Sunset Pass (1946)

Though there’s nothing special about the production here, there’s a little more to the story. It’s all about a robbery and then an hoofprint as “Rocky” (James Warren) and “Chito” (John Laurenz) follow a red-hot trail before the former man is shot. Luckily for him, “Ash” (Robert Clarke) who just happens to be an old, criminal, acquaintance is on hand and helps him recover. He also agrees to also help him clear his name with his erstwhile buddies by letting him work with “Chito” to return the loot. Unfortunately, ruthless gang member “Cinnabar” (Harry Woods) has his own plans for an even more audacious crime and nobody is safe from his marauding gang if they try to get in his way. I could have done without the obligatory numbers from both “Rocky” and from the slightly more tuneful “Lolita” (Jane Greer) as well as the unnecessary and distracting romance between “Rocky” and “Jane” (Nan Preston) but otherwise it crams quite a lot into an hour with decent chunks of action and even the odd light-hearted moment, too. Perhaps a little less preamble at the start and it would be better, but as it is, it’s at the better end of these Zane Grey adaptations and quite an easy watch.