Nothing special in this Hoppy movie other than William Boyd's winning personality. He shines in all the Hoppy series. I enjoyed his warm, chuckling condescension to most everyone in the movie -- his enemies, his sidekicks, et. al. One good example is when he arrives incognito as a gentleman gambler at a saloon looking for the bad guys. Hoppy sits in at a poker game, taking the favorite (empty) chair of the main bad guy (Victor Jory). Jory walks over later, angry, and tells Hoppy, "Didn't anyone tell you that is my chair?" Hoppy replies, "Yeah, but I am not particular." That cracked me up.The plot and the actors were nothing special. It was Robert Mitchum's first film roll, a small part. Nothing was asked of him, and he didn't do anything at all special in the roll, sleepy looking as usual, as though they didn't pay him enough. I did like George Reeves' (TV's Superman) acting.One neat plot ploy was when Reeves was captured by Hoppy and Co., but refused to tell where in the cabin the money was hidden. But Hoppy kept his eye on Reeves as Hoppy's sidekick moved about the room looking for the money. When he got close, Hoppy knew where the money was based on Reeves' flinching reaction! One laughably silly scene was at the end when Hoppy threw his rope to lasso three retreating bad guys together at the same time! Yes, all three squeezed together inside the loop of the rope!

I find this an excellent departure from the usual Hoppy routine. The dialog when Hoppy is checking into the hotel is worth the price of admission. Maybe it's just me but I find it side splitting, and a tad more adult than you'd expect from either a Hoppy movie or any movie made in 1943. William Boyd's personality is as winning as ever. Seeing Robert Mitchum's first film appearance is a hoot and George Reeves inclusion is welcome, as always. Both Mitchum and Reeves would be regulars in the Hoppy films for several years, alternating between the bad guy and the good guy. That's all I've got to say on this subject. I have to add some lines to get this to be accepted by IMDb.

Unlike the later Hoppy films, this one doesn't follow a mystery outline. We know who the baddie is from pretty near the beginning, & it's just a matter of catching him. Victor Jory (who had already starred in "The Shadow" & "The Green Archer" serials), is featured in this film. George Reeves (later TV's "Superman") has a small part. And Robert Mitchum has a short line. Jan Christy (the heroine) is prettier than most of the Hoppy heroines. Andy Clyde (as "California") gets a serious beating, & "Johnny" (Jay Kirby) doesn't act as silly as other Johnnies in this series. Sounds like it has a lot going for it, doesn't it? Not so, because there's little action aside from a couple of good fight scenes & about three gunfights. The plot is weak, & it's not helped by the fact that there's no mystery involved. Hoppy wears all black at the beginning & end of the film, & wears his rancher's outfit in the middle. It doesn't even have the usual dose of humor for a Hoppy film. I rate it only 5/10.

The 26 year old Robert Mitchum made his screen debut in this film. I'm not too sure how good an actor he really is because he always seems to sound the same. The true test is when you compare him acting as an antagonist as opposed to a protagonist. He's a better protagonist because he's the consistent broad shouldered, tall American.