blanche-2 Nice idea - bringing the urbane Falcon (Tom Conway) out west to solve the murder of a rancher (Lyle Talbot) killed by a rattlesnake bite in New York City. The rancher had a fiancée (Carole Gallagher), an ex-wife (Joan Irwin), and helpers (Minor Watson and Barbara Hale as his daughter), all of whom seem to have something to hide. Once out west, the search is on for the rancher's will and deed to his house, and the Falcon finds himself in danger.This is actually a pretty good mystery with some old-fashioned Indians and prejudices thrown in - this is pretty common in old films, and gives one a good idea of the sensibilities of the time. Barbara Hale, who went on to play Della Street on "Perry Mason" is the most familiar face here - young and pretty, she started out as an RKO starlet. Carole Gallagher, the fiancée, had the beauty of a Lana Turner but alas, none of the spark, and her career didn't amount to much. Tom Conway does a good job at the Falcon, but I admit that I prefer George Sanders in the role.This is an okay entry into the series.

MartinHafer While the film began in the big city, it soon changed venues to the American West and naturally involved an unsolved murder. Changing the locale to the West was certainly unusual and the lead seemed very out of place in such a rustic setting. However, while the locale changed, the overall story is just a typical Falcon mystery.When the series began, the Falcon films were exceptional for the genre with wonderful acting and a freshness that set them apart from the typical B-detective series films. However, as time passed and George Sanders left the series to pursue other acting opportunities, the series began to wane. While Tom Conway (Sanders' real life brother) was excellent and bore a close similarity to Sanders, he wasn't quite as good and he was also saddled with scripts that simply lost their zip and seemed more formulaic. As a result, this film was something that previous Falcon films were not--a tad dull.

Neil Doyle Not too much can be said for THE FALCON OUT WEST except that it moves swiftly to its conclusion after establishing a few red herrings that make the revelation of the real murderer a somewhat mild surprise.TOM CONWAY plays the suave detective who happens to be present when LYLE TALBOT (as a wealthy Texan) suddenly is struck by a snakebite poison and collapses. His death immediately throws suspicion on several shady characters who might have profited by inheriting his wealth.The Falcon goes west to a ranch run by MINOR WATSON, Tex's former partner and his daughter BARBARA HALE, where mysterious attempts on his life make it clear that someone wants him out of the way before he solves the crime.Hale is her usual charming self but her role is very underwritten. CAROLE GALLAGHER, as the young blonde fiancé of the wealthy Texan, looks like a double for the young Lana Turner but lacks the Turner charisma and seems no more than a bland beauty.Nothing special, but it passes the time pleasantly with Conway doing an excellent job as the Falcon.

kidboots While George Saunders originally starred as the Falcon in the first few films, brother Tom Conway took over the series as the original Falcon's brother - and made it his own. Although not as famous as his brother, Conway was perfect as the Falcon - being witty, urbane and sophisticated.When a wealthy Texas rancher (Lyle Talbot) collapses on a dance floor and dies presumably from a snake bite - the Falcon takes a train ticket and follows the rancher's fiancée (Carole Gallagher) out west to the rancher's spread.Mysterious things start happening - the Falcon finds an Indian scalp on his door as a death warning, someone takes a shot at him when he is out riding and lots of other things. Then Hayden (Tex's lawyer) is killed in the same puzzling way. It is all solved in 65 minutes and the Falcon finds another "lady in distress".Barbara Hale is first introduced saving a runaway coach. She plays the independent daughter of Tex's partner (Minor Watson) who is soon to be a suspect.Barbara Hale was one of RKO's promising young starlets of the 40s. She eventually found lasting fame as Della Street in the TV series "Perry Mason".Joan Barclay, who played Tex's ex wife had a reasonable career, starting with a bit in "The Gaucho" (1927) and ending with "The Shanghai Cobra" (1945). Carole Gallagher had a short, lack lustre career.