''Old Overland Trail'' is a 1953 American

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

film directed by

William Witney William Nuelsen Witney (May 15, 1915 – March 17, 2002) was an American film and television director. He is best remembered for the action films he made for Republic Pictures, particularly serials: '' Dick Tracy Returns'', '' G-Men vs. the Bl ...

and written by Milton Raison. The film stars

Rex Allen Rex Elvie Allen (December 31, 1920 – December 17, 1999), known as "the Arizona Cowboy", was an American film and television actor, singer and songwriter; he was also the narrator of many Disney nature and Western productions. For his contribut ...

, Slim Pickens,

Roy Barcroft Roy Barcroft (born Howard Harold Ravenscroft; September 7, 1902 – November 28, 1969) was an American character actor famous for playing villains in B-Westerns and other genres. From 1937 to 1957, he appeared in more than 300 films for Re ...

, Virginia Hall, Gil Herman and Wade Crosby. The film was released on February 25, 1953, by

Republic Pictures Republic Pictures Corporation (currently held under Melange Pictures, LLC) was an American motion picture production-distribution corporation in operation from 1935 to 1967, that was based in Los Angeles. It had studio facilities in Studio City a ...

Plot

Rex (Rex Allen) and Slim (Slim Pickens) and army sergeant (Marshall Reed) encounter two drunk Indians. After dealing with them a third is spotted and Rex catches chief Blackhawk (Leonard Nimoy) who claims a white man gave them the whiskey. Blackhawk rides off and meets with John Anchor (Ray Barcroft), a crooked railroader. The next day, Rex and Slim meets Mary Peterson (Virginia Hall) arriving on a wagon train. Blackhawk attacks and burns the wagons enabling Anchor to get the settlers to work for him. Back in town Rex's brother Jim (Gil Herman) confronts Anchor about the Indian attack. At the Indian camp Rex accuses Blackhawk of the attack. A fight ensues with Rex sparing Blackhawks life. Next the incoming stage is robbed of the settlers payroll by Anchor's men enabling him to issue strips to the settlers for supplies. The storekeeper (Harry Harvet, Sr.) offers to redeem the strips for 25 cents on the dollar. In town Rex accuses his brother of being part of the swindle, they fight with Rex emerging the victor. Rex is now sure Anchor is behind the swindle and he and Slim rob the stage of the second settlers payroll beating Anchor's men to the punch. During all this Jim tells Anchor he wants no part of the swindle. Anchor slugs him and Jim dies on the way to the doctor. In town Mary tells Rex a posse is after him for killing his brother. Rex and Slim leave to hide in the hills but not before giving the payroll to Mary who tells him, “ I know you didn’t do it.” At Blackhawk's camp Anchor promises more guns if he catches Rex and Slim. Blackhawk does and ties up Rex and Slim at his camp. Anchor receives a telegram informing him the railroad commissioner is arriving with the settlers payroll to investigate and he is to assist. Anchor knows he will found out and rides to the Indian camp. Blackhawk refuses to help Anchor rob the train and is shot. Anchor then persuades the Indians for help robbing the train and they ride off. Blackhawk, only wounded frees Rex and Slim who ride to town for help. Rex, Slim and the settlers stop the train robbery but Anchor escapes with Rex after him. Anchor waits to ambush Rex but Blackhawk arrives and kills him with an arrow. Rex waves a final salute to Blackhawk as he falls off his horse and dies. Back in town Rex bids Mary goodbye and rides off.

Cast

as Rex Allen *Koko as Rex's Horse * Slim Pickens as Slim Pickens *

as John Anchor *Virginia Hall as Mary Peterson *Gil Herman as Jim Allen *Wade Crosby as Draftsman *

Leonard Nimoy Leonard Simon Nimoy (; March 26, 1931 – February 27, 2015) was an American actor, famed for playing Spock in the '' Star Trek'' franchise for almost 50 years. This includes originating Spock in the original ''Star Trek'' series in 1966, th ...

as Chief Black Hawk *

Zon Murray Zon Murray (April 13, 1910 – February 2, 1979) was an American actor. Filmography He appeared in the films: ''The El Paso Kid'', '' Ghost of Hidden Valley'', '' Song of the Sierras'', '' Jack Armstrong'', '' Rainbow Over the Rockies'', ''West ...

as Mack * Harry Harvey, Sr. as Storekeeper *Army sergeant, Marshall Reed (uncredited) The Republic Rhythm Riders as Musicians

References

External links

* {{William Witney 1953 films American Western (genre) films 1953 Western (genre) films Republic Pictures films Films directed by William Witney American black-and-white films 1950s English-language films 1950s American films