Robin Hood of Monterey
Eduardo Belmonte overhears his new step-mother, Maria, and her lover, Don Ricardo Gonzales plotting to take over the Belmonte rancho on the night of the fiesta given by her husband, Don Carlos Belmonte. Eduardo offers Maria money if she will depart the hacienda premises, but she refuses and then accuses Eduardo of making love to her. The old Don doesn't take kindly to his son hitting on his step-mother and attacks him in a rage. The lights go out, the father is killed and Maria blames Eduardo, who escapes from the house, chased by Ricardo's men. The Cisco Kid and Pancho rescue Eduardo, who has been shot, and hide him while they investigate. Cisco discovers that bullets from Maria's gun, a handy little derringer, are the same type that killed Don Carlos. But the Alcalde arrests Cisco and Pancho, and Cisco is "supposedly" executed by a firing squad, but IS NOT shot and escapes by a trick. And now Maria and Ricardo are in real trouble with Cisco on the loose.
Insights
Plot Summary
In 1840s California, during the turbulent period before statehood, a heroic outlaw named Robin Hood fights against a corrupt Spanish official who is unjustly taxing and oppressing the local ranchers. Alongside his loyal band of followers, Robin rallies the people to stand up for their rights and fight for justice against the tyrannical regime. He also finds himself caught in a romantic entanglement that adds another layer of complexity to his fight for freedom.
Critical Reception
The film received a modest reception, typical for many B-Westerns of its era. It is noted for its straightforward Western plot and its star, Clayton Moore, who would later gain fame as the Lone Ranger.
What Reviewers Say
- A standard, formulaic Western outing.
- Clayton Moore delivers a capable performance as the heroic lead.
- Enjoyable for fans of classic Westerns and serial-style storytelling.
Google audience: Audience reception is not widely documented, but generally, viewers appreciate it as a classic B-Western with familiar tropes and an iconic lead actor.
Fun Fact
Clayton Moore, who plays the lead role, would go on to achieve immense fame playing the Lone Ranger, a character with a similar heroic, masked persona.
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