Lawless Plainsmen (1942)

A classic 1942 B-Western pitting a ranch foreman and his partner against a scheming outlaw in a frontier saloon showdown.

Lawless Plainsmen - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Lawless Plainsmen
  • Release Year: 1942
  • Directed by: William Berke
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Western
  • Runtime: 59m
  • Original Language: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): March 17, 1942 (United States)
  • Production Companies: Columbia Pictures
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Lawless Plainsmen - Plot

In this western, a ranch foreman and the bosses son go to a saloon to slake their thirst and find themselves in the midst of a battle started by the feisty saloon owner's wicked ex-husband who loots the safe in the ensuing scuffle.

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Lawless Plainsmen - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • William Berke

Main Cast

  • Charles Starrett
  • Russell Hayden
  • Luana Walters
  • Cliff Edwards
  • Ray Bennett
  • Gwen Kenyon
  • Frank LaRue
  • Stanley Brown
  • Nick Thompson
  • Eddie Laughton

Writers

  • Luci Ward

Lawless Plainsmen - FAQs

Who are the main actors in Lawless Plainsmen?

The film stars Charles Starrett as ranch foreman Steve Rideen and Russell Hayden as 'Lucky' Bannon. Luana Walters plays Baltimore Bonnie Dixon, the spirited saloon owner at the center of the story, while Cliff Edwards adds comic relief as Harmony Stubbs.

What is Lawless Plainsmen about?

A ranch foreman and his boss's son stop at a saloon for a drink and find themselves caught up in a violent confrontation. The trouble is stirred up by the saloon owner's scheming ex-husband, who uses the chaos of the brawl as cover to rob the safe.

When was Lawless Plainsmen released?

Lawless Plainsmen was released on March 17, 1942, in the United States. It was produced by Columbia Pictures and directed by William Berke, arriving during the golden era of B-Western serials that kept Saturday matinee audiences thoroughly entertained.

Who directed Lawless Plainsmen?

William Berke directed Lawless Plainsmen. Berke was a prolific Hollywood director who helmed numerous low-budget Westerns and action pictures throughout the 1940s and 1950s, making him a reliable hand at delivering fast-paced, crowd-pleasing genre entertainment.

How long is Lawless Plainsmen?

Lawless Plainsmen runs for 59 minutes. Like many B-Westerns of its era, it keeps things lean and brisk, packing saloon showdowns, frontier intrigue, and plenty of action into just under an hour — perfect for a classic double-feature matinee.

What are some movies similar to Lawless Plainsmen?

If you enjoy Lawless Plainsmen, you might also like Utah Wagon Train (1951), Wheels of Destiny (1934), The Oregon Trail (1959), Silverado (1985), and Chisum (1970). For more modern takes on the genre, The Harder They Fall (2021) and Old Henry (2021) are well worth a watch.

Who wrote the screenplay for Lawless Plainsmen?

The screenplay for Lawless Plainsmen was written by Luci Ward. Ward was a seasoned writer of Western serials and B-pictures during Hollywood's golden age, contributing scripts to numerous Columbia Pictures productions throughout the 1940s.

Is Lawless Plainsmen a classic B-Western?

Absolutely. Lawless Plainsmen is a textbook example of the B-Western format that thrived in 1940s Hollywood. Produced by Columbia Pictures with a tight runtime and a dependable duo in Starrett and Hayden, it delivered exactly the frontier thrills that Saturday matinee audiences craved.

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