The Wyoming Bandit (1949)
Directed by Philip Ford and released on July 15, 1949, The Wyoming Bandit is an American B-Western produced and distributed by Republic Pictures. Written by M. Coates Webster, the film stars Allan “Rocky” Lane, Eddy Waller, and Trevor Bardette, alongside Lane’s famous equine co-star, his stallion Black Jack. Clocking in at a brisk 60 minutes, the film is a classic example of Saturday matinee cowboy entertainment that focuses purely on action and justice.
Plot Overview
The legendary outlaw Wyoming Dan (Trevor Bardette) has spent the last 20 years living quietly in hiding to evade the law and pay his debt to society. However, when he receives word that his son has been murdered, Dan comes out of retirement, determined to seek vengeance against the killers.
Meanwhile, straight-shooting U.S. Marshal Rocky Lane (Allan Lane) and his old-timer sidekick Nugget Clark (Eddy Waller) are investigating the exact same gang responsible for the killing. In an unlikely and uneasy alliance, the noble aging outlaw and the stalwart lawman team up. To infiltrate the villain’s heavily armed lair, Rocky must alter his squeaky-clean persona and pose as a hardened gunman. Their partnership leads to a tense showdown as they attempt to bring the true culprits to justice.
Cast
- Allan Lane as U.S. Marshal Rocky Lane
- Eddy Waller as Nugget Clark
- Trevor Bardette as Wyoming Dan
- Black Jack as Black Jack (Rocky’s Horse)
- Victor Kilian as Ross Tyler
- Rand Brooks as Jimmy Howard
- William Haade as Henchman Lonnigan
Production Notes & Trivia
- The film is notable for being one of the few Republic “B” Westerns with absolutely no leading lady or romantic subplot, allowing the 60-minute runtime to focus entirely on the revenge narrative and gunplay
- Director Philip Ford was a highly prolific director of B-Westerns and television shows, and the nephew of legendary, multi-Oscar-winning filmmaker John Ford
- Allan Lane transitioned to the “Rocky” Lane persona after finishing his run as the popular comic strip hero Red Ryder; his horse, formerly named “Thunder” in the Ryder films, was renamed Black Jack for this lengthy series of Republic pictures
- Co-star Eddy Waller was a staple of the “Rocky” Lane franchise, playing the comedic and loyal sidekick “Nugget Clark” in over 30 films alongside Lane
- In a charming quirk of the era’s marketing, Black Jack the horse was officially billed in the opening credits as playing himself
