Only his ardent fans remember Bob Allen today, and they are becoming fewer all the time, but Bob Allen fit the part of a Saturday matinée hero, even his duds were somewhat outlandish compared with other movie cowboys of the times. Mainly in 1937, Bob Allen made six ranger films for Columbia: "The Unknown Ranger," "Rio Grande Ranger," "Reckless Ranger," "Ranger Courage," "Law of the Ranger" -this one, & "The Ranger Steps In." According to pundits of the genre, Bob Allen's fondest movie memories were of the Ranger series. And it's easy to see why.
"Law of the Ranger" has all the traditional elements of a good budget western. The plot is a typical land-grabbing one with the mustachioed villain (John Merton) obviously enjoying his role. (His dastardly deeds are shown at the beginning of the movie adroitly edited with his image continually popping up to reveal to the audience the lead bad guy.) Bob Allen and his saddle pal, Wally (Hal Taliaferro), must stop the night riders led by Bill Nash (Merton)from taking over a key piece of land for water rights. Along the way, Bob Allen has time for dalliance with the daughter (Elaine Shepard) of the local crusading newspaper editor. All this leads to action aplenty that should please Saturday matinée fans.
Of special note is the appearance of Hal Taliaferro, aka Wally Wales, as Bob Allen's sidekick, not really a comical sidekick in the traditional manner. Wally is more of a buddy in the saddle, but he is a superb actor and handles the part with ease, making it an enjoyable performance. Unfortunately, Hal Taliaferro's acting talents were basically ignored by the Hollywood establishment and he was relegated to playing bit parts (mainly as a bad guy)in budget westerns.
Legendary cowboy character actors appear in the film that all fans will recognize. Tom London, later the sheriff on many-a Gene Autry TV show, plays one of Bill Nash's henchmen. Others include Slim Whitaker, Lane Chandler, & Bud Osborne.
Bob Allen may not have succeeded as a cowboy hero, but his six Columbia ranger oaters are all worth seeing.
"Law of the Ranger" has all the traditional elements of a good budget western. The plot is a typical land-grabbing one with the mustachioed villain (John Merton) obviously enjoying his role. (His dastardly deeds are shown at the beginning of the movie adroitly edited with his image continually popping up to reveal to the audience the lead bad guy.) Bob Allen and his saddle pal, Wally (Hal Taliaferro), must stop the night riders led by Bill Nash (Merton)from taking over a key piece of land for water rights. Along the way, Bob Allen has time for dalliance with the daughter (Elaine Shepard) of the local crusading newspaper editor. All this leads to action aplenty that should please Saturday matinée fans.
Of special note is the appearance of Hal Taliaferro, aka Wally Wales, as Bob Allen's sidekick, not really a comical sidekick in the traditional manner. Wally is more of a buddy in the saddle, but he is a superb actor and handles the part with ease, making it an enjoyable performance. Unfortunately, Hal Taliaferro's acting talents were basically ignored by the Hollywood establishment and he was relegated to playing bit parts (mainly as a bad guy)in budget westerns.
Legendary cowboy character actors appear in the film that all fans will recognize. Tom London, later the sheriff on many-a Gene Autry TV show, plays one of Bill Nash's henchmen. Others include Slim Whitaker, Lane Chandler, & Bud Osborne.
Bob Allen may not have succeeded as a cowboy hero, but his six Columbia ranger oaters are all worth seeing.