An outlaw gang is stealing land under the pretense that they are getting it for a railway in this serviceable Johnny Mack Brown western that has some twist and turns and the usual amiable Tex Ritter turning outlaw to fight injustice, but that doesn't stop him from singing some songs. Johnny Mack Brown plays the hero and does what is expected from: getting to the bottom of this crooked land scene.
Raiders of San Joaquin
1943
Action / Adventure / Music / Western
Plot summary
Crooked politician Gus Sloan (George Eldridge) , along with dry-goods store owner John Rogers (Henry Roquemore) and their henchmen are trying to grab up all the ranches in San Joaquin valley and blame their deeds on the A&M Railraod Company. After Sloan has acquired all the property, he plans to sell it at a high profit to an eastern syndicate for railroad right-of-way. Cattleman Jim Blake (Joseph Bernard),opposing Sloan, is murdered by crooked deputy Tanner (Carl Sepulveda),on Sloan's orders. Gil Blake (Tex Ritter),the murdered man's son, exacts revenge as he and his cowhands, Jimmy (Jimmy Wakely, Johnny (Johnnny Bond) and Scotty (Scotty Harrell),become fugitives by doing their best to help the lone rancher hold-out, Boduine Carter (Henry Hall) and his daughter Jane (Jennifer Holt). Enter "Rocky" Morgan, actually the son of the railroad owner, working undercover, and aids Gil and the Carters in there fight as the mysterious Black Rider. However, in doing so, to gain Sloan's trust in order to trap him, he alienates the people he has been sent to help.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 492.24 MB
1280*942
English 2.0
NR
Movie Reviews
Reviewed by
Raiders of Sam Joaquin
Reviewed by
Film Review
This 1943 entry from Universal rivals Republic for production values and entertainment value. Raiders of San Joaquin stars Johnny Mack Brown and Tex Ritter when both were in their prime, Director Lewis Collins gives both stars their lead and they are excellent. Brown plays the son of a railroad vice president sent by his father to find out why people are losing their ranches for railroad property rights. Ritter turns outlaw after his father is killed protecting their ranch. This is a change of pace for Ritter who usually plays a singing cowboy /lawman.In turn Brown sets out to find the mastermind that causing all the trouble for the ranchers.As for most of "b" westerns,everything is neatly wrapped up in about an hour. The movie features a capable supporting cast led by Fuzzy Knight as comic relief,Jennifer Holt,and the Jimmy Wakely Trio providing some nice singing. Tex Ritter was a very good singer with a warm baritone voice. He provides one nice song for the movie. The movie is lensed by William Sickner in fine fashion,and Hans Salter provides a rousing score.Lots of action and a good example of the "b" western genre from Universal Pictures.
Reviewed by
Two cowboy heroes for Jennifer Holt
Raiders Of San Joaquin finds Johnny Mack Brown, son of the railroad president doing a job of investigation. Rumors of trouble with railroad getting the right of way has brought Brown in incognito with friends Fuzzy Knight and the Jimmy Wakely Trio for musical interludes.
Tex Ritter and Jennifer Holt are the children of neighboring ranchers who are the last holdouts. When Ritter's father is killed he goes on a rampage.
The railroad's purchasing agent George Eldredge has gone into business on his own. And the one behind him is not the usual sort of villain one found in B westerns of the day.
And with two cowboy heroes it's not really clear who Jennifer Holt is going to wind up with. She's a winner either way.
B western fans will also approve.