"Western Trails" is a well made western that still holds up despite being in the old fashioned style. Competently made in an uncluttered manner, it benefits from a good story and layered plot. Bob Baker is a convincing and amiable hero who you can't help but like. Marjorie Reynolds, star of A-level as well as many B- movies, is far better than you might expect for a B western. John Ridgley, a fine supporting actor for decades in Hollywood, is a great asset for this film. These 3 actors relate well and form a watchable character triangle.
The supporting cast includes a lovable and smart canine actor "Wimpy" portraying "Smoky" (as pet of a grown man, not just for kids). By the way, you might note some magnificent specimens of ponderosa pine along the road in scenes filmed on location.
This is a serious movie, with no silly sidekick. Rather than a sidekick, you have padding in the form of songs sung by Baker in his somewhat weak tenor voice, not really very appealing singing, but OK as an alternative to the usual "sidekick" character, and more fitting to the heavy story than comedy.
Western fans should enjoy this film, enhanced as it is by the dynamic and believable Ms. Reynolds, and by the rock-solid talents of Mr. Ridgely.
The supporting cast includes a lovable and smart canine actor "Wimpy" portraying "Smoky" (as pet of a grown man, not just for kids). By the way, you might note some magnificent specimens of ponderosa pine along the road in scenes filmed on location.
This is a serious movie, with no silly sidekick. Rather than a sidekick, you have padding in the form of songs sung by Baker in his somewhat weak tenor voice, not really very appealing singing, but OK as an alternative to the usual "sidekick" character, and more fitting to the heavy story than comedy.
Western fans should enjoy this film, enhanced as it is by the dynamic and believable Ms. Reynolds, and by the rock-solid talents of Mr. Ridgely.