The Blocked Trail

Boots and saddle fans will find ‘The Blocked Trail', latest Three Mesquiteers western, in the groove for their enjoyment, Plot introduces an educated dwarfed horse, who holds the secret of a missing mine, to give novel twist to standard plot, and the lead trio ride, shoot and fight in the accepted manner to defeat the evildoers.

The Three Mesquiteers have a time trying to keep the sheriff off their respective necks while solving the western range mystery. A blind crackpot miner, owner of a mustang, is murdered, apparently leaving no trace of his rich gold mine. A respected town lawyer keeps his henchmen busy stealing and losing dwarf mustang, believing nag has the clue to the gold. Henchmen throw in an extra few murders, all of which are fastened onto the hero trio, but boys finally land right side up when horse leads way to mine and helps expose the lawyer's dirty deeds.

Brilliant, the miniature horse, proves key member of cast, displaying educational stunts that are a cinch for the kids. Script by John K. Butler and Jacquin Franks also tosses in a phony Indian and his squaw for additional chuckles. Helen Deverell is the heroine. George Lewis does okay by suspect role which later proves him okay. Charles Miller is the villain and others in standard western cast include Walter Soderling, Hal Price, Kermit Maynard, Pierce Lyden and Bud Geary.

They've packed a larger amount of comedy in ‘The Blocked Trail' than is usually to be found in Western product. And it pays off for a hit in Louis Gray's entertaining production of the latest Three Mesquiteers release. The whole affair adds up to an enjoyable laugh show, with enough fast riding and fists under Elmer Clifton's direction to satisfy the straight action fans.

The story features a remarkable dwarfed horse, named Brilliant. The little animal has been the constant companion of an eccentric miner whose murder gets the plot underway, Immediately, everyone tries to gain possession of the horse for reasons later revealed. It turns out that the miner has been afflicted with blindness and has used the pony in the manner of a seeing-eye dog. The horse, therefore, knows the location of the hidden mine.

The Three Mesquiteers ride by just in time to be accused of the murder. They are kept busy slipping into and out of the hands of the sheriff until the actual guilty party is discovered. Meanwhile, Jimmie Dodd makes friends with Brilliant and puts the little one through trick paces that delight the younger portion of the audience. Then, too, there is a swell running gag with a phony Indian.

The performances of Steele, Tyler and Dodd are top grade, Dodd faring slightly the better of the trio because of his comedy routines. Helen Deverell serves pleasantly as the heroine, and George Lewis wins himself a healthy credit as a stagecoach driver. Charles Miller's attorney is another good job, and Earle Hodgins makes that Indian faker of his a joy. Photography by Bud Thackery goes mighty black in some night sequences, but is otherwise able.

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