Pals of the Range (DVD)

Steve Barton is dedicated to making a success of his uncle's Circle Ranch, where his first job is to smash a gang of hombres who have devised an ingenious plan to steal his cattle. Circle Ranch cattle, each branded with a circle, are "disappearing" because Zed, foreman of the nearby Circle B Ranch, is branding a large "B" inside those circles to make them look like Circle B stock. With the help of an old prospector, Steve engages the outlaws in a battle that culminates when he and Zed go fist to fist in a bruising brawl.

The movie's star Rex Lease studied for the ministry and played a minister in his first film, then attained Western stardom playing fast-on-the-draw hero roles. Soon, however, Lease's drinking problems and a penchant for violence toward women prompted columnists to derisively dub him "The Parson with a Punch". Made before Lease's demons completely overtook him (and Hollywood relegated him to bit parts), Pals of the Range shows him at his white-hatted best, handsome, athletic and fearless... even in a saloon scrap with stunt great Yakima Canutt.

BONUS: Includes No More West (1934), starring Bert Lahr.

• western