The Kid Ranger: A dusty, awkward bit of Western melodrama

If you're into dusty 1930s B-westerns where the plot moves faster than a startled horse, The Kid Ranger might hit the spot. If you prefer movies that actually breathe or have, you know, coherent motivations, you might want to look elsewhere.

Honestly, the whole setup is just plain weird. Bob Steele plays this Ranger who is apparently cool with marrying the daughter of a man he put in the ground. I mean, talk about a heavy secret to bring to the dinner table.

The pacing here feels like the editor was working on a deadline that was ten minutes away. One minute they're courting, the next there's a shootout, and then suddenly someone is confessing a murder like it’s just part of the weather forecast. 🤠

Some random observations:

• The way these guys handle their hats is an art form. I think one guy tips his hat three times in a single conversation.
• The dialogue is so stiff it feels like they’re reading it off a chalkboard hidden behind the camera.
• The background extras in the saloon look like they’re just waiting for their check so they can head to the next set.

It definitely lacks the polish you might see in Pillars of Society, but that’s kind of the charm, I guess? It’s rough around the edges and doesn't care who knows it.

There’s this one scene where a horse just refuses to look at the camera, and the actor keeps trying to nudge it back into position while talking about justice. It’s hilarious. You can tell they just decided to keep the take because they were out of film.

It’s not a masterpiece, and it definitely isn't trying to be. It’s just a standard, dusty little flick. If you’ve got an hour to kill and want to watch people squint at the sun, go for it.

Just don't go in expecting some deep, emotional breakdown about the nature of guilt. Ray pretty much just shrugs it off once the bullets start flying. Priorities, I suppose.