Silver Trails (1948)

A fast-paced B-Western uncovering land fraud and frontier corruption in early California, starring singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely.

Silver Trails - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Silver Trails
  • Release Year: 1948
  • Directed by: Christy Cabanne
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Western
  • Age Rating (US): NR
  • Runtime: 53m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): August 21, 1948 (United States - NR)
  • Production Companies: Monogram Pictures
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Silver Trails - Plot

Jimmy and Cannonball find the body of Don Muquel after he has been shot and robbed by henchmen Ramsay and Sturgis. Jimmy is accused of the crime by Jose Esteban but the latter's rich uncle, Don Esteban, clears his friend Jimmy. Jose accuses the settlers, led by John Chambers, of confiscating the land of the native Californians, through murder and theft. Actually, surveyor Willard Jackson is making forged copies of stolen land-grant papers after his men have killed the rightful owners. Playing both ends against the middle, Ramsay urges Chambers and his daughter, Diane, to drive off the Californians.

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Silver Trails - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Christy Cabanne

Main Cast

  • Jimmy Wakely
  • Dub Taylor
  • Christine Larson
  • George J. Lewis
  • George Meeker
  • Pierce Lyden
  • William Bailey
  • Connie Asins
  • Fred L. Edwards
  • Robert Strange

Writers

  • J. Benton Cheney

Silver Trails - FAQs

Where can you watch Silver Trails online?

Silver Trails (1948) is a public domain film and may be available on free streaming platforms such as YouTube, Tubi, or the Internet Archive. You can also check JustWatch for a comprehensive list of current streaming and rental options available in your region.

What is Silver Trails about?

Silver Trails follows cowboys Jimmy and Cannonball as they stumble upon a murder and uncover a corrupt land fraud scheme in early California. A crooked surveyor is forging stolen land-grant papers after killing rightful owners, while a scheming henchman plays settlers and native Californians against each other.

Who are the main actors in Silver Trails?

Silver Trails stars Jimmy Wakely as Jimmy and Dub Taylor as his comic sidekick Cannonball. The supporting cast includes Christine Larson as Diane Chambers, George J. Lewis as José Esteban, George Meeker as the villainous surveyor Will Jackson, and Pierce Lyden as the scheming henchman Ramsay.

Who directed Silver Trails?

Silver Trails was directed by Christy Cabanne, a prolific Hollywood filmmaker with a career stretching back to the silent era. Cabanne directed numerous B-Westerns and genre pictures throughout the 1940s, and Silver Trails stands as one of his later works produced by Monogram Pictures.

When was Silver Trails released?

Silver Trails was released on August 21, 1948, in the United States. It was produced by Monogram Pictures and is rated NR (Not Rated), as formal content rating systems were not yet standardized at the time of its theatrical release.

How long is the Silver Trails runtime?

Silver Trails has a runtime of 53 minutes, which was typical for B-Western programmers of the 1940s. These shorter features were designed to fill double-bill slots at movie theaters, offering fast-paced action and straightforward storytelling within a compact running time.

Is Silver Trails based on a true story?

Silver Trails is not based on a specific true story. However, its plot touches on historically resonant themes, including the disputed land grants of early California and conflicts between Anglo settlers and native Californians, issues that were very real during the post-Mexican-American War period in California history.

What are some movies similar to Silver Trails?

Fans of Silver Trails may enjoy other classic and revisionist Westerns such as Shane (1953), El Dorado (1966), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), Pale Rider (1985), Little Big Man (1970), and They Call Me Trinity (1970), all of which explore frontier justice, land disputes, and Western adventure.

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