Movie spotlight
Cassidy of Bar 20
Hopalong Cassidy, boss of the Bar 20 ranch in Texas, rides down the Camino Real in the New Mexico cattle country near Alamogordo, in response to an urgent message from his lifelong sweetheart, Nora Blake, who is in serious trouble. Before he and his saddlemates, "Lucky" Jenkins and "Pappy", can reach her ranch, they are stopped by Clay Allison, a cattle-rustler who is in almost complete control of the district, and wants to extend his holdings by seizing Nora's cattle and driving her out. Seeing Cassidy as a menace to his plans, he has him arrested on a trumped-up charge. Cassidy and his pals shoot their way out of the trouble and reach Nora;s ranch where they learn that Allison's henchmen have murdered her foreman, Tom Dillon, and Allison has sent for a crew of outlaws on the Texas border.
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Plot Summary
Hopalong Cassidy is sent to investigate a series of cattle rustlings and murders plaguing the Bar 20 ranch. He suspects a new foreman, but the real culprits are a ruthless gang using a cunning deception. Cassidy must uncover their plot and bring them to justice before the ranch is destroyed.
Critical Reception
Cassidy of Bar 20 was a typical entry in the popular Hopalong Cassidy series, generally well-received by audiences for its straightforward Western action and the reliable performance of William Boyd. Critics of the time often noted its predictable plot but praised its pacing and traditional Western elements.
What Reviewers Say
Reliable Hopalong Cassidy fare with action and adventure.
William Boyd delivers a dependable performance as the titular hero.
A standard Western plot that satisfies genre fans.
Google audience: Audience reception information is not readily available for this classic Western.
Fun Fact
This film is the first in the Hopalong Cassidy series to feature Juano Hernandez, an African-American actor who would go on to have a notable career, although his role in this film was credited as 'Chico'.
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