King of the Texas Rangers: Difference between revisions
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| cinematography = [[Reggie Lanning]] |
| cinematography = [[Reggie Lanning]] |
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| distributor = [[Republic Pictures]] |
| distributor = [[Republic Pictures]] |
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| released = {{ |
| released = {{flagu|United States}} 4 October 1941 ''(serial)''<ref name="mathis">{{cite book |
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| last = Mathis |
| last = Mathis |
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| first = Jack |
| first = Jack |
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| pages = 3, 10, 56–57 |
| pages = 3, 10, 56–57 |
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| chapter = |
| chapter = |
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}}</ref><br />{{ |
}}</ref><br />{{flagu|United States}} Early 1950s ''(TV)''<ref name="mathis" /> |
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| runtime = 12 chapters (215 minutes) ''(serial)''<ref name="mathis" /><br />6 26½-minute episodes ''(TV)''<ref name="mathis" /> |
| runtime = 12 chapters (215 minutes) ''(serial)''<ref name="mathis" /><br />6 26½-minute episodes ''(TV)''<ref name="mathis" /> |
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| country = {{ |
| country = {{flagu|United States}} |
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| language = |
| language = English |
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| budget = $138,536 ([[negative cost]]: $139,701)<ref name="mathis" /> |
| budget = $138,536 ([[negative cost]]: $139,701)<ref name="mathis" /> |
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| awards = |
| awards = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''King of the Texas Rangers''''' ( |
'''''King of the Texas Rangers''''' (1941) is a [[Republic Pictures|Republic]] [[Serial (film)|film serial]]. |
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''King of the Texas Rangers'' is slightly [[anachronistic]] in that it features a mix of period western and modern elements, which was not unknown in the B-Western films also produced by Republic. In this case, [[Cowboy]]s vs. [[Nazism|Nazis]]. Although the serial's plot involves Nazi agents in [[Texas]], this serial predates America's entry into |
''King of the Texas Rangers'' is slightly [[anachronistic]] in that it features a mix of period western and modern elements, which was not unknown in the B-Western films also produced by Republic. In this case, [[Cowboy]]s vs. [[Nazism|Nazis]]. Although the serial's plot involves Nazi agents in [[Texas]], this serial predates America's entry into World War II. The Nazis are never named as such but it is strongly implied within the serial |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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In the opinions of Harmon and Glut, this serial contains "one of the greatest cliffhangers of all time." King (Baugh) jumps onto a speeding train and gets into the engine cab just as the train enters a tunnel in a mountain. The villains detonate explosives causing a landslide at the other end of the tunnel. In the resolution, Baugh yells "Open that throttle!" and the train shoots out of the tunnel to safety.<ref name="GMS" /> |
In the opinions of Harmon and Glut, this serial contains "one of the greatest cliffhangers of all time." King (Baugh) jumps onto a speeding train and gets into the engine cab just as the train enters a tunnel in a mountain. The villains detonate explosives causing a landslide at the other end of the tunnel. In the resolution, Baugh yells "Open that throttle!" and the train shoots out of the tunnel to safety.<ref name="GMS" /> |
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Republic liked calling their heroes "King" in order to use the title "King of..." The studio had found success with this naming scheme following the adaptation of [[Zane |
Republic liked calling their heroes "King" in order to use the title "King of..." The studio had found success with this naming scheme following the adaptation of [[Zane Grey]]'s ''[[King of the Royal Mounted (serial)|King of the Royal Mounted]]''.<ref>{{cite book |
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| last = Harmon |
| last = Harmon |
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| first = Jim |
| first = Jim |
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{{start box}} |
{{start box}} |
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{{succession box |
{{succession box |
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| title=[[Republic Pictures|Republic]] [[Serial |
| title=[[Republic Pictures|Republic]] [[Serial film|Serial]] |
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| before=[[Jungle Girl ( |
| before=[[Jungle Girl (serial)|Jungle Girl]] (1941) |
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| years='''King of the Texas Rangers ( |
| years='''King of the Texas Rangers (1941)''' |
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| after=[[Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc.]] ( |
| after=[[Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc.]] (1941)}} |
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{{succession box |
{{succession box |
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| title=[[William Witney|Witney]]-[[John English (director)|English]] [[Serial |
| title=[[William Witney|Witney]]-[[John English (director)|English]] [[Serial film|Serial]] |
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| before=[[Jungle Girl ( |
| before=[[Jungle Girl (serial)|Jungle Girl]] (1941) |
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| years='''King of the Texas Rangers ( |
| years='''King of the Texas Rangers (1941)''' |
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| after=[[Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc.]] ( |
| after=[[Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc.]] (1941)}} |
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{{end}} |
{{end}} |
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Revision as of 11:12, 15 December 2013
| King of the Texas Rangers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | William Witney John English |
| Written by | Ronald Davidson Norman S. Hall William Lively Joseph O'Donnell Joseph Poland |
| Produced by | Hiram S. Brown Jr |
| Starring | "Slingin' Sammy Baugh" Neil Hamilton Pauline Moore Duncan Renaldo Charles Trowbridge Herbert Rawlinson Frank Darien Rudolph Anders |
| Cinematography | Reggie Lanning |
| Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
Release dates |  United States 4 October 1941 (serial)[1] United States Early 1950s (TV)[1] |
Running time | 12 chapters (215 minutes) (serial)[1] 6 26½-minute episodes (TV)[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $138,536 (negative cost: $139,701)[1] |
King of the Texas Rangers (1941) is a Republic film serial.
King of the Texas Rangers is slightly anachronistic in that it features a mix of period western and modern elements, which was not unknown in the B-Western films also produced by Republic. In this case, Cowboys vs. Nazis. Although the serial's plot involves Nazi agents in Texas, this serial predates America's entry into World War II. The Nazis are never named as such but it is strongly implied within the serial
Plot
When Tom King's Texas Ranger father is shot dead by Nazi saboteurs, he leaves college and joins the Texas Rangers himself. Shortly he is given the mission of avenging his father's death and defeating the foreign agents.
King teams up with Sally Crane, a reporter who witnessed his father's murder, and Mexican officer Pedro Garcia, who shares an interest as the agents are working across the border in both countries.
Cast
- "Slingin' Sammy Baugh" as Ranger Tom King Jr
- Neil Hamilton as John Barton/Felix Hauptman
- Pauline Moore as Sally Crane
- Duncan Renaldo as Lt Pedro Garcia
- Charles Trowbridge as Robert Crawford
- Herbert Rawlinson as Colonel Lee Avery
- Frank Darien as Pop Evans
- Rudolph Anders as His Excellency
- Jack Ingram as Shorty
Production
King of the Texas Rangers was budgeted at $138,536 although the final negative cost was $139,701 (a $1,165, or 0.8%, overspend). It was the cheapest Republic serial of 1941.[1]
It was filmed between 17 June and 18 July 1941.[1] The serial's production number was 996.[1]
Other actors were curious and sceptical about footballer Sammy Baugh as the lead in a sort of western. However, according to co-star Kenne Duncan, Baugh turned out to be a good horseman (he was raised on a ranch in Texas), took direction well and learned about acting quickly.[2]
In the opinions of Harmon and Glut, this serial contains "one of the greatest cliffhangers of all time." King (Baugh) jumps onto a speeding train and gets into the engine cab just as the train enters a tunnel in a mountain. The villains detonate explosives causing a landslide at the other end of the tunnel. In the resolution, Baugh yells "Open that throttle!" and the train shoots out of the tunnel to safety.[2]
Republic liked calling their heroes "King" in order to use the title "King of..." The studio had found success with this naming scheme following the adaptation of Zane Grey's King of the Royal Mounted.[3][4]
Release
Theatrical
King of the Texas Rangers' official release date is 4 October 1941, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to film exchanges.[1]
Television
In the early 1950s, King of the Texas Rangers was one of fourteen Republic serials edited into a television series. It was broadcast in six 26½-minute episodes.[1]
Chapter titles
- The Fifth Column Strikes (29min 11s)
- Dead End (17min 42s)
- Manhunt (16min 42s)
- Trapped (17min 9s)
- Test Flight (16min 40s)
- Double Danger (16min 30s)
- Death Takes the Witness (16min 43s)
- Counterfeit Trail (16min 48s)
- Ambush (16min 48s)
- Sky Raiders (16min 51s)
- Trail of Death (16min 40s)
- Code of the Rangers (16min 47s)
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mathis, Jack. Valley of the Cliffhangers Supplement. Jack Mathis Advertising. pp. 3, 10, 56–57. ISBN 0-9632878-1-8.
- ^ a b Harmon, Jim. "5. Real Life Heroes "Just Strangle the Lion in Your Usual Way"". The Great Movie Serials: Their Sound and Fury. Routledge. pp. 116, 119. ISBN 978-0-7130-0097-9.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Harmon, Jim. "11. New Masks for New Heroes "Get That Masked Trouble Maker"". The Great Movie Serials: Their Sound and Fury. Routledge. p. 283. ISBN 978-0-7130-0097-9.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Cline, William C. "2. In Search of Ammunition". In the Nick of Time. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 23. ISBN 0-7864-0471-X.
- ^ Cline, William C. "Filmography". In the Nick of Time. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 231. ISBN 0-7864-0471-X.
External links
- King of the Texas Rangers at IMDb
- King of the Texas Rangers at AllMovie
- King of the Texas Rangers at Todd Gault's Movie Serial Experience
