I take it this was the first meeting between Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) and California Carlson (Andy Clyde), as the two don't know each other when they first meet. In fact, California mistakes Hoppy for a notorious outlaw named Ben Stokes (Glenn Strange) who comes on the scene later. Interestingly, California is hooked up with an outlaw gang himself at the beginning of the story, performing their cooking duties, but is soon recruited by Hoppy to become a good guy. There's not a lot of credibility to the way all this happens, but it makes for a good story.Hoppy does know Lucky Jenkins (Russell Hayden) however, and both men are employed as Texas Rangers. When a citizens committee from California arrives to request help in getting rid of an outlaw gang, Captain Andrews (Morgan Wallace) of The Rangers offers the opportunity to Cassidy, who turns it down, preferring to head back to his Bar-20 Ranch when his stint with the Rangers expires, a decision that didn't last too long. Lucky, on the other hand, is all gung-ho to strike out for new horizons, and heads off to California with Hoppy's good wishes.There's a bit of a huh? moment following that first shootout between the bad guys and Hoppy with his 'new' partner California. Since California didn't have a gun of his own, Hoppy gave him one of his to provide cover while he snuck around to capture two of the baddies who didn't run away. When he makes it back to California's position, he takes the gun away and throws it over his shoulder and into the brush - but it was his own gun! There's also a Whoa! moment when Hoppy and California first meet up with Lucky in the town of Santa Carmen, where Lucky takes on his first sheriff assignment. Lucky insists on striking out on his own, and when Hoppy tries to stop him, Lucky knocks him to the ground! Actually, it's more of a push since Lucky didn't strike him, but it did look like an awkward moment for the cowboy hero.Eventually, all the forces of law and order line up to confront gang leader Bruce Morgan (Morris Ankrum) and his henchmen Gardner (Dick Curtis) and Ben Stokes. Morgan offers up one of those classic Western challenges to the good guys - "You want me, you'll have to come and get me!" Well, you wouldn't have to have seen see many of these oaters to know what happens next. Hoppy went and got him!

This Hoppalong Cassidy (William Boyd) film is well made and extremely typical of the genre. And, like most of the B-westerns I've enjoyed, it's not mired down with a lot of unnecessary and silly songs.The film begins with authorities in California begging the Texas governor to send a crack Ranger to their state to help them restore law and order. Surprisingly, Hoppy isn't interested in the job but his young friend Lucky does the job instead. Soon, however, Hoppy is pulled into California. And, he brings along a new sidekick--aptly named California. Together with Lucky, the trio work on restoring justice. And, as if VERY typical of the genre. there's a baddie who has a large group of hired guns who's intent on stealing the land of all the little guys.About the only unusual aspect of the film is that it's surprisingly violent for a B-western. As for the acting, Cassidy seems quite natural and the film is enjoyable throughout. Not a must-see but a decent little time-passer.

This 31st entry of the 66 films in the Hopalong Cassidy series marks the first of 35 consecutive appearances, in the remaining films of the series, of Scottish-born comedian Andy Clyde in the role of "California Carlson", although his introduction in this film is as "California Jack" Carlson and his credentials won't bear much scrutiny. The film finds local officers in an outlaw-infested town in California helpless to cope with the situation and a citizens committee comes to Texas and appeals to the Texas Rangers for help in organizing the forces of law and order. Captain Andrews of the Rangers offers the assignment to Hopalong Cassidy and Lucky Jenkins, but Cassidy, whose period of service in the Rangers is almost over, refuses. The as-usual impetuous Lucky takes the job alone. WWhile on patrol duty, Cassidy is following the trail of a large herd of rustled horses and discovers the hide-out of the Bruce Morgan gang. Fun B picture stuff. You cant go wrong. But can you go right?

Excellent & unusual for a B western. Has many features & plot elements that are unexpected for a B movie. More somber than most Hoppy films. The usual humor is there, but both Lucky & California show a more serious side. My only complaint is that Hoppy wears a tan outfit (with black hat), rather than his trademark all black outfit. Easily one of the very best Hoppy films.