Gangs of Sonora
Cast & Crew
John English
Robert Livingston
Bob Steele
Rufe Davis
June Johnson
Ward "bud" Mctaggart
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
In Sonora City, Wyoming, in 1890, newspaper editor Ward Beecham crusades against corrupt commissioner Sam Tredwell, who has been twisting the law to suit his own nefarious purposes. Tredwell is aided by his young lawyer, David Conners, who does not always approve of Tredwell's methods, but sees him as a ticket to an easy life. Because Beecham is pushing for Wyoming to become a state, which will remove Tredwell from power, Tredwell arranges for the destruction of Beecham's printing presses. Beecham orders new presses and hires The Three Mesquiteers, "Stony" Brooke, "Tucson" Smith and "Lullaby" Joslin, to guard them. Tredwell's gang ambushes the Mesquiteers, but they are aided by the stalwart Kansas Kate Conners, a well-known newspaperwoman who is going to Sonora City with her daughter June to visit her son David. Kate soon learns the truth about David's underhanded dealings and reprimands him for his betrayal of his late father's ideals. Kate and June are about to leave town when Beecham is shot by Tredwell's thugs. Determined to carry on Beecham's work, Kate, June and the Mesquiteers print petitions for an election to join the union. After collecting the signed petitions, the Mesquiteers succeed in getting them to a train bound for Washington, D.C. despite another ambush attempt by Tredwell's men. Later, David quarrels with Jed Pickins, Kate's printer, and when Jed is killed by Tredwell's henchman Drennon, David is arrested for the murder. Jed was killed because he was in Tredwell's office when a telegram announcing the date of the election was received. While Tredwell suppresses the news of the election, Kate laments the fact that she will have to print the news of her son's arrest. The Mesquiteers steal her printing press, however, and after setting up the apparatus in a cave, print newspapers declaring that David is innocent. When the Mesquiteers question Butler, the telegraph operator who gave the telegram to Tredwell, they learn that the election is to be held the next day, and that Drennon shot Jed. The Mesquiteers then alert the citizens about the election, and everyone votes at the newspaper office. During the excitement, Stony sees Drennon leaving town and chases him. Meanwhile, Tredwell organizes a mob to lynch David in order to distract the voters and cause a riot, thus enabling him to impose martial law and nullify the election results. Stony arrives back with Drennon just as David is to be hanged, and the henchman reveals that Tredwell is behind Sonora City's troubles. Soon after, Wyoming's statehood is assured, and Kate thanks the Mesquiteers for restoring her son to her.
Director
John English
Cast
Robert Livingston
Bob Steele
Rufe Davis
June Johnson
Ward "bud" Mctaggart
Helen Mackellar
Robert Frazer
William Farnum
Budd Buster
Hal Price
Curley Dresden
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Although the Film Daily review states that actress June Johnson, the daughter of screen comedian Chic Johnson, made her film debut in this picture, she had appeared in films previously. Modern sources include the following actors in the cast: Wally West, Bud Osborne, Bud Geary, Jack Kirk, Al Taylor, Griff Barnett and Jack Lawrence. For additional information on the series, please consult the Series Index and the entry for The Three Mesquiteers (see AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1931-40; F3.4617).
