Riders of the Deadline was originally released by United Artists, on 3 December 1943. The director was Lesley Selander.CAST: William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Jimmy Rogers, Richard Crane, Frances Woodward, William Halligan, Tony Warde, Bob Mitchum, Jim Bannon, Hugh Prosser, Herbert Rawlinson, Monte Montana, Earle Hodgins, Bill Beckford, Pierce Lyden. Running time: 70 minutes. (Available on Platinum Disc). Comment: It's fortunate that this entry has Bob Mitchum in its cast, along with Harlan's usual fine actual location camera, plus at least one thrilling action sequence. On the other hand it features Andy Clyde giving some of his worst "comedy" relief, including an extended scene in which he tries to hang himself. All told, the film contrives at least ten parts talk to every one part action.

Riders Of The Deadline has Hopalong Cassidy and his sidekicks Jimmy Rogers and Andy Clyde as Texas Rangers with Hoppy taking a fatherly interest in young Richard Crane and his sister Frances Woodward. Young Crane has fallen in with the wrong crowd mainly Anthony Warde and his outlaw gang. Crane has been letting them use his ranch to hide stolen cattle. But he agrees to go straight and Hoppy has his boss Herbert Rawlinson take him on as a Ranger.It doesn't work out though and Crane is killed for what he knows and Hoppy gets a suspension what modern police shows term a RIP. When he punches out Rawlinson he gets fired.I'm sure that all the Saturday matinée kids were stunned then to see Hoppy turn outlaw. But patience little ones, it's only some undercover work so Hoppy can uncover who's behind all the rustling.Robert Mitchum who made his screen debut in Hopalong Cassidy films did his final Hoppy film with Riders Of The Deadline. At first Mitchum only got a line or two, but gradually his roles built up. Usually he was one of the gang and here he plays one with a bad grudge against Hopalong Cassidy for putting him in jail and he doesn't care if he's turned bad guy or not. This Hoppy films should even satisfy those with more adult tastes in westerns.

I hate to be so negative, but aside from William Boyd's always-pleasing performance as Hoppy and the mostly decent production values and scenery, this film isn't up to par with the better Hoppy outings. One thing that amused me (partially because it was so unusual) is when Andy Clyde as Califonia Carlson went about trying to actually hang himself because he was so depressed that Hoppy (apparently) turned bad. Jimmy Rogers added to the fun in discussing the hanging-to-be with Carlson. (Jimmy Rogers make for a weak sidekick, at least as compared to the others in the series. The other co-stars were on the weak side too.) Another silly but amusing thing involving Carlson was when Hoppy wedged him into the "V" of a tree trunk in order to disable him for the moment.One of the things that stand out for me is how so little thought seemed to be given to staging the action in any believable way. With all the experienced production crew and the success of the Hoppy franchise, they could have done a better direction job. Two examples I can think of off-hand: (1) Hoppy, going undercover, is accused of being bad. Only the Ranger boss knows this, and the two arrange for Hoppy to "escape" custody. Hoppy does this in such an unbelievable way -- amidst the other Rangers, Hoppy jumps on his horse and simply rides off SAFELY in a hail of bullets; and (2) worst scene ever is when Hoppy is under suspicion and riding with the gang of bad guys and is watched closely by bad-guy Robert Mitchum. Suddenly,Hoppy (on horseback) kicks the gun out of Mitchum's hand and successfully gallops away again in a hail of bullets. Jeesh!

Standard Saturday morning stuff. Boyd is the familiar character and Mitchum just showed up so "Hoppy" could sock him a few times! Holds attention for the 5 reels it lasts, but it doesn't do much more than that. Significant lack of comedy, but OK production values.