Riddle Ranch
Cast & Crew
Charles Hutchison
Black King
Julian Rivero
Fred "snowflake" Toones
June Marlowe
Baby Charline Barry
Film Details
Synopsis
Cowboy Bob Horton is in love with Helen, the niece of his employer, Jim Riddle. Riddle refuses to agree to their marriage, however, because he does not want Helen to marry a cowboy. Don Carlos, a Mexican bandit, wants Black King, a wild horse in Riddle's stables, but Riddle will not sell him. Carlos then goads Riddle into a race pitting Black King against Carlos' best horse. To ensure that he wins, Carlos twists a wire around one of Black King's legs. Riddle reluctantly accepts Bob as Black King's rider, as he is the only person who can handle the horse. During the race, Black King stumbles and loses, and Riddle believes that Bob betrayed him. Rather than give the horse to Carlos, however, Riddle lets the animal escape. Later, Carlos kills Dan, the card dealer at the saloon, because he believes that Dan cheated during a card game. Although the dying Dan tells Riddle that Carlos killed him, the sheriff believes that Bob is guilty because Carlos used Bob's gun for the murder. Riddle does not reveal the truth in order to keep Bob away from Helen. When he learns that he is suspected of murder, Bob hides out in the desert. He finds Black King and discovers the wire that made him lame. Bob seeks refuge in Carlos' cabin, but one of Carlos' henchmen reveals his whereabouts to the sheriff. Helen warns Bob of Carlos' betrayal, but he is captured and found guilty. When he realizes that Bob will be executed, Riddle finally names Carlos as Dan's murderer and agrees to Bob and Helen's marriage.
Director
Charles Hutchison
Cast
Black King
Julian Rivero
Fred "snowflake" Toones
June Marlowe
Baby Charline Barry
Rychard Cramer
Arturo Feliz
Henry Sylvester
Ray Gallagher
Budd Buster
Crew
Film Details
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
According to Film Daily, interiors were shot at International Studios and location shooting took place at Highland Springs, CA and in Arizona near the Mexican border. Riddle Ranch was later released on television as Western Show Down. The only credit that appeared on the viewed print was David Worth; other credits come from contemporary sources. Black King was billed as "The horse with the human brain." Although press materials credit L. V. Jefferson as the author, a Film Daily review credits E. J. Thornton with the screenplay. Modern sources include Ace Bain in the cast.
