Trouble at Melody Mesa (1949) / Lightning Bill (1934) (DVD)

Westerns made up 25 percent of the films produced during Hollywood's Golden Age. With the studios releasing several a month, it was inevitable that not all of them would reach the high standards set by directors like John Ford and Raoul Walsh. In fact, the Western was most commonly a 'B' picture, a movie that was shown after the main, higher-budgeted attraction. What these films lacked in sophistication they more than made up for in thrills and excitement that kept many a moviegoer glued to their seat.

Trouble Melody Mesa (1949): Young Jimmy Shrum's father, owner of the Melody Mesa Ranch, dies under mysterious circumstances. Meanwhile, Jimmy's greedy Uncle Mark plots to take over the ranch. Jimmy will need the help of the heroic Marshal Brad to save the ranch and solve the mystery of his father's death.

Trouble at Melody Mesa was released by the obscure Poverty Row studio Three Crown Productions. Three Crown only released one other film, Swing, Cowboy, Swing (1946). Trouble at Melody Mesa itself was filmed in 1944, but went unreleased until 1949. The most recognizable member of the cast is I. Stanford Jolley, who plays Uncle Mark. Jolley spent most of his career playing supporting parts in B-westerns like Outlaws of Boulder Pass (1942) and Son of Billy the Kid (1952) and movie serials such as The Crimson Ghost (1946) and King of the Rocketmen (1949). Starring Brad King, I. Stanford Jolley and Lorraine Miller. Directed By W. Merle Connell.

Lightning Bill (1934): The villainous Landis suspects that there is treasure hidden on the Ross Ranch. He fabricates gambling debts to get the ranch's pretty owner Sally evicted. Heroic cowhand Bill steps in to fend off Landis and romance Sally at the same time.

Lightning Bill shows how quickly some 'B' Westerns were made. The title is misspelled as "Lighting Bill" in the opening credits, and the mistake was not caught until after the film had been released. Star Jay Wilsey had already made a name for himself as a top rodeo performer when Poverty Row producer Lester F. Scott hired him in 1924 to star in a series of Westerns. Billed as "Buffalo Bill, Jr." (even though he was no relation to the famous frontiersman William F. Cody), Wilsey starred in dozens of low budget westerns over the next ten years. Director Victor Adamson had previously produced and starred in a series of westerns as 'Art Mix' until popular cowboy actor Tom Mix sued him for copyright infringement. Starring Jay Wilsey and Alma Rayford. Directed By Victor Adamson.

• western