This is a classic Saturday Matinee western with all the trappings of the era. Heroic cowboy, funny side-kick, henchmen, pretty girl and fist-a-cuffs galore- a typical good time in the local theater on Saturday afternoon. The film was produced by PRC Pictures a famous 'skid-row' company that produced over 300 films in its short lifetime. And in this concept it made about sixteen films with Buster Crabbe and Al Fuzzy St John keeping the west safe- all over a three year period. That is some rushed production schedule. There's really not much to this story that has not already been played out in many westerns. Crabbe, playing the white hat cowboy Billy Carson, is hired by a man to inspect the land where a new railroad would be built. But before Carson can get to the area, some thugs have killed the man and is now trying to buy up all the property before the railroad. Carson has to get evidence that the thugs are the one that killed the man and put a stop to their property take-over.There is nothing really remarkable about the film as it played out as expected. Crabbe, who had already played cowboy star in the Billy-the-Kid serials, seemed a bit rough in this production. His acting was quite stiff and rehearsed in nearly every scene. But Crabbe, as always, was excellent in the fight scenes. Fuzzy St.John was his usual self by being the comic relief to every situation [laying it up for all its worth. And even if you did not like the story you have to agree that St.John was doing his best in a way that only he can perform. Even with the less than desirable story-line, the film fulfilled its desired responsibility. It was cheaply made, provided some entertainment and ended with desired results. And yes, Crabbe's white hat never hit the ground in the ending fight scene. For a 'B' western that about all you can ask

With the railroad coming to Red Rock, trouble is expected and Billy has been sent to help his friend Fuzzy who is the town's Sheriff, Judge, and barber. When the man that sent Billy is murdered and the railroad location map stolen, broken match sticks point to Vic Landreau. While Billy tries to find the missing map, Landreau suspects Billy is on to him and plans to have him killed. One of the slowest westerns you'll ever see.Stars Buster Crabbe and Al St John who was related to Fatty Arbuckle and a friend of Buster Keaton.

Well, here's something I didn't know, aside from making laughable serials, Crabbe also made quite a number of westerns. Here, in the amazingly titled Shadows Of Death, Crabbe is presented as the "King of The Wild West" (??) and that he and his partner, affectionately (I'm sure) named Fuzzy (there's always a sidekick in these westerns that wind up with a stupid name) are presented as "Our Old Pals". Whatever you say Mr. Movie! Anyways, Crabbe arrives into town to help his friend Fuzzy with a suspicious individual who may or may not have murdered a courier with some important documents to widen a town. There's also a feeble love interest in there somewhere for good measure. All in all, this Western was certainly passable, it was certainly surprising to see Buster Crabbe in something else than Sci-Fi, and he actually looks comfortable in a cowboy hat. The plot is not bad, but I could have liked a little less stupid comedy from Fuzzy. All in all, not bad.

Billy Carson is sent to Red Rock to make sure that land grabbers don't affect the railroad coming through the town. Landreau, who has just set up a gambling hall, is only in the town to get the main land rights that the railroad would pay top dollar for. Landreau sees Billy as his biggest obstacle, but sees a tool in Kincaid, who thinks Billy is interfering in his romance with ranch owner Babs Darcy. Billy and Fuzzy (the town's marshal, justice of the peace, and barber) go out to prove that Landreau and his gang killed the railroad agent and try to make sure that Kincaid doesn't get shot in the process. The film is the most basic of the railroad rights land grab plots and there is nothing special about this film, in fact the film is a bit slow at times especially when the scenes involve the Kincaid character and dilemma. Fuzzy saves the film as usual with his comic scenes at the barber shop. Watch it if you must, but you won't be punching your eyes out at the end. Rating, based on B westerns, 4.