MartinHafer I've watched a lot of old series B-westerns lately--watching films of Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Tom Mix, Lash LaRue and many others. This allows me to compare the various cowboy stars of the time--to see who I like and don't. Well, my favorite films have been some of Hoot Gibson's and Tim McCoy's--mostly because they don't usually have any singing and the quality of the films is usually pretty good. And, unfortunately, in at least the case of "Hittin' the Trail", I was not very impressed by Tex Ritter. Maybe he was a nice person, but his acting was a bit rough and he insisted on singing and having others sing A LOT. In fact, this film might have more singing than any other B-western I have seen. Plus, and I am not trying to be mean, but his singing was nearly as good as Autry or Rogers'. In many ways, this film seemed like a second or probably more of a third-tier film--a very low-budget film indeed.The film begins oddly. Tex and his sidekick are relaxing out in the countryside when a cowboy comes up to them and begs them to trade horses, as he's on the run. So why would Ritter agree to trade horses with the stranger who was on the run--most likely from the law?! And, it happens that this was the Tombstone Kid--who is wanted for murder! Not surprisingly, Tex is soon arrested but they figure out he's not the Kid before too long. Not exactly an auspicious beginning.Eventually the film turns out to be the typical cattle rustling and mean old rich boss-man film. About the only thing that stood out for me (and few would probably care) is an appearance in a small role by Snub Pollard--an Australian who came to the States and did some dandy comedies during the silent era (I especially loved "It's a Gift The film just lacked any sort of zip or spark. The characters were pretty dull, some of the acting was very bad, the film was quite talky and there was too much singing--I wanted to see a lot more action! a lot of songs--most I've ever heard

wes-connors After shaving, horse-trader Tex Ritter (as Tex Randall) and cleaned-up partner Hank Worden (as Hank) are mistaken for outlaws. They are quickly freed, as the plot seems to forget where it's going. Mr. Ritter is framed for some illegal horsing around. There ought to be a law. The DVD sleeve claims, "Action and suspense blend perfectly in this original, exciting Western." In your dreams. There are about one-and-a-half good songs, at least. And, it's amusing to watch Mr. Worden's background facial expressions.** Hittin' the Trail (4/3/37) Robert N. Bradbury ~ Tex Ritter, Hank Worden, Earl Dwire, Tommy Bupp

bkoganbing The guys Hittin' The Trail are Tex Ritter and his sidekick Hank Worden who have a string of horses when they are mistaken for the notorious Tombstone Kid and his outlaw henchman. Of course Tex and Hank are cleared later and the sheriff releases them, but that only gets them in deeper involved in the local outlaw situation.Either a bad script or bad editing made the plot a bit vague and hard to follow. The film seems to have eschewed Ritter the cowboy hero for Ritter the country and western singing star and musical numbers abound in Hittin' The Trail. It's the saving grace of the film.It also shows what a bad reputation will get you as the real Tombstone Kid is a convenient place to put blame for all the lawbreaking committed by the film's real villain Earl Dwire who was in many a John Wayne B western for the various companies he worked for in the Thirties. Of course it all gets straightened out in the end, much to the satisfaction of the rancher's daughter Jerry Bergh.Ritter's film career might have been better served had he been one of Republic's stable of cowboy heroes. As it is this film was done by the shortlived B studio Grand National and the seams do show.

classicsoncall In a case of mistaken identity, Tex Ritter is arrested for murder and horse theft, but with the situation grim, there's still plenty of time for a handful of tunes that are actually pretty good for a Western as early as this one. Qualifying that, it's Ray Whitley and his Range Ramblers that provide the quality entertainment, and even though Tex lends his voice to a couple of songs, one is particularly gruesome. With a weak stomach, Tex's sidekick Hank (Hank Worden) grows noticeably uncomfortable during a rendition of 'Blood on the Saddle', getting greener by the moment as Tex over enunciates 'buh-lu-udd' time and again.Perennial 'B' Western bad man Earl Dwire has the perfect look for a crooked town boss. Tombstone (Archie Ricks) was his first victim, now it's Ritter's turn, as James Clark (Dwire) stakes Tex to a rigged roulette game. With his winnings, Ritter's character Tex Randall unknowingly trades for a herd of stolen horses. He must drive them through a canyon on property owned by Dad Reed (Jack C. Smith), but that won't be easy since Reed refuses to cooperate with Clark.Directed by Robert N. Bradbury, the film comes shortly after a series of Lone Star Films he did with a newcomer named John Wayne between 1934 and 1936. In virtually all of Wayne's films, he wound up getting the girl by the end of the picture. There seems to be a romantic interest here, provided by Dad Reed's daughter Jean (Jerry Bergh). However while she's romantically gazing at the moon and stars, Tex is oblivious and misses all the signals.When things get sorted out at the end of the film, Tex reveals he's actually an agent for a railroad company that's interested in Dad Reed's canyon for a cut off through Pecos County. All's well that ends well, with bad guy Clark under arrest, and Tex closing out the film with the movie's title song, 'Hittin the Trail For Home'.Having seen three of Tex Ritter's films, this one stands in the middle for story quality. Available copies of "Arizona Days" suffer from jump cuts and dark scenes that distort the film's continuity making it tough to watch. A better one to get your hands on would be "Trouble in Texas", which itself is a rework of "The Man From Utah", a Bradbury directed film from the John Wayne Lone Star library. It has an early film appearance by future star Rita Hayworth.