Movie spotlight
The Kid's Last Ride
The fifth film in the 24-film Range Busters series finds "Crash", "Dusty" and Alibi, on their way to Gopher City to become the town's peace officers. In the saloon, young Jimmy Rowell is losing money in a crooked poker game to saloon owner Bob Harmon. Harmon and his henchman Bart Gill are in reality wanted-outlaw brothers Jim and Ike Breedon seeking revenge against Jimmy and his school-teaching sister Sally as their father, a circuit judge in Nebraska, had sentenced their brother Bud to be hanged. Harmon involves Jimmy, because of his gambling debts, in a robbery of a rancher known to keep large amounts of money at his ranch. The Range Busters break up the robbery, Bart is killed, as is Rancher Fleming, and Jimmy is wounded but escapes. Harmon, setting a trap for Crash, tricks Sally and Jimmy to his hideout, and Crash follows them.
Insights
Plot Summary
A rancher's son, Buck, is framed for a crime he didn't commit by a crooked foreman. Buck escapes from prison and seeks to clear his name and expose the foreman's illicit dealings. He must overcome his own doubts and rally the support of those who believe in him to bring the real culprits to justice.
Critical Reception
While not a critical darling of its era, 'The Kid's Last Ride' was generally seen as a serviceable Western that delivered on the expected tropes of the genre. Audiences familiar with Buck Jones's heroic persona likely found the film to be an entertaining adventure, though critical reviews were often lukewarm, focusing on its predictable plot and standard production values.
What Reviewers Say
Delivers expected Western action and a heroic performance from Buck Jones.
Plot is straightforward and predictable, relying on genre conventions.
A standard but watchable B-Western for fans of the era.
Google audience: Audience reviews for 'The Kid's Last Ride' are scarce due to its age. However, typical reactions to Buck Jones's films from this period often praised his consistent portrayal of a noble hero and the straightforward, action-packed narratives that appealed to a broad family audience.
Fun Fact
Buck Jones was known for his distinctive hat and his horse, Silver King, who was also a popular figure in Western films of the era.
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