| The Blazing Trail | |
|---|---|
 Poster for the film | |
| Directed by | Ray Nazarro |
| Written by | Barry Shipman |
| Produced by | Colbert Clark |
| Starring | Charles Starrett |
| Cinematography | Ira Morgan |
| Edited by | Paul Borofsky |
Production company | Columbia Pictures |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 59 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Blazing Trail, known in the United Kingdom as The Forged Will, [2] is a 1949 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Charles Starrett.
 | This article needs a plot summary.(January 2024) |
This picture was one of 65 "Durango Kid" films Starrett made for Columbia. The first two were made in 1940, while the remainder were made between 1945 and 1952 (when Starrett retired). [3] Production on the film began in late January 1949, [4] and was finished in early February. [5] There were several songs in the film, performed by Burnette, Duncan, and Penny. They were: "You Put Me on My Feet" and "Extra, Extra!," both with music and lyrics by Smiley Burnette; "Cheer Up," music and lyrics by Slim Duncan and Hank Penny; and "Want a Gal From Texas," music and lyrics by George LaVerne and Floyd Bartlett. [1] The picture was rated A-1, suitable for all audiences, by the National Legion of Decency. [6]
Motion Picture Daily gave the film a positive review, although they did find a flaws in the production, direction and writing. They extolled Starrett's performance, stating he "plays the Durango Kid in a roaringly-paced Western which, despite a few shortcomings, shapes up as good, exciting entertainment for action-film fans. Their issue came back with certain flashback scene, and the use of Starrett inserting narrative dialogue into the action. They highlighted the music insertions by Penny, Duncan and Burnette. [7]
Lester Alvin Burnett, better known as Smiley Burnette, was an American country music performer and a comedic actor in Western films and on radio and TV, playing sidekick to Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and other B-movie cowboys. He was also a prolific singer-songwriter who is reported to have played proficiently over 100 musical instruments, sometimes more than one simultaneously. His career, beginning in 1934, spanned four decades, including a regular role on CBS-TV's Petticoat Junction in the 1960s.
Charles Robert Starrett was an American actor, best known for his starring role in the Durango Kid westerns. Starrett still holds the record for starring in the longest series of theatrical features: 131 westerns, all produced by Columbia Pictures.
Junction City is a 1952 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette and Jock Mahoney. It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film's art direction was by Charles Clague.
Cyclone Fury is a 1951 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Charles Starrett.
The Kid from Broken Gun is a 1952 American western action film directed by Fred F. Sears, and starring Charles Starrett, Jock Mahoney, Angela Stevens, Tristram Coffin, and Myron Healey. The film was released by Columbia Pictures on August 16, 1952. This film became the 65th and final in the Durango Kid series.
Blazing Across the Pecos is a 1948 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Norman S. Hall. The film stars Charles Starrett, Patricia Barry, Paul Campbell, Charles C. Wilson, Thomas E. Jackson, Red Arnall and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on July 1, 1948, by Columbia Pictures.
Galloping Thunder is a 1946 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Charles Starrett. It was part of the series of Durango Kid films.
Trail of the Rustlers is a 1950 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Charles Starrett, Gail Davis and Tommy Ivo. It is part of the Durango Kid series of films. It is also known by the alternative title Lost River.
Bonanza Town is a 1951 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears who plays the villain and starring Charles Starrett, Myron Healey, and Luther Crockett. It is part of the Durango Kid series.
Frontier Outpost is a 1950 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Charles Starrett, Lois Hall and Steve Darrell. It is part of the Durango Kid series.
Texas Dynamo is a 1950 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Barry Shipman. The film stars Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, Lois Hall, Jock Mahoney, Slim Duncan and John Dehner. The film was released on June 1, 1950, by Columbia Pictures.
The Fighting Frontiersman is a 1946 American Western film directed by Derwin Abrahams and written by Ed Earl Repp. The film stars Charles Starrett, Helen Mowery, Hank Newman and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on December 10, 1946, by Columbia Pictures.
Trail to Laredo is a 1948 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Barry Shipman. The film stars Charles Starrett, Jim Bannon, Virginia Maxey, Tommy Ivo, Hugh Prosser and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on August 12, 1948, by Columbia Pictures.
South of the Chisholm Trail is a 1947 American Western film directed by Derwin Abrahams and written by Michael Simmons. The film stars Charles Starrett, Nancy Saunders, Hank Newman and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on January 30, 1947, by Columbia Pictures.
Renegades of the Sage is a 1949 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Earle Snell. The film stars Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, Leslie Banning, Trevor Bardette, Douglas Fowley and Jock Mahoney. The film was released on November 24, 1949, by Columbia Pictures.
South of Death Valley is a 1949 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Earle Snell. The film stars Charles Starrett, Gail Davis, Fred F. Sears, Lee Roberts, Richard Emory, Clayton Moore, Smiley Burnette and Tommy Duncan. The film was released on August 8, 1949, by Columbia Pictures.
Challenge of the Range is a 1949 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Ed Earl Repp. The film stars Charles Starrett, Paula Raymond, Billy Halop, Steve Darrell, Henry Hall, Robert Filmer and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on February 3, 1949, by Columbia Pictures.
El Dorado Pass is a 1948 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Earle Snell. The film stars Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, Elena Verdugo, Steve Darrell, Rory Mallinson and Ted Mapes. The film was released on October 14, 1948, by Columbia Pictures.
Two-Fisted Stranger is a 1946 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Robert Lee Johnson. The film stars Charles Starrett, Doris Houck, Zeke Clements and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on May 30, 1946, by Columbia Pictures.
Heading West is a 1946 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Ed Earl Repp. The film stars Charles Starrett, Doris Houck, Hank Penny and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on August 15, 1946, by Columbia Pictures.
