Calling Wild Bill Elliott
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Spencer Bennet
Bill Elliott
George "gabby" Hayes
Anne Jeffreys
Herbert Heyes
"buzzy" Dee Henry
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Steven Nichols, the governor of a western territory, has used his power to extract exorbitant taxes and create a militia of thugs to carry out his orders. Rancher John Culver, who lives with his wife Mary, son Demi-John and father Cactus Jim, becomes one of Nichols' victims when he cannot pay his taxes. After the family is threatened with dispossession by Nichols' henchmen, Captain Carson and Dean, they decide to appeal to federal judge Anson Richards, who will soon be coming through on his yearly circuit visit. Cactus Jim, Demi-John and their pal, Gabby Hayes, go to the town of Eagle Junction to await Richards, but they are followed by Carson, who has been ordered by Nichols to stop them. While at the hotel, Demi-John meets renowned gunfighter Wild Bill Elliott. Demi-John is thrilled, for Gabby has often regaled him with tales of his crime-stopping adventures with Bill. In reality, Gabby has never met Bill, but the understanding cowboy pretends that they are old friends in order to entertain Demi-John. Carson attacks Cactus Jim, and although Bill succeeds in tearing off one of Carson's military insignia and chasing him off, Cactus Jim dies from his wounds. Demi-John is heartbroken, but stays with Gabby to wait for Richards while Bill rides to see Nichols. Bill states that the emblem proves that one of Nichols men is the killer, but Nichols asserts that Bill is the murderer, and that he grabbed the emblem when Carson tried to stop him from killing Cactus Jim. After Bill is arrested and jailed, Nichols sends Carson to incite a lynching mob. John, who does not know all the facts about his father's murder, believes that Bill is responsible and is about to have him hanged when Gabby and Demi-John return and stop him. They tell John the truth, then go to see Richards and his daughter Edith. Bill tells Richards that he is innocent of Cactus Jim's murder, but as they are talking, Carson shoots Richards through the door, and Edith thinks that Bill has killed her father. Bill escapes again, and when John attempts to tell Edith the truth, Nichols arrests him as Bill's accomplice. John refuses to divulge Bill's whereabouts, so Nichols orders that he be hanged at sundown. Soon after, Edith learns the truth from Mary, Demi-John and Gabby, but when she returns to the governor's house to confront Richards, he has her and Mary held prisoner. While Gabby rides to Ft. Rogers for help, Bill rounds up the ranchers and storms Richards' stronghold. A fierce battle ensues, during which Bill frees John, who then releases Mary and Edith. As the soldiers arrive, Bill apprehends Richards and Gabby shoots Carson. Soon after, peace is re-established, and Edith offers to promote Bill as the new territorial governor. Bill declines her offer in favor of seeking new adventures, and Gabby, who now believes his own tall tales about their partnership, accompanies him.
Director
Spencer Bennet
Cast
Bill Elliott
George "gabby" Hayes
Anne Jeffreys
Herbert Heyes
"buzzy" Dee Henry
Fred Kohler
Roy Barcroft
Eve March
Burr Caruth
Bud Geary
Lynton Brent
Al Taylor
Yakima Canutt
Hank Bell
Charles King
Frank Hagney
Forbes Murray
William Nestell
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
According to a January 26, 1943 Hollywood Reporter news item, Howard Bretherton was originally set as the director of this film, but was transferred to another Republic picture when "script polishing" held up production. The film was the first Republic picture starring Bill Elliott as "Will Bill Elliott." Elliott had previously appeared in Columbia's "Wild Bill Hickok" series. According to a December 15, 1942 Hollywood Reporter news item, Republic signed Elliott to a five-year term contract, which stipulated that eight pictures be made during the first year. Each film was to have a budget of $110,000 and would co-star George "Gabby" Hayes and Anne Jeffreys. In 1944, however, the "Wild Bill Elliott" character was dropped and Elliott began portraying "Red Ryder" in Republic's series based on the popular comic strip. For the "Red Ryder" films, Elliott was billed as Wild Bill Elliott. Modern sources include the following actors in the cast: Frank McCarroll, Ted Mapes, Herman Hack and Cliff Parkinson.
