The Law Rides Again

In the 1930s and 40s, several teams of second-tier western stars were teamed up in order to increase their box office power. So, while the teams didn't have anyone of the drawing power of Gene Autry or Roy Rogers, you did get some familiar faces working together to battle evil. The most famous of these teams was probably The Three Mesquiteers--a team whose composition OFTEN changed. Then, there were the Range Busters and Rough Riders--also made up of various stars. Here in "The Law Rides Again", you've got two of the members of such a team here together instead of the usual trio. Ken Maynard (brother of cowboy star Kermit Maynard) and Hoot Gibson team up to high wickedness in this one.

The film begins with a crook begin captured by the law. Jack LaRue (who OFTEN played heavies) promises to work with the law to uncover the man who is stirring up the Indian tribes. But, oddly, Ken and Hoot both decided to do this undercover (a cliché--as this was OFTEN the case in these team films) and eventually bring niceness to the old west. None of this is especially great or groundbreaking--but it's enjoyable and worth seeing IF you are a fan of the genre. Otherwise, you may find this a bit dull.