OLD OVERLAND TRAIL

One spiffy cowboy: Rex Allen 

OLD OVERLAND TRAIL (1953). Director: William Witney. 

Cowboy Rex Allen (Rex Allen) finds himself caught in a war between Indians, led by Black Hawk (Leonard Nimoy), and a pack of immigrants who travelled a long distance to settle in the area, Pouring fuel on the fire is slimy John Anchor (Roy Barcroft), who does his best to take advantage of everyone that he can, Indians and settlers alike. Rex' brother, Jim (Gil Herman), is Anchor's partner, and Rex and Jim come to blows when the former realizes that the latter is going along with Anchor's schemes. Then Jim is found dead, and Anchor sends Black Mask and his scouts out to bring back Rex -- as his brother's murderer!

Rex battles a pre-Star Trek Leonard Nimoy

Rex Allen was another handsome Republic Studios cowboy star -- along with Roy Rogers, Allan Lane, Monte Hale and others -- and he was at the time quite popular, and also had his own comic book series for several years. Attractive, competent and personable, Allen didn't quite have the charisma of Rogers, at least in this flick, but he could punch out the bad guys with the best of them. Slim Pickens, also playing himself, was Allen's comical partner in this and many other movies, and Allen had his own "not-so-wondrous" wonder horse in Koko. Gil Herman was another handsome dude who distinguished himself during WW2 service, while Virginia Hall (as Jim's gal pal, Mary) appeared only in this one western and had a few other minor credits.

Gil Herman, Rex Allen, Roy Barcroft

Rex Allen started out as a singer and had a rich baritone voice that reminds one a bit of Bing Crosby. In Old Overland Trail he gives splendid renditions of "Just a Wandrin' Buckeroo," "Cowboy's Dream of Heaven," and others. Rex is backed up by the Republic Rhythm Riders singing group. Directed by serial specialist William Witney, Old Overland Trail has plenty of exciting fisticuffs along with a sequence when Indians circle and attack a wagon train. The two brothers also have a rousing battle. Serial star Marshall Reed appears briefly as a sergeant. Reed and Barcroft both appeared in The James Brothers of Missouri. 

Verdict: With plenty of songs and punches, this is a good example of why Rex Allen became so popular. **3/4.