Bob Steele Double Feature: Headin' North (1930) / Pinto Canyon (1940)

Bob Steele was one of the most popular cowboy actors during the Golden Age of Hollywood, starring in over 100 Westerns in the 1930s and 1940s. Born Bob Bradbury, Jr., he began his career in the silent era co-starring along with his twin brother Bill in The Adventures of Bill and Bob series of short subjects (1920-1922). Before long, Bob struck out on his own and changed his surname to the more heroic-sounding "Steele" with 1927's The Mojave Kid. He is perhaps best known for starring in PRC's Billy the Kid series (he would later cede the role to Buster Crabbe.) A versatile actor, Steele also appeared as Curley in Of Mice and Men (1939) and a hitman in The Big Sleep (1946).

Headin' North (BW, 1930): Jim Curtis, a fugitive from the law, is doggedly pursued by U.S. Marshals. But the lawmen are unaware that Jim was wrongfully framed for extortion, and escaped from jail to catch the real criminal. Coming upon a kindly rancher looking for help, Snicker Kimball, Jim takes a job under an assumed name. When the Marshal arrives at the ranch looking for the escapee, Jim is forced to reveal himself to Snicker. The two men vow to bring the man who framed Jim to justice, even if it costs them both their freedom. Starring Bob Steele. Directed by J.P. McCarthy.

Pinto Canyon (BW, 1940): Sheriff Bob Hall is discredited after being unable to stop a rash of cattle thefts. Unbeknownst to the beleaguered lawman, the man leading the charge against him, District Attorney Farley, is secretly the leader of the cattle rustlers. The crooked D.A. appoints one of his gang as Bob's deputy in order to silence the meddlesome sheriff once and for all. Starring Bob Steele, Kenne Duncan. Directed by Raymond K. Johnson.

• western