Watch Call of the Prairie

Call of the Prairie is a 1936 Western film directed by David Howard and starring William Boyd, James Ellison, and Muriel Evans. Set in the Wild West, the film tells the story of Hopalong Cassidy, a cowboy who finds himself in the middle of a criminal scheme while trying to help his friend, Johnny Travers. The film opens up with Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) and his loyal sidekick, California Carlson (Andy Clyde), riding toward the town of Mesa City. Hopalong has been sent to investigate a series of train robberies that have been plaguing the town. When the duo reaches the town, they soon discover that Johnny Travers (James Ellison), a friend of Hopalong's, is in trouble. Travers, who is the son of a prominent rancher, has been accused of the train robberies and is in jail awaiting trial. Hopalong offers to help clear Travers' name and sets out to find the real culprits.

As the story unfolds, Hopalong learns that there is more to the train robberies than meets the eye. He discovers that the real mastermind behind the robberies is none other than Travers' own stepmother, who is planning to run off with the loot and leave Travers to take the blame. To make matters worse, Travers' own father is in on the scheme.

With the help of California and a local newspaper reporter, Hopalong sets out to expose the truth and clear Travers' name. Along the way, the trio faces many challenges, including shootouts, horseback chases, and jail breaks. The tension builds as Hopalong races against time to uncover the truth before Travers is sent to the gallows.

One standout scene in the film is a thrilling chase sequence in which Hopalong and California ride furiously through the desert after the robbers. The chase is expertly filmed, with stunning landscapes and exciting stunts. The scene serves as a prime example of the high quality action scenes that were a hallmark of Westerns of the era.

Another highlight of the film is the chemistry between Boyd and Ellison. The two actors have excellent on-screen presence and play off each other well. Boyd, who was a veteran of the Western genre, delivers a strong performance as Hopalong Cassidy, while Ellison is equally impressive as Travers. Muriel Evans also delivers a solid performance as the wise-cracking reporter who joins Hopalong and California on their quest for justice.

Call of the Prairie is a classic Western film that will delight fans of the genre. With its thrilling action sequences, engaging characters, and gripping storyline, the film is a testament to the enduring appeal of Westerns in Hollywood. Boyd's iconic portrayal of Hopalong Cassidy helped to define the genre and the character remains a beloved part of Western lore to this day. If you're in the mood for an exciting adventure set against the backdrop of the Wild West, Call of the Prairie is well worth a watch.

Call of the Prairie is a 1936 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 5 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.