5/5 The Durango Kid
  by Stephen D. Chandler (South Carolina)
The first of the Durango Kid series, it packs a solid punch, mixing action, adept acting, strong characters, fine direction, and good plot. And, of course, Charles Starrett continues his excellent acting skills as the smooth, yet rugged peacemaker in the film. ~ I grew up watching "B" westerns on our old B&W tv. Buck Jones was and is my favorite of all, with Charles Starrett a close second. I STRONGLY urge those who have failed to look into the "B" western phenomena , be you country or cosmopolitan, male or female, young or old to rent or buy a few of the super "B" western films by the likes of Ken Maynard, early Gene Autry, Buck Jones, Bob Steele, early Roy Rogers, a young John Wayne, or some of the other numerous "B" western stars of the 1930's and 1940's and see just how much "clean" entertainment and fun you can have. ~ PS: By all means, try to see Charles Starrett in "The Durango Kid". : ) HAPPY VIEWING and"Trails to You." ~ Adios amigos!!!

5/5 "Charles Starrett B-Western Series ... Stampede (1936) ... Columbia Pictures"
  by J. Lovins (Missouri-USA)
Columbia Pictures present "STAMPEDE" (1936) (57 mins/B&W) (Dolby digitally remastered) --- relive those thrilling days when Charles Starrett took us down the dusty trails with hard riding and straight shooting hitting the bull's eye with excitement every time ... the Charlet Starrett series of B-Westerns were a staple of Saturday matinees in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s ... don't miss any of the Charles Starrett features loaded with action that will leave you wanting more of his B-Western adventures.

Under Ford I. Beebe (Director), Peter B. Kyne (Short Story Author), Robert Watson (Screenwriter), William Beckway (Cinematographer), George B. Meehan (Cinematographer), William Austin (Editor) ------ the cast includes Charles Starrett (Larry Carson), Finis Barton (Dale Milford), J.P. McGowan (Matt Stevens), Le Strange Millman (John Milford), Reginald Hincks (Sheriff), James McGrath (Henry Brooks), Arthur Kerr (Bill Gans), Jack Atkinson (Hodge), Michael Heppell (Kyle) ------ our story featuring Charles Starrett is prior The Durango Kid series, with a gang of outlaws and rustlers who have killed Starrett's brother ... because of this murder, Starrett vows to bring the culprits to justice ... Starrett is in great form and his stuntwork is excellent, not to mention his acting was right up there with the best of them ---- they just don't make 'em like this anymore and Columbia Pictures was one of the leaders of exciting B-Westerns and Serials.

Special Footnote, Charles Starrett was an American actor best known for his starring role in the "Durango Kid" Columbia Pictures western series ... In 1933 he was one of the people who helped organize the Screen Actors Guild, and in 1936 signed with Columbia Pictures to become one of the top ten western stars, starring in 115 movies the following 16 years ... in playing assorted sheriff and rangers roles, Starrett gained notoriety for his role as the "Durango Kid", the first film in which he played his famous alter-ego character was known as "The Durango Kid", which was released in 1940, but for some reason, Columbia did not see fit to continue with the series at that time ... the character was revived in 1944 and lasted through 1952. Dub Taylor, as "Cannonball", worked with Starrett until 1946 ... at that time, Smiley Burnette, who had been a very popular sidekick to Gene Autry, was brought in to replace Taylor. Burnette, appropriately enough, played a character called Smiley Burnette ... "The Durango Kid" series combined vigorous action sequences - often with speeded up camera work and spectacular stunts performed by Jock Mahoney - and western music ... each film featured a singing group, and many gave free rein to Burnette's singing and playing ... Starrett, who was independently wealthy, ended his acting career at 48 age when the "Durango Kid" series ceased production.

BIOS:
1. Charles Starrett
Date of birth: 28 March 1903 - Athol, Massachusetts,
Date of death: 22 March 1986 - Borrego Springs, California

Great job releasing "Stampede" (1936) - Charles Starrett, the digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era of the '20s, '30s & '40s and B-Westerns ... order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on VHS, stay tuned once again for top notch action mixed with deadly adventure --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out VCI Entertainment where they are experts in releasing B-Westerns and Serials ---Western Classics, all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 57 min on VHS ~ Alpha Video ~ (9/27/2005)