The Wolf Hunters ** (1949, Kirby Grant, Jan Clayton, Edward Norris) – Classic Movie Review 7148

Director Budd Boetticher’s humble 1949 Western stars Kirby Grant as Canadian Mountie Corporal Rod Webb, who tracks down evil fur trappers who are killing other fur trappers and stealing their furs, in this cost-conscious Monogram Pictures studios support-feature Western.

The Wolf Hunters is predictable, but busy and acceptable old-style Western entertainment, with the adventure action broken by spells of less interesting romance involving Jan Clayton as Renée.

The Wolf Hunters is based on James Oliver Curwood’s novel The Wolf Hunters, previously filmed as a silent under that title in 1926 and in 1934 as The Trail Beyond with John Wayne, so it is interesting to compare it with the Wayne version and to catch it as an early work of cult director Boetticher.

Both films are produced for poverty row studio Monogram Pictures, in 1934 by Paul Malvern and in 1949 by Lindsley Parsons. Lindsley Parsons wrote the 1934 screenplay but, as producer, leaves it up to W Scott Darling this time.

Grant (left) with Gloria Winters and Ron Hagerthy in his hit TV show Sky King (1951 to 1959).

It is the second in a series of 10 films featuring long-time B-movie and TV actor Kirby Grant (November 24, 1911 – October 30, 1985) as a Canadian Mountie in the title role of Corporal Rod Webb.

Also in the cast are Edward Norris, Helen Parrish, Charles Lang and Ted Hecht.

The Wolf Hunters is directed by Budd Boetticher, runs 70 minutes, is made by William F Broidy Productions, is released by Monogram, is written by W Scott Darling, is shot in black and white by William A Sickner, is produced by Lindsley Parsons and William F Broidy (associate producer), and is scored by Edward J Kay (musical director), with Art Direction by Dave Milton.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7148

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