Under Texas Skies (1940) Robert Livingston, Bob Steele, Rufe Davis, Lois Ranson Movie Review

Under Texas Skies (1940)   4/54/54/54/54/5


Robert Livingston in Under Texas Skies (1940)

Tucson's on Stony Ground

When the army moved out it didn't take long for trouble to raise its ugly head again with a variety of issues for Sheriff Brooke (Wade Boteler). But when the Sheriff is murdered his son Stony (Robert Livingston) returns to find old friend Tucson Smith (Bob Steele) has been convicted of the murder and is set to be hung. The real murderer was Tom Blackton (Henry Brandon) who whilst deputy was also involved in various criminal activities from rustling to bank robbing. After Tucson escapes, getting injured in the process Stony finds him and takes him to Tucson's sister, Helen (Lois Ranson) to recuperate. But things take a bad turn when Blackton manages to convince Stony of Tucson's guilt and deputises him to help hunt down his old friend.

I could go on with that synopsis for "Under Texas Skies" as for what initially seems like just another one of those old one hour westerns, this time one coming under the Three Mesquiteer banner this one has a lot more going on that normal. We have a storyline which sees a good guy accused of murder another good guy conned in to believing a bad guy and a whole lot more. It isn't that any of the elements from this story are new but the whole thing is put together in such a way that it twists and turns a few times till it finds its path.

Something else which stands out about "Under Texas Skies" is the cinematography as not only has the image quality held up but the action is nicely shot with plenty of entertaining stunt work. Again none of it is new but it is nicely put together so like the story it is a cut above the normal.

What this all boils down to is that "Under Texas Skies" is another one of those old one hour westerns but this one has stood the test of time remarkably well with better writing and cinematography to make it still entertaining now.


LATEST REVIEWS