Cyclone Ranger (1935) / Stallion Canyon (1949) (DVD)

Cyclone Ranger (1935, B&W): On the run from the law, the Pecos Kid heads to Mexico where he poses as Juan, the long lost son of a blind landowner, Dona Castalar. The real Juan Castalar, a rustler, has been shot down by the sheriff. In an effort to go straight, the kid takes over as foreman, managing the ranch for his "mother," while protecting Senora Castalar from learning the tragic fate of her son. All is well until the Kid's former outlaw pal, Duke shows up, intent on blackmailing him. The Pecos Kid must stand by and allow him to steal Dona Castalar's entire herd, or Duke will turn him over to the law. Hollywood stunt man Bill Cody landed his first starring role in Dangerous Odds (1924). He was unrelated to "Buffalo Bill" Cody, but sharing his name certainly didn't harm his career. Cody starred in B-Western productions for three decades most notably Frontier Days (1934), The Vanishing Riders (1935) and Lawless Border (1935). Also stars Nena Quataro, Eddie Gribbon, Solidad Jimines, Earl Hodgins; directed by Bob Hill.

Stallion Canyon (1949, B&W): Tom Lawson's gunmen are sabotaging the roundup so that Aunt Millie will default on the mortgage and lose her ranch. During one of their raids, an innocent cowpuncher is murdered. The outlaws frame Little Bear, an innocent Indian. Aunt Millie's foreman, Curt Benson, has seen enough. Benson determines to clear the name of his friend, Little Bear, and get the evidence that will send Lawson and his gang to the gallows. After a stint with Tommy Dorsey, singer Ken Curtis would join the world's top western band of the 1940s, the Sons of The Pioneers, which would lead to several roles in B Westerns, and most notably, his role as Festus on the hit 1950s TV series, "Gunsmoke." Also stars Carolina Cotton, Shug Fisher, Forrest Taylor; directed by Harry L. Fraser.

• western