West of Texas
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Oliver Drake
Dave "tex" O'brien
Jim Newill
Guy Wilkerson
Frances Gladwin
Henry Hall
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Texas Rangers Jim Steele and Tex Wyatt are sent to Gabe's Crossing, New Mexico, to organize the first branch of the New Mexico Rangers, and capture Bent Yaeger, a rancher who is reportedly sabotaging the progress of the railroad. After the Rangers save Bent's daughter Ellen from an attack by three men, they meet Bent, who claims that railroad representative Bart Calloway and his attorney, Steve Conlon, have rigged land surveys so that it appears that Bent's property is on government land, and must therefore be forfeited to the railroad. Shortly after, Bart's thug Blackie murders Conlon, who was attempting to leave the corrupt gang. Tex, meanwhile, organizes a group of local men to enlist as the new Rangers, and swears in Gabe Jones as the captain. Conlon's body is then brought to town bearing a note in which Bent claims responsibility, but no one but Tex believes he is guilty. Bart's girl friend, Marie Monette, overhears the meeting and warns Bart, who has just locked up the third Texas Ranger, Panhandle Perkins, who was working undercover in his gang. Panhandle is freed by Gabe, and reports that Bart's gang is planning to ambush Bent and the Rangers. Determined to carry out his orders to arrest Bent, Tex tells the rancher that he can recoup his losses by robbing a stagecoach carrying $30,000 in railroad money. Although Jim privately protests that Tex is taking unfair advantage of Bent, who has treated them like family, Tex insists on entrapping Bent, and knocks Jim out. Jim and Ellen foil Tex's plan, however, by lighting a signal fire which calls Bent back to his cabin. Although Jim intended to resign from the Rangers, he renews his loyalty when Bent reveals he intends to kill Tex for betraying him. They are then distracted by the arrival of Bart's gang, who fire at the cabin. Bent and the Texas Rangers are soon aided by the arrival of Panhandle and the New Mexico Rangers. The Rangers are victorious and arrest Bart and his gang. Bent and the other ranchers are pardoned by the governor and promised restitution for their losses.
Director
Oliver Drake
Cast
Dave "tex" O'brien
Jim Newill
Guy Wilkerson
Frances Gladwin
Henry Hall
Marilyn Hare
Robert Barron
Jack Ingraham
Jack Rockwell
Tom London
Art Fowler
Crew
Arthur Alexander
George S. Bahr
Oliver Drake
Charles Henkel Jr.
Corson Jowett
Ira Morgan
Jim Newill
Dave O'brien
Fred Preble
Harry Rief
Alfred Stern
Lee Zahler
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The film opens with the following written foreword: "In the days when the railroad empires were building the West, supplying the life-blood of commerce to a growing nation, there were some who saw the chance for quick riches. The small rancher and land owner was robbed, kicked and murdered until the government had to send in the Rangers, two-fisted, hard-fighting, reckless yet ready to bring the culprits to the Bar of Justice." This film was re-released in 1947 by Eagle-Lion as Shootin' Irons. For further information on "The Texas Rangers" series, consult the Series Index, and see the entry above for The Rangers Take Over.
