Gun Packer

Shipments of gold bullion are disappearing from America's train lines. Assigned to apprehend those responsible, federal agent Jack Denton goes undercover as outlaw "Jack Drake". He discovers that the culprits are forcing missing scientist Professor Angel to assist them in their robberies. The kindly professor's heat ray turns the gold into liquid, making it easier for them to transport. Joining the gang, Jack almost escapes with the professor until the ringleader learns the G-Man's true identity. Now Jack and the professor may fall victim to the scientist's own invention...

An unusual Western with a sci-fi twist, Gun Packer stars Saturday Matinee favorite Jack Randall. Born Addison Randall, he began his career as a singing cowboy on the vaudeville stage. Monogram Pictures signed him in 1937, where he made a series of programmers including Wild Horse Canyon (1938), Covered Wagon Trails (1940) and Pioneer Days (1940). Though eclipsed in popularity by his brother, Bob Livingston, Jack was recognizable to children everywhere for his trademark triggerless twin .45s that could be only be fired by fanning the hammer. Jack wed his Gun Packer co-star, Louise Stanley, shortly after filming wrapped in Kernville, CA. Sadly, Jack died after suffering a fatal fall from a horse during the filming of the Universal serial The Royal Mounted Rides Again (1945).

PLUS: Desert Dangers (BW, 1935): The noted outdoorsman "Lonesome" Jack Allman braves the dangers of the desert in this vintage short subject. By the end of the film, he's hunting snakes in a nightgown and boxer shorts. "Don't try to imitate what might look easy to you in this picture!", warns the narrator.

The Spirit Of The Plains (BW, 1935): This short film uses scenes from big Hollywood pictures to illustrate the taming of the American West. Narrated by Gayne Whitman, who played Chandu the Magician on the radio.

• western