The Lone Rider in Ghost Town


1h 4m 1941

Brief Synopsis

Tom and Fuzzy investigate a ghost town which, in this case, is supposedly haunted by real ghosts. The town is an outlaw gang's hideout, and they scare folks away to protect their mine.

Film Details

Genre
Western
Release Date
May 2, 1941
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Sigmund Neufeld Productions, Inc.
Distribution Company
Producers Releasing Corp.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 4m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
5,619ft (6 reels)

Synopsis

Tom Cameron, renowned as the crusading "Lone Rider," responds to his friend Jim Madison's call for help, and arrives at Jim's ranch with his pal, Fuzzy Jones, shortly before Jim is brought in injured. Jim recalls that trouble at his ranch began when a gold nugget was discovered in the deserted mining town of Parker's Diggings and then disappeared. Tom and Fuzzy begin their investigation at the local saloon, where Tom comes to the aid of his old friend Moosehide, an elderly miner, who is being thrown out of the saloon because he is complaining to saloon owner Bob Sinclair, whom he believes stole his mine claim. Moosehide warns Tom that Sinclair and his partner O'Shea have forbidden access to Parker's Diggings. This convinces Tom and Fuzzy that they must investigate there, and when Roberts, a guard posted by Sinclair and O'Shea, tries to stop them, they knock him out. Fuzzy and Tom discover a secret mine entrance inside a building, and while wandering in the tunnels, Tom encounters Helen Clark, who is searching for her missing father, mine engineer Dennis Clark. Helen explains that her father had a business arrangement with Sinclair, but disappeared shortly after making a significant discovery in Parker's Diggings. Tom, Helen and Fuzzy are chased out of the ghost town by Sinclair's gang, while down below, O'Shea refuses to release Clark until he determines the value of the ore in the area. Tom shoots Gordon, one of the gang, as they chase him out of town, and the sheriff later tries to arrest him for Gordon's murder. However, with Moosehide's help, Tom kidnaps Gordon, who is alive, and takes him to the sheriff. Gordon is killed before Tom reaches town, however, and Tom realizes he must have been shot as the gang was chaseing him. Surprisingly, two local men defend Tom and prevent his arrest. O'Shea then arms Clark and releases him, hoping that the frightened man will kill Tom as he escapes from the dark caves. Clark fires his gun when he hears Tom coming, thinking that he is a gang member, but Tom is unharmed, and he reunites Clark and his daughter. Tom then learns that Clark has an option on the mines that is due to run out that night at sundown. Clark and Tom race to Sinclair's office, where Clark presents a check for the balance due. When Sinclair refuses to accept the check, Tom offers to ride to a bank in another town and be back before sundown with the cash. Moosehide tells Tom about a secret shortcut which will save him time. On Tom's return trip, he is beset by several members of Sinclair's gang, but he successfully defends himself and arrives in town just as the sun sets behind the hills. Sinclair refuses to accept the money, because Tom is three minutes late, so Tom forces him to ride beyond the hills, where the sun has yet to set, and pays him off. Tom then announces that O'Shea has confessed to the scheme, both he and Sinclair are arrested.

Film Details

Genre
Western
Release Date
May 2, 1941
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Sigmund Neufeld Productions, Inc.
Distribution Company
Producers Releasing Corp.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 4m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
5,619ft (6 reels)

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

A Hollywood Reporter news item includes Don Forrest and Byron Vance in the cast, but their appearance in the released film has not been confirmed. Modern sources include Karl Hackett, Jack Ingram and Lane Bradford in the cast. For additional information on the "Lone Rider" series, consult the Series Index, and see the entry below for The Lone Rider Rides On.