Hop-a-Long Cassidy is a simple, dusty slice of western fun

Should you watch Hop-a-Long Cassidy today? Only if you’ve got a real soft spot for black-and-white horse operas where the morality is as clear as the blue sky. It’s a Saturday afternoon kind of flick for folks who don’t mind a little grit. If you want something that moves like Romance and Dynamite or has the heavy weight of An American Tragedy, you’re looking in the wrong place.

The Setup

The plot is about as complicated as a game of checkers. We have a foreman playing two cattlemen against each other, which is the oldest trick in the book. It’s effective, though. You know the bad guy is going to get his, and you know the good guy is going to look good doing it.

William Boyd has this way of holding his ground that just feels right. He isn't doing anything flashy. He’s just there, being the guy who knows which way the wind is blowing. 🤠

Bits and Bobs

• George 'Gabby' Hayes is in this, which is always a treat for the ears.
• The way they frame the shootouts makes me think they were running out of film.
• The cattle herds look a bit sparse, like someone rented ten cows and moved them around to look like fifty.
• I noticed one guy in the background of a saloon scene who clearly forgot his lines and just stared at the wall for a full minute.

It’s funny how these movies feel like they were made in a hurry, yet they have a certain rhythm you just don't see anymore. It’s not trying to be a deep, dark masterpiece. It's just a western. Sometimes that’s enough, right? 🐎

The pacing is a bit uneven, sure. Some scenes drag on while the bad guys talk in circles, and then the action happens so fast you almost miss the punch. It’s a bit messy. I kinda liked that about it.

If you’re looking for a comparison, this feels much more traditional than the weird energy in Blue Rhythm. It’s grounded. Maybe a little too grounded at times, if I’m being honest.

Watching the foreman try to keep his lies straight was actually the best part. He’s sweating bullets while the hero is just leaning against a fence post. It’s a classic power move. Simple, effective, and honestly, pretty fun to watch.