Border Patrol ** (1943, William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Jay Kirby, Russell Simpson, Robert Mitchum, George Reeves, Duncan Renaldo) – Classic Movie Review 11,027

‘”Hoppy” STRADDLES THE BORDER AS BULLETS FLY!’

Director Lesley Selander’s 1943 B-Western double feature film Border Patrol is based on the popular characters created by Clarence E Mulford, and stars William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy, Andy Clyde and Jay Kirby as his sidekicks California and Johnny, three heroic Texas Rangers, and Russell Simpson as the villain Orestes Krebs, along with George Reeves as as Don Enrique Perez and Duncan Renaldo as Commandant. Incredibly, it is the 45th of the 66 Hopalong Cassidy movies.

William Boyd and Robert Mitchum in Border Patrol (1943).

Plus, in one of his equally incredible 19 movies in his film debut year of 1943, Robert Mitchum (as Bob Mitchum) co-stars as Quinn, though admittedly only down in the cast as one of Simpson’s hired guns, in yet another Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) Western, in which a smuggling ring is targeted for oblivion by the tough Texas Rangers, Boyd, Andy Clyde and Jay Kirby.

They set out to end a scheme that smuggles Mexicans into the United States to become slave labour in a silver mine owned by Orestes Krebs (Russell Simpson).

Humble and short as Border Patrol is, it is essential viewing for B-Western, Hopalong Cassidy and Mitchum aficionados, with character actor Simpson outstanding as the villain.

Also in the cast are Claudia Drake, George Reeves, Pierce Lyden, Cliff Parkinson and Duncan Renaldo.

Border Patrol is directed by Lesley Selander, runs 65 minutes, is made by Harry Sherman Productions, is released by United Artists, is written by Michael Wilson, is shot in black and white by Russell Harlan, is produced by Harry Sherman and is scored by Irvin Talbot.

It is shot at Kernville, California.

Border Patrol was Mitchum’s feature film debut, though released after other films he had made.

When Mitchum sought work as a film actor, his agent got him an interview with producer Harry Sherman, who hired him to play minor, mostly villainous roles in several films in the Hopalong Cassidy series made during 1942 and 1943. Border Patrol was his fourth released feature and second credited role (credited as Bob Mitchum), following roles in The Human Comedy (uncredited), Hoppy Serves a Writ (credited) and Aerial Gunner (uncredited).

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,027

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