West of Cheyenne (1931) / Rawhide Mail (1934) (DVD)

Lafe Langdon, an elderly rancher, is found standing over the dead body of a rival with whom he was involved in a dispute. Accused of murder, he writes to his son, Tom, from prison, asking for help in clearing in his name. Tom learns that the real culprit is an outlaw known only as "The Laramie Kid", who is holed up in Ghost City, a refuge for crooks on the lam. Tom disguises himself as an outlaw to gain entrance into this criminals' den in a desperate attempt to catch the man who framed his father.

After driving a chariot in the silent version of Ben-Hur (1925), Tom Tyler began appearing in Western features and serials. The former weightlifting champion (said to have hoisted an astonishing 760 lbs.) possessed a natural athletic strength and grace that made him a fan favorite. In 1940, he terrified audiences as the monster Kharis, in The Mummy's Hand. A year later he reached the zenith of his popularity in the title role in The Adventures of Captain Marvel. In addition to his starring roles in "B" movies, he appeared in major studio film productions including Stagecoach (1939), Drums Along The Mohawk (1939), The Westerner (1940), Red River (1948) and She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1949).

PLUS: RAWHIDE MAIL (BW, 1934): Pretty saloon keeper Nora Hastings is swindled by unscrupulous tycoon Hal Drummond. Learning of her misfortune, lawman Jack Reed starts investigating Drummond's illicit activities. But Jack gets more than he bargained for when the robber baron frames him for murder. This rare Western stars Jack Perrin, best known as "Bud" in the "Bud 'n' Ben" series released by Reliable Pictures. Jimmy Aubrey, who worked with Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy, provides comic relief. Directed by B.B. Ray.

• western