Fugitive Valley

Fugitive Valley is a black and white western feature film released in 1941. Directed by S. Roy Luby, the film stars Ray Corrigan, John 'Dusty' King, and Max Terhune, along with their horse companions in the series; Duke, Cactus, and Elmer. It is the eighth installment of the Range Busters series, which consists of 24 films running from 1940 to 1943. The "Range Busters" were a film series made by Monogram Pictures, intended to be a competition against Republic Pictures' "Three Mesquiteers" western series.

In Fugitive Valley, Corrigan, King, and Terhune play three peacekeepers, known as 'The Range Busters,' named Crash Corrigan, Dusty King, and Alibi Terhune, respectively. The film combines elements of the classic western genre, action, adventure, and a touch of comedy. It’s a feast for the lovers of old school cowboy movies, yet provides a unique and engaging plot that helps it stand out from others in the broader genre.

The story of Fugitive Valley revolves around the trio's mission to infiltrate and nullify a formidable group of criminal outlaws hiding in a mountainous, lawless, remote locality – the 'Fugitive Valley.' Following a series of lawlessness and terror caused by these outlaws, our heroes, the Range Busters, are called upon to bring peace and order. Armed with courage, wit, and tenacity, Crash Corrigan, Dusty King, and Alibi Terhune ride straight into the outlaw's lair, posing as wanted criminals themselves. Their audacious plan is to gain the outlaws' trust to learn their secrets and put an end to their reign of terror.

Ray Corrigan delivers a commendable portrayal of Crash Corrigan, the sturdy and rugged hero, who serves as the muscle of the Range Busters. John 'Dusty' King provides a fine-tuned performance as the charming and well-mannered Dusty King, who woos every lady with his musical talent while still managing to fight the bad guys. Max Terhune fills in the role of the comic relief Alibi Terhune, the quirky and hilarious trickster of the group who often accompanies himself with a ventriloquist dummy, Elmer.

Director S. Roy Luby does a commendable job of balancing the film’s elements of danger and thrill with humorous and light-hearted moments. Despite its adventurous and risk-fraught odyssy into lawless land, Fugitive Valley never strays from injecting moments of fun, friendship, and camaraderie, which make the Ranger Busters endearing to the audience. This balance prevents the screenplay from turning into a grim and intense narrative, thus ensuring that the film remains a suitable watch for a broad cross-section of viewers, including kids.

Another impressive aspect of Fugitive Valley is its cinematography and the portrayal of iconic western settings. From galloping horse chases, good old-fashioned saloon encounters, stunning wide shots of the open range, to the hidden outlaw hideout site; Fugitive Valley provides a bona fide representation of classic western backdrops that transport the audience to the cowboy era.

Although Fugitive Valley does not profusely rely on special effects nor does it boast the stellar budget of a Hollywood blockbuster, it possesses the essence of what makes a film enjoyable - a coherent plot, likable characters, and a sustainable pace. The film beautifully bundled these qualities in an action-packed 56 minutes of run time, ensuring a highly entertaining viewing experience from start to finish without any needless add-ons.

In sum, Fugitive Valley is an engaging blend of action, adventure, humor, and western nostalgia, delivered convincingly by the charisma and camaraderie of Corrigan, King, and Terhune. The film's unfussy approach to storytelling, coupled with competent direction and effective performances, makes it an enjoyable addition to the Range Busters series, and is sure to charm fans of classic western cinema.