A stage coach robbery has motivations that go beyond the typical payroll heist, beyond the nefarious deeds of some bandit, and beyond revenge against the stagecoach company. It's all a huge conspiracy, occurring at the wrong time for who is on board and who that person happens to be related to. This is one of those epic tales of power struggles and the need to prevent any struggles because of competition. It's the case of big fish eating up growing fish so growing fish doesn't get bigger than big fish.In this case, the big fish is a big toothed piranha stuck in a portly frame, a surprisingly sinister George Cleveland, cast against type as the controlling and crooked town patriarch out to prevent competition at any cost. He's got the law in his pocket, and when one of the stagecoach robbers in custody threatens to squeal, you know his moments on earth are numbered. But the film's hero, Randoloh Scott, ironically Cleveland's nephew, vows to take the ruthless tyrant down, family relations be damned.This is from the independent team of Pine/Thomas productions whose low budget films were released through Paramount. This is higher budgeted than normal, with an A cast and some really good color photography. Lon Chaney Jr. is appropriately ruthless as Cleveland's henchman, and George "Gabby" Hayes grizzled but gutsy as Scott's loyal pal who is more than just your typical sidekick, able to hold off the enemy without fear. For feminine touch added, there's Barbara Britton as the stagecoach victim of Cleveland's greed and Catherine Craig as a ploy unsuccessfully used by Cleveland. Karolyn Grimes is added as a little girl who takes a shine to Scott after he rescues her from a runaway stagecoach. Portly Jody Gilbert adds more comic relief as Hayes' old lady friend. In all, above average for a seemingly complex western that is anything but typical.

"Cole Armin" (Randolph Scott) is a former Texas Ranger who decides to accept an offer from his uncle, "John Armin" (George Cleveland) to help him run a freight office in Albuquerque. What Cole doesn't know is that his uncle is exceedingly corrupt and practically runs the town like an evil tyrant. When he discovers that some new friends are being run out of business he quits working for his uncle and joins them in starting a rival freight company. Naturally, this represents a direct threat to John Armin's interests and he sets about trying to destroy his new rivals using whatever means are at his disposal. Filmed in 1948, this movie was probably well-received in theaters and at drive-ins during this time. And while it is certainly enjoyable enough today it definitely shows its age. Randolph Scott performs well enough I suppose as does George Hayes (as "Juke") and Catherine Craig ("Celia Wallace"). Likewise, both Barbara Britton ("Letty Tyler") and Catherine Craig added some nice scenery as well. All things considered, this was an entertaining movie which should satisfy those looking for a decent western to pass the time. Slightly above average.

Randolph Scott is heading into Albuquerque to take a job with his uncle. However, on the way there, the stage is held up--even though they are not carrying a strongbox. However, a nice lady on board is concealing $10,000 for her and her brother's business...and the robbers seem to know this.Once in town, Scott goes to this uncle about the job. However, he soon learns that this uncle is a jerk--the typical bad guy from Westerns. You know, the rich guy who only wants to become richer by cheating and stealing and threatening until he owns everything. And, it just so happens that this jerk was behind the robbery. Scott demands that the uncle returns the money and then Scott goes into business with the nice lady and her brother.Not surprisingly, this is NOT the end of the problems---just the beginning. Again and again, intrigues of various types occur to try to crush the uncle's opposition. One trick is to bring in a pretty lady to befriend Scott and his partners. She's a crack shot and it looks bad for Scott--until he figures out why she's come to town.Unlike most later Randolph Scott films, this one shows Scott as a bit more headstrong man. All too often in his films he's the last one to suggest violence, but in this film he's quick to suggest a lynching (screw the law, let's have a hangin') and later he's quick to threaten the uncle. What a surprise to see him as such a hot-head--though in most other ways, he's the same old Scott you'd expect.As far as the film goes, there's nothing particularly unusual about it. Gabby Hayes plays the usual character, Scott is a hero, the baddie cannot be reasoned with and ultimately is destroyed and Scott gets the girl. Despite this very typical plot, it's all handled very well and as a result is well worth your time.By the way, there are two weird scenes in the film. First, late in the movie, there is a fist fight between Scott and the uncle's #1 henchman, Lon Chaney, Jr.. In it, Chaney smokes as he fights--something I never saw before and I did admire how he could puff away as he got his butt kicked. Second, get a load of that runaway cart scene with the whip--now THAT was one impossible feat!

According to the book The Last of the Cowboy Heroes which is about Joel McCrea, Audie Murphy, and Randolph Scott, the author says that Albuquerque was the only film he personally did not review because he claimed it was lost. Hadn't been seen in years.Good thing for western fans somebody was doing some spring cleaning at Paramount because a print was apparently found and now it's out on the open market. Albuquerque is a pretty good western too with Scott involved in a family feud with Uncle George Cleveland.George Cleveland sends for his nephew Randolph Scott with the intention of making him part of his freighting business, headquartered in the fast growing settlement of Albuquerque. Cleveland is more than just a business owner, he's the town boss which he runs from a wheelchair. He even has the sheriff in his pocket. Randolph Scott is not a cowboy hero for nothing. That includes not backing relatives up when they're villains. He goes to work for a rival outfit headed by brother and sister Russell Hayden and Catherine Craig.Cleveland is full of all kinds of tricks and he even sends for a western Mata Hari in the person of Barbara Britton to worm her way into the confidence of his rivals. Barbara's great as the homespun vixen who develops her own agenda.Randolph Scott's original home studio was Paramount, it was where his first studio contract was with. Albuquerque marked the last film he ever did for Paramount and they gave him a good one.Note also Lon Chaney, Jr., who is George Cleveland's chief henchman, a rather loathsome bully of a man and Gabby Hayes, who is just Gabby Hayes.Albuquerque must have been loved by Republicans across the nation in 1948 with its chief villain as a town boss who rules from a wheelchair. A certain Democrat from a wheelchair had made hash of them for four straight presidential elections and he was gone. They had high hopes of winning the White House that year too, but things went awry and they had to settle for an ersatz boss getting his comeuppance in Albuquerque. I'm not sure why Cleveland was in a wheelchair since nothing was really made of it in the plot. My guess is he was injured and played the part that way because he had to.Still Albuquerque must have had great appeal to the GOP market.