Call of the Forest (DVD)

After years of futile searching, Bob Brand discovers the map to a legendary lost gold mine. His neighbor Sam Harrison learns of Bob's good fortune and plots to steal the document to get the riches for himself. Harrison guns down Brand with the prospector's son, Bobby, looking on in horror. A fire surges into the surrounding forest as Harrison chases the boy with guns blazing, intent on killing the only witness to his crime.

The star of Call of the Forest, Ken Curtis, began his career as a singer, performing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (as Frank Sinatra's replacement!) and later as one of the Sons of the Pioneers. He took up acting in the mid-1940s as a singing cowboy and even produced two sci-fi hits in 1959 (The Killer Shrews and The Giant Gila Monster). He is best remembered today for his 250-episode tenure as Festus in the popular "Gunsmoke" TV series (1955-1975). Co-star Robert Lowery portrayed the Caped Crusader in the 1949 Batman and Robin serial, and later starred as Big Tim Champion on the TV series, "Circus Boy" (1956-1957). Chief Thundercloud was also a revered screen hero, having starred as Tonto in the 1938 Lone Ranger serial.

• western