Lost Canyon (1942)

Directed by Lesley Selander, Lost Canyon is a classic Hopalong Cassidy Western, starring William Boyd in his iconic role. Released by United Artists and produced by Harry Sherman, it’s the 46th film in the 66-title Hopalong Cassidy series and a scene-for-scene remake of Rustlers’ Valley (1937).

Plot Summary
Johnny Travers (Jay Kirby) is falsely accused of robbing a bank and flees into the hills. Believed to be dead after a dramatic cliff dive, he’s rescued by Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) and sidekick California Carlson (Andy Clyde). Together, they work to clear Johnny’s name and expose the real culprits behind the robbery. Expect shootouts, deception, and a final showdown where boulders become weapons.

Cast Highlights

• William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy
• Andy Clyde as California Carlson
• Jay Kirby as Johnny Travers
• Lola Lane as Laura Clark
• Douglas Fowley as Jeff Burton
• Herbert Rawlinson, Guy Usher, and Karl Hackett in supporting roles
• Features The Sportsmen Quartet as singing cowhands, adding musical flair

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• The film’s plot and dialogue closely mirror Rustlers’ Valley, with only character names and actors changed
• Originally produced for Paramount, the film was sold to United Artists for release
• One of 54 Hopalong Cassidy features produced by Harry Sherman, later purchased by William Boyd for national TV syndication starting in 1948
• These syndicated versions were edited to 54 minutes to fit hour-long TV slots, but were later restored to full length with original credits thanks to Boyd’s widow, Grace Bradley
• Actor George Reeves claimed credit for appearing in the film, but no evidence supports his involvement