehend the gang who murdered his kid brother. His adversary is a half breed called the Cougar.( Bradley Page) which is one thing different then the original ( there the villain was named Shaq Smith). One character that is absolutely the same is Tonita ( Dorothy Revier) a Mexican Cantina singer. There is only one difference; Lupita Tovar is actually Mexican while Dorothy Revier is not. These two ladies say exactly the same thing literally word for word and even sing the same song ( Adios Amigos). Spoilers ahead: After Jim defeats the villain, Dorothy ends up the same way as Lupita: Married to Jim, because he is bringing Tonita back to the US and marrying her. Anyway the remake is not quite as good, because Lupita beats Dorothy. So I give it 8/10 stars.
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