Rangers of Fortune
Cast & Crew
Sam Wood
Fred Macmurray
Albert Dekker
Gilbert Roland
Patricia Morison
Joseph Schildkraut
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
After escaping death at the hands of a Mexican army firing squad, Gil Farra, a renegade U.S. Army officer, George Bird, a slap happy ex-boxer, and Sierra, a handsome caballero, begin a long trek to the U.S. border. While stopping at a waterhole, they meet little Mary Elizabeth "Squib" Clayborn and her ailing grandfather, who have been driven from the town of Santa Marta for publishing the local newspaper. The trio decide to accompany Squib and her grandfather back to Santa Marta, where they see the eerily deserted Santa Marta hacienda looming over the town square. Inside, they meet the owner, Colonel Lewis Rebstock, who has just returned from Europe to live in the seclusion of his estate. When Clayborn is murdered, the trio decide to stay in town to help Squib. When another murder is committed, however, they are accused of the crime, and a clever Gil convinces their accusers that George is a famous lawman, thus prompting the townfolk to appoint him marshal of Santa Marta. The new marshal is soon called upon to keep the peace when renegade Tod Shelby rides into town and kills a man. Swinging into action, the threesome apprehend Shelby and his men and throw them in jail. That night, Gil, Sierra and George join Squib in celebrating her birthday. Also at the party are Mr. Prout, the newspaper publisher; Sharon McCloud, the pretty town shopkeeper; and Johnny Cash, a windmill builder whose efforts are continually being sabotaged. As Gil and Johnny vie for Sharon's attentions, Shelby kills his guard and escapes from jail. Gil and the others undertake a search for the fugitives. Meanwhile, back at the newspaper office, Squib and Prout realize that Rebstock must be behind the lawlessness that has been plaguing the town. As they print an editorial denouncing him, Rebstock suddenly appears, shoots Squib and sets fire to the office. Rushing to the burning building, the trio find Squib's body with the editorial accusing Rebstock. They storm Rebstock's hacienda, where he admits to committing the crimes as a way of defending himself against the encroachment of settlers. In a pitched gun battle, the three eliminate Rebstock and his gang, thus restoring law and order to Santa Marta. After witnessing the marriage of Sharon and Johnny, Gil, Sierra and George ride off to California.
Director
Sam Wood
Cast
Fred Macmurray
Albert Dekker
Gilbert Roland
Patricia Morison
Joseph Schildkraut
Dick Foran
Betty Brewer
Arthur Allen
Bernard Nedell
Brandon Tynan
Minor Watson
Rosa Turich
Frank Puglia
Frank Milan
Matt Mchugh
Erville Alderson
Fern Emmett
Joseph Eggenton
Edward Le Saint
Rod Cameron
Harry Fleischmann
Fred Malatesta
Martin Garralaga
Jesús Topete
Dick Alexander
Paul Newlan
Charles Middleton
Earl Seaman
Jack Richardson
Charles Irwin
Harry Burslem
Frank Hagney
Dewey Robinson
Crew
Frank Butler
Hans Dreier
George Hippard
Frederick Hollander
Don Johnson
William Lebaron
Harold Lewis
Theodore Sparkuhl
Sidney Street
Robert Usher
Dale Van Every
Eda Warren
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
According to studio publicity materials contained in the Production Files at the AMPAS Library, child actress Betty Brewer sang for pennies on the Hollywood streets until director Sam Wood discovered her and cast her in this film. The picture was shot on location in the Mojave Desert and around Victorville, CA.
