Brand of the Devil (1944) / The Phantom Patrol (1936)

Molly Dawson, a pretty ranch owner, has been losing cattle to the mysterious Devil's Brand posse. The Texas Rangers go undercover to ferret out the identities of the gang members. But their involvement leads to Molly being captured. The Rangers must act quickly if they are to save the lovely young woman from a fate worse than death.

Brand of the Devil is the penultimate "Texas Rangers" film in which Dave O'Brien and Jim Newill co-starred. They first became a popular screen team when they appeared together in the "Renfrew of the Royal Mounted" series (1937-1940). O'Brien would make 22 "Texas Rangers" films for PRC (Newill was replaced by Tex Ritter after the 14th entry.) Along with O'Brien, comic relief Guy Wilkerson appeared in all 22 "Rangers" films. He went on to appear in such classic Westerns as The Big Sky (1952), Man of the West (1958) and True Grit (1969). I. Stanford Jolley spent most of his career playing supporting parts in "B" Westerns. Starring Dave O'brien, Jim Newill, Guy Wilkerson, I. Stanford Jolley, Kermit Maynard. Directed by Harry L. Fraser.

PLUS: PHANTOM PATROL (BW, 1936): "Dapper" Dan Geary, a notorious criminal, escapes to the wilds of Canada. Posing as a reclusive novelist, he begins romancing the pretty girlfriend of a Mountie, Jim McGregor. But McGregor is not so easily fooled, and sets a trap for the imposter.

Star Kermit Maynard started his Hollywood career after his brother Ken got him a job as a stuntman at First National Studios in 1927. Kermit's rugged good looks and athletic ability led to him soon being cast in a series of his own by Ambassador Pictures, in which he played a heroic sergeant in the Northwest Mounted Police. The series ended in 1937, after which he found regular work as a villain in scores of "B" Westerns, including Brand of the Devil. Starring Kermit Maynard, Joan Barclay, Paul Fix. Directed by Charles Hutchison.

• western