| View Larger Image | Darn Good Westerns Vol 1: Hellgate, Fangs of the Wild, Train to Tombstone, Panhandle, Operation Haylift, Wildfire: The Story of a Horse | DVDStarring: Sterling Hayden, Rod Cameron, Joan Leslie, Cathy Downs, Ward Bond
Directed By: Charles Marquis Warren;Lesley Selander;William Claxton;William Berke;Robert Tansey
| List Price: | $29.99 | | Price: | $26.99 | | You Save: | $3.00 (10%) | | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
| | Binding: | DVD | | Rating: |  | | Run Time: | 435 minutes | | Format: | Black & White, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Widescreen | | Studio: | VCI Entertainment | | Number of Discs: | 2 | | Aspect Ratio: | 1.37:1 | | Release Date: | March 31, 2009 | | Sales Rank: | 30,130th |
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FEATURES | - HELLGATE: This post-Civil War yarn was adapted from the story of Dr. Mudd, the physician who attended John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Lincoln. In 1867 Kansas, veterinarian Sterling Hayden treats an injured stranger who turns out to have been a guerrilla raider--and Hayden soon finds himself serving a term in one of the world's most terrifying prisons under sadistic commandant Ward Bon
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
HELLGATE: This post-Civil War yarn was adapted from the story of Dr. Mudd, the physician who attended John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Lincoln. In 1867 Kansas, veterinarian Sterling Hayden treats an injured stranger who turns out to have been a guerrilla raider--and Hayden soon finds himself serving a term in one of the world's most terrifying prisons under sadistic commandant Ward Bond. FANGS OF THE WILD: A boy who has frequently cried "Wolf!" now cries "Murder!"--and this time he's telling the truth. But because of his fib-filled history, when he claims to have seen hunter Charles Chaplin Jr. shoot and kill a fellow hunter, no one will believe the lad. No one, that is...except Chaplin. Beautiful Big Bear scenery co-stars in this suspenseful drama. TRAIN TO TOMBSTONE: There are roaring wheels and roaring thrills as the Tombstone train crosses "unfriendly Indian" territory with the usual offbeat assortment of passengers (a la Stagecoach), among them a "law officer" (Robert Lowery) who is actually a crook with his eye on the train's government gold shipment. Can passenger Donald Barry be trusted, or is he yet another outlaw? PANHANDLE: John Sands (Rod Cameron), a reformed gunman, now a storekeeper in a Mexican border town, again straps on gun belt and six-shooters to find the killer of his brother. Fists and bullets fly when he finds that he must contend not only with badmen, but with lawmen who remember his outlaw past. Shot amidst rugged Lone Pine, California scenery, and co-written and co-produced by future Hollywood legend Blake Edwards who also plays the role of a baby-faced killer! OPERATION HAYLIFT: The infamous 1949 real-life blizzards that threatened Nevada cattle herds are recreated in this drama with Bill Williams and Ann Rutherford as ranchers imperiled by the snows until the U.S. Air Force organizes "Operation Haylift." Co-written by Joe Sawyer, one of the leading players, and made with USAF cooperation (and film footage of the actual operation). Extra Features: Rare photos of the actual Operation Haylift WILDFIRE: A gang of crooks is attempting to drive out the local ranchers by rustling their horses and laying the blame on "Wildfire", the leader of a wild horse herd. Happy Hay (Bob Steele) and Alkali (Sterling Holloway), a pair of wandering horse traders, are also framed by the gang on murder and rustling charges, but they, with the help of Judge Polson (William Farnum) and sheriff Johnny Deal (Eddie Dean) manage to apprehend the real culprits. Bonus Features: Episode Selections, Disc 1: Original Theatrical Trailers, Video Short: "Hold 'Em Cowboy" Disc 2: Rare Photos of Actual "Operation Haylift", Video Feature: "Born in Freedom: The Story of Colonel Drake." Product Specs: 2-DVD9s; 435 minutes; Dolby Digital 2.0; B&W, Color & Sepiatone; 1.33:1 / 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1952, 1954, 1950, 1948, 1950, 1945; SRP - $29.99. |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 3 reviews)
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panhandle  4 Stars
June 26, 2009
I was amazed about the multitude of titles that goes with this disc.
"Panhandle" is one of my old favorite classic western movies from long ago.The story is clear-cut and has no unnecessary "fillers".
One wishes that all "badies" are dealt with likewise, now and then.
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"Darn Good" movies and price! by B. Cathey (Wendell, NC United States)  5 Stars
April 27, 2009
VCI Entertainment has a history of releasing excellent material that somehow has escaped notice of the major releasing companies. This present release (of six movies and several bonus features) brings to the viewer two very good, classic larger-budgeted Westerns (HELLGATE and PANHANDLE) and four "B" features. All films come from the Kit Parker Collection (mostly Lippert Productions, but some from other studios as well).
PANHANDLE was one of the first major productions by Monogram Picture's bigger budget releasing company, Allied Artists, and it may well be Rod Cameron's best outing in a Western. Done is Sepia tone, the film also stars the cavern-voiced Reed Hadley (as the 'baddie'). The VCI print is fine, in fact, the best I've seen for this film (which is given to us in its original sepia tone). It's an entirely enjoyable Western, with all sorts of nice touches that make it well-worth replaying. Watch for Cameron singing a little song...
HELLGATE may have been Lippert's best production during its short existence, and in fact, it far outclasses many higher budget oaters of the period. Starring Sterling Hayden and Ward Bond, it's a replay of sorts of the classic "Prisoner of Shark Island" (the ordeal of Dr. Mudd) out West. Hayden, a veterinary doctor, tends to the wounds of a Confederate raider, and for his trouble, gets sent to a dreary prison in the middle of the desert. How he redeems himself and deals with commandant Bond make for a tense and exciting drama. Both Hayden and Bond excel in their roles. Dialogue is terse and sharp all round. The print is excellent, sharp and clear.
TRAIN TO TOMBSTONE stars Don "Red" Barry and, albeit a "B" Western, is superior to most B's being released in the early 1950s. Robert Lowery co-stars. Excellent print, good dialogue, and believable action and story line make this very entertaining.
WILDFIRE offers us early Eddie Dean (before he began his stint at PRC studios) and Bob Steele, co-starring. It's in Cinecolor, and believe it or not, the color holds up in this 1945 Western. Fine print and very entertaining, if a bit more intended for the (then) younger set....
OPERATION HAYLIFT and FANGS OF THE WILD are equally entertaining, with similar fine quality prints.
The Bonus material includes several "shorts" and some trailers, all well done and in great quality.
VCI calls this volume I; let's hope that volume II (and III?) are equally as good as this. Highly recommended!
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"Darn Good Westerns Vol. 1 ... (1945-1954) ... VCI Ent (2009)" by J. Lovins (Missouri-USA) 5 Stars
April 01, 2009
VCI Entertainment and Kit Parker Films presents "DARN GOOD WESTERNS VOL.1" (1945-1954) --- (Dolby digitally remastered) --- Check out the first of a new line of Westerns called "Darn Good Westerns", containing triple features, inclusive two disc set will have on its lineup an A-Western along with two B-Westerns --- Some of the stars include James Arness, Don 'Red' Barry, Ward Bond, Rod Cameron, Charles Chaplin Jr., Raymond Hatton, Sterling Hayden, Sterling Holloway, Joan Leslie, Robert Lowery, Tom Neal, Ann Rutherford, Joe Sawyer, Bob Steele, Onslow Stevens & Bill Williams --- All the oaters hitting the trail making this their debut on DVD compliments of VCI.
DISC ONE (1)
1. Hellgate (5 September 1952) (87 min/B&W.) - Charles Marquis Warren (Director)
A man is accused of spying for the confederacy, and sentenced to the notorious Hellgate Prison --- After he unsuccessfully attempts to breakout, and is sentenced to solitary confinement, he redeems himself when the prison is taken down by a plague - featuring Sterling Hayden
2. Fangs of the Wild (2 April 1954) (71 min/B&W) - William F. Claxton (Director)
When a boy who has frequently cried "Wolf!" now cries "Murder!"-- people should listen this time he's telling the truth --- He claims to have seen hunter Charles Chaplin Jr. shoot and kill a fellow hunter, no one will believe the lad. No one, that is...except Chaplin --- But alas he has a fib-filled history, what a shame --- Beautiful Big Bear scenery co-stars in this suspenseful drama.- featuring Charles Chaplin Jr.
3. Train to Tombstone (16 September 1950) (56 mins/B&W) - William Berke (Director)
Len Howard has been sent to protect a large gold shipment that is on a train traveling from Albuquerque to Tombstone --- First he passes out guns so the passengers can fight off an Indian attack --- Then when a gang dressed as Indians attack, he helps fight them off and identifies their leader who is one of the passengers.- featuring Don 'Red' Barry
BONUS FEATURES:
1. Original Theatrical Trailers
2. Video Short: "Hold 'Em Cowboy" - Ford Bond (narrator)
DISC TWO (2)
Panhandle (22 February 1948) (85 min/Sepia) - Lesley Selander (Director)
John Sands is a famed ex lawman ,most celebrated for having faced down Billy the Kid --- He is now living in Mexico, having fallen foul of the law in the States,and is working as a storekeeper when news reaches him that his brother has been murdered .He vows to return to America to avenge his brother despite knowing full well this places him at risk of arrest . He is drawn into enmity with the ruthless Matt Garson who is also his rival for he hand of Garson's secretary (Joan O'Carroll)and to complicate matters he law is on his tail - featuring Rod Cameron
Operation Haylift (5 May 1950) (74 min/B&W) - William Berke (Director)
In years past, severe winters across the plains and mountain states often devastated cattle herds that perished from starvation. Trucking hay to the stranded herds often proved impossible, leaving farmers no choice but to absorb the loss.Their plight is dramatized here as a farm family headed by ex-flier Bill Williams faces just such a winter. But then he runs into old air force pal Tom Brown and one of them gets the grand idea of organizing discharged WWII fliers into a haylift operation. Where trucks can't go, airplanes can - featuring Bill Williams
Wildfire: The Story of a Horse (18 July 1945) (58 min/Color/Cinecolor) - Robert Emmett Tansey - (Director)
Fanning has his men rustle horses and then blame it on a wild horse named Wildfire. Happy (Bob Steele) and Alkali arrive and immediately get into trouble with Fanning and his men. When Alkali is shot, Happy catches the outlaws but the Judge not only releases them, he discharges the Sheriff and tries to arrest Happy for rustling. Happy escapes and he and the Sheriff then set out to prove who the real rustlers are - featuring Bob Steele
BONUS FEATURES:
1. Rare Photos of the Actual "Operation Haylift"
2. Video Feature: "Born in Freedom:: The Story of Colonel Drake" - featuring Vincent Price
Hats off and thanks to Robert Blair and his staff at VCI Entertainment --- VCI was named in Variety and Hollywood Reporter as the first company to produce and release motion pictures directly to the home marketplace --- order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment where there are plenty of copies available on DVD, stay tuned once again for top notch releases --- VCI are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector -- looking forward to more Nostalgic Collections.
Total Time: 435 mins on DVD ~ VCI Home Video KPF-602 ~ (03/31/2009)
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SIMILAR PRODUCTS |
| Darn Good Westerns Vol 2
Starring: Dane Clark, James Craig, Martha Roth, Preston Foster, Jim Davis
Directed By: Louis King;Sam Newfield;Lesley Selander;William Berke;William J. Hole;Jr.
Disc One: MASSACRE: Indian treachery leads to tragedy in this made-on-location Western adventure with Dane Clark and James Craig as officers of the law who lead a small group of men into redmen territory to investigate reports of guns being sold to unfriendly Yaqui Indians. Every arrow screams death in an unexpected finale. 1956 (76 minutes) THREE DESPARATE MEN: Deputies Preston Foster and Jim Davis save their brother Ross Latimer from hanging for a crime he didn t commit, but a guard is killed...
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| San Francisco Story starring Joel McCrea, Yvonne De Carlo
Starring: Joel McCrea, Yvonne De Carlo, Sidney Blackmer, Onslow Stevens, John Doucette
Directed By: n/a
SAN FRANCISCO STORY! The California Gold Rush city of 1850's, San Francisco comes to life in this gripping western tale of love and law and order on the Barbary Coast. Starring: Joel McCrea, Yvonne De Carlo, Sidney Blackmer, Onslow Stevens, John Doucette, Robert Foulk and Florence Bates.
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| Zane Grey Theatre Complete Season One
Starring: Dick Powell, Ida Lupino, David Niven, Eddie Albert, Mary Astor
Directed By: John English;Felix Feist;Bernard Girard;Christian Nyby;and others
Wonderful tales of the Old West laden with history and adventure are presented in Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, a half-hour western anthology TV series that debuted on CBS, October 5, 1956 and ran for 5 whole seasons. Dick Powell served as the host for the entire series and also starred as various characters in 15 episodes. The series was originally based on the short stories and novels of western author Zane Grey, but as the series continued, new material was included. Aaron Spelling, who...
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| Wagon Master
Starring: Ben Johnson, Joanne Dru, Harry Carey Jr., Ward Bond, Charles Kemper
Directed By: John Ford
Also With: Bert Glennon (Cinematographer), John Ford (Producer), John Ford (Writer), Lowell J. Farrell (Producer), Merian C. Cooper (Producer), Frank S. Nugent (Writer), Patrick Ford (Writer)
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/15/2009 Run time: 90 minutes Rating: Nr
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| The King and Four Queens
Starring: Clark Gable, Jo Van Fleet, Jay C. Flippen, Barbara Nichols, Eleanor Parker
Also With: Lucien Ballard (Cinematographer), Alex North (Composer), Alex North (Conductor)
Studio: Tcfhe/mgm Release Date: 05/12/2009 Run time: 86 minutes Rating: Nr
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