KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?

IslandGuru Who payed the critics

Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Aspen Orson There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

bkoganbing The Hopalong Cassidy series came a cropper with Dangerous Venture where Hoppy, Lucky, and California serve as security for an archaeological expedition. There have been artifacts showing up and rumors of a secret Indian tribe up in the hills that the white folks call Ghost Indians.It's Betty Alexander's expedition her dad was a good friend of Hoppy's but his health won't permit him to make the trip. She's got a colleague in Douglas Evans who's more interested in looting the treasures the Indians have as it is reputed they are remnants of Aztecs. The chief's son has the Indian name of Jose.This story was more silly than anything else and you know that as soon as Hopalong Cassidy was not on the scene this tribe would have been reduced to peonage. As it is some outlaw gang is using their territory to hide stolen cattle and the leader of the rustlers and the greedy archaeologist form an alliance of convenience.This was not one of the better entries in the series.

classicsoncall A couple other reviewers for this film make mention of the stunning scenery and I have to concur. I managed to catch a restored print of the movie and even though it's mostly rock formations, the cinematography just jumps out at you. In bold black and white, this is some of the best I've seen.Along with that, I really like the different kinds of adventures Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) gets involved in. This one has Hoppy and his pals California (Andy Clyde) and Lucky (Rand Brooks) taking part in an archaeological dig to find ancient Indian artifacts. However there's also gold involved, which sets up an alliance with crooked scientist Atwood (Douglas Evans) and cattle rancher Dan Morgan (Harry Cording). There are caves on Indian land that potentially hold a lot of gold, and Atwood needs Morgan's permission and guidance to cross his land and get to it. For his part, Morgan and his henchmen have been doing some cattle rustling and blaming it on the local tribe; his men dress up like Indians to pull their raids.This story could have meant big time trouble for California. For a while, the Indian chief Xeoli (Fritz Leiber) believed Hoppy's crew was after their gold and was going to make a human sacrifice of California! The stone altar and fire pit were a nice touch and was put to good use later on when Hoppy and the baddies got into a shooting match. Atwood took a spear from the Chief and landed right in it - ouch!Well there's never any doubt how these old time oaters end up, no matter who the cowboy hero is - Hoppy, Roy, Gene, Durango or any of a host of others. What I'd really like to know is - what does timber rattler soup taste like?

Paularoc Hoppy protects a young Indian boy who is being chased and unjustly accused of being the lookout for a band of rustlers since carved amulets are found after each rustling raid. As it happens, the young boy works for the archaeologist Dr. Sue Harmon (Betty Alexander). Doc Harmon and Hoppy are old friends and she persuades him and sidekicks California and Lucky to join in the archaeological dig. Unfortunately, a colleague of hers is no good and joins forces with the head of the rustling gang in a scheme to steal and then sell the Indian artifacts. The scenery in this movie is stunning and having an archaeology expedition as part of the story is refreshing – as is having a woman archaeologist. I was reminded again in seeing this movie how good Hoppy was in fist fights – they are so realistic (unlike fights in some B Westerns).

Tilly Gokbudak I just saw this flick today on the Westerns Channel. It is my first look at William Boyd aka Hopalong Cassidy. I have seen several other Western stars like Tom Mix, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry and I must saw from an early examination, Hoppy seems to be slightly more engaging than the others in his company. This B-movie is also helped by a supporting cast, which seems to remind one of the cast of "Stagecoach" with the likes of Andy Devine which to me made the movie as memorable as John Wayne's performance as Ringo. This is one of the best B-Westerns I've seen so far. Don't expect the intellectual depths of "Red River" or "The Searchers," but for a good time and a nice glimpse into what it must have been like to be a kid watching a serial in the 40s (long before my time), check this one out!