The Westward Trail
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Ray Taylor
Eddie Dean
Copper
Roscoe Ates
Phyllis Planchard
Eileen Hardin
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Ann Howard and her brother Tom arrive in Prairieville, where Ann has just bought a ranch. Tom and Ann, who has made the move West to remove her brother from his unsavory friends in Chicago, meet cowboys Eddie Dean and Soapy Jones, who have been bunking at the ranch. Speculator Larson, who wants to acquire Ann's ranch land, observes the Howards' arrival and rides back to town. There the sheriff tells Larson he is concerned about threats the local ranchers have been receiving, pressuring them to sell their land. When Ann is attacked by gunmen, Eddie and Soapy intervene. One of the gang shoots the sheriff who, before he dies, tells Eddie that the gang's leader is Larson. At the saloon, Eddie accuses Larson of killing the sheriff and a barroom brawl ensues with Eddie the winner. Later, Larson visits Ann and Tom and offers Ann cash for the ranch but she refuses to sell. Larson persuades Tom, who is already disenchanted with ranching, to bring the deed to the property to his office, where Tom forges his sister's signature on the document. Larson then offers him considerably less money than he had promised. When Tom calls him a crook, Larson knocks him out. Eddie and Soapy offer to teach Tom how to handle himself and help his estranged sister. Tom apologizes to Ann and tells her that, according to Eddie, the reason Larson wants the ranches is because silver has been discovered in the area. Ann thinks Tom may have returned just for the silver and also suspects that Eddie and Soapy may be involved in land-grabbing activities. After Larson appoints himself sheriff, Eddie gives Tom lessons in roping, shooting and riding. Soapy tells Ann that, thanks to Eddie, Tom is a changed man, but as Larson still holds the deed to Ann's ranch, she decides to return East. Eddie reveals that he is a government agent assigned to keep an eye on the area and the potential battles over the rights to the silver. Ann agrees to help Eddie and invites Larson to bring the deed to the ranch. When Larson shows up and proposes marriage to Ann, she grabs the deed. Eddie enters and overpowers Larson but is stopped by one of Larson's henchmen. Other ranchers ride up to help Eddie, who then pursues Larson and his men. After Eddie catches Larson and ensures he will stand trial, Ann and Tom express their gratitude for Eddie's and Soapy's help.
Director
Ray Taylor
Cast
Eddie Dean
Copper
Roscoe Ates
Phyllis Planchard
Eileen Hardin
Steve Drake
Bob Duncan
Carl Mathews
Lee Morgan
Bob Woodward
Budd Buster
Charles "slim" Whitaker
Frank Ellis
Andy Parker
Crew
Hal Blair
Joe Bonner
James Brown
Dick Carruth
Eddie Dean
Pete Gates
Glen Glenn
Walter Greene
Ray Mercer
Ernie Miller
Robert Alan Miller
William L. Nolte
Gene Redd
Jerry Thomas
Ira S. Webb
Hugh Winn
Film Details
Technical Specs
