"Mystery Ranch" ventures into somewhat different territory than your typical land grab plots that B Westerns of the Thirties and Forties were noted for. Robert Morris (Tom Tyler) is a back East writer of Wild West pulp stories who gets an invitation from the owners of a 'real' ranch so he could write about and create some publicity for it, thereby bringing in some much needed income. Figuring they needed to liven up the place for Morris' benefit, the Hendersons (Louise Cabo as Ma Henderson and Roberta Gale as daughter Mary) involve their ranch hands in designing some stunts to match his pulp stories. Early on, Morris is treated to a hanging for a cattle rustler, a runaway buckboard, and a bucking bronco ride, all of which he manages masterfully. I was impressed in particular with Tyler's handling of the runaway with that 'Roman Ride' as Mary called it. I haven't heard that term used before, but it did have that Ben-Hur quality made famous by stunt man extraordinaire Yakina Canutt. I didn't see Yak's name in the crew listing, but his influence was all over the place.
The story plays out when a real robbery of gold bullion takes place. Morris and his publicity guy Percival Jenkins (Frank Hall Crane) witness the holdup and figure it's another one of the gags. The story goes into the old cross and double cross as the pair try to put one over on the Hendersons, while ranch hand Sam (Charles King) eyes a quick payday by grabbing the gold for himself and escaping into Mexico. Through it all, Mary Henderson winds up falling for good guy Morris in one of those typical kiss and fade endings. Surprisingly, it was never explained how Morris acquired all those great skills he showed throughout the picture, being just a writer and all.
If the plot sounds familiar, you might be thinking of Abbott and Costello's treatment of the same theme in 1953's "Ride 'Em Cowboy". In that one, Dick Foran portrays a writer who's Western exploits grew larger than life. Having to prove himself, he takes a stab at dude ranch life and competes in the annual rodeo with the comic duo. Veteran screen cowboy Johnny Mack Brown was also on hand for that picture.
The story plays out when a real robbery of gold bullion takes place. Morris and his publicity guy Percival Jenkins (Frank Hall Crane) witness the holdup and figure it's another one of the gags. The story goes into the old cross and double cross as the pair try to put one over on the Hendersons, while ranch hand Sam (Charles King) eyes a quick payday by grabbing the gold for himself and escaping into Mexico. Through it all, Mary Henderson winds up falling for good guy Morris in one of those typical kiss and fade endings. Surprisingly, it was never explained how Morris acquired all those great skills he showed throughout the picture, being just a writer and all.
If the plot sounds familiar, you might be thinking of Abbott and Costello's treatment of the same theme in 1953's "Ride 'Em Cowboy". In that one, Dick Foran portrays a writer who's Western exploits grew larger than life. Having to prove himself, he takes a stab at dude ranch life and competes in the annual rodeo with the comic duo. Veteran screen cowboy Johnny Mack Brown was also on hand for that picture.