Call the Mesquiteers (1938)

Call the Mesquiteers
Directed by John English
Written by Luci Ward and Bernard McConville based on characters created by William Colt MacDonald
1938/USA
Republic Pictures
First viewing/Streaming on Amazon Instant Video (Free to Prime members)

I try not to let a year go by without watching at least one of its “B” Westerns.  At only 55 minutes, this one made ideal bedtime watching.  I was surprised to find out The Three Mesquiteers were not traditional Western heroes.  The story is a contemporary one about some train robbers that carjack the Mequiteers’ truck and use it to attempt a getaway. After the robbers are killed and the truck is apprehended, the men must flee to clear their own names.

This one starts out strong but eventually gets bogged down with one too many badly choreographed fist fights and Max Trehune’s ventriloquism.

Clip – credits and opening