Cowboy Rarities of the Thirties: Code of the Fearless (1939) / Songs and Saddles (1938)

Code of the Fearless (1939, B&W): Texas Ranger Fred Jamison is closing in on the Skull Mesa Gang. In retaliation, they steal his white stallion and stage a bank robbery, making sure that witnesses spot Jamison's horse as they make their getaway. Implicated in the robbery and drummed out of the Rangers, Jamison convinces gang boss Red Kane to let him join the outlaw band. Suspicious of Jamison's intentions, Kane lures the ousted ranger into a death trap.

Genial singing cowboy Fred Scott appeared in twenty-four films from 1926 to 1942. After he retired from his Hollywood film career, Scott's exceptional singing ability landed him the job of resident baritone with the San Francisco Opera Company.

Starring Fred Scott, John Merton, Claire Rochelle; Directed by Bernard B. Ray.

Songs And Saddles (1938, B&W): Crooked banker George Morrow leads a criminal conspiracy to sieze control of Pop Turner's ranch. Pop is unaware that a highway is slated to run through his property, and Morrow orders his men to kill the rancher before he finds out about the construction. Ambushed and left for dead, Pop must seek protection from his adopted son, radio star Gene Austin. With most of the town on Morrow's payroll, Austin's hopes of helping the man who raised him look mighty slim.

Accompanying himself on piano rather than the usual guitar, Gene Austin wasn't a typical cowboy crooner. In addition to his western work, he also appeared in W.C. Fields' 1940 hit, My Little Chickadee.

Starring Gene Austin, Karl Hackett, John Merton; Directed by Harry L. Fraser.

• western