Streets of Laredo ** (1949, William Holden, William Bendix, Macdonald Carey, Mona Freeman) – Classic Movie Review 9220

Director Leslie Fenton’s 1949 Western film Streets of Laredo is a routine but sturdy remake of The Texas Rangers (1936), this time starring William Holden and Macdonald Carey as old outlaw buddies Jim Dawkins (Holden) and Lorn Reming (Carey), who end up on opposite sides of the law.

William Bendix also stars as Reuben ‘Wahoo’ Jones, the third of the original three musketeers, who joins the Texas Rangers with Holden and Carey.

The three compelling stars, Ray Rennahan’s lovely Technicolor cinematography and the hit title song (by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston) are the main pluses this time round.

In this boy’s movie, Mona Freeman is understandably a bit lost as the love interest, Rannie Carter, whom they rescue from rustlers as a girl but who grows up to be a source of conflict between Holden and Carey.

Also in the cast are Stanley Ridges, Alfonso Bedoya, Ray Teal, Clem Bevans, James Bell, Dick Foote, Joe Dominquez, Grandon Rhodes, Perry Ivins, Carl Andre, Wade Crosby, Byron Foulger, Bob Kortman, Alex Montoya, Hank Worden, Mike Lally and Julian Rivero.

Streets of Laredo is directed by Leslie Fenton, runs 94 minutes, is made and released by Paramount, is written by Elizabeth Hill, Louis Stevens, Charles Marquis Warren, King Vidor, is shot in Technicolor by Ray Rennahan, is produced by Robert Fellows, is scored by Victor Young and is designed by Hans Dreier and Harry Bumstead.

It was filmed between 13 July 1948 and 17 September 1948 at the Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood; Gallup, New Mexico; Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California; Melody Ranch, 24715 Oak Creek Avenue, Newhall, California; and Paramount Ranch, 2813 Cornell Road, Agoura, California.

Jay Livingston and Ray Evans provide new lyrics for the traditional song Streets of Laredo, sung by Dick Foote and chorus.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9220

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