bkoganbing
Stage To Mesa City has US Marshals Lash LaRue and Al St.John on a mission to
investigate some stagecoach wars and why someone is so determined to put
Steve Clark's line out of business. The guys arrive just in time to greet a shot a
and dying Clark out on the prairie and to rescue his kids at the hands of the
outlaws who have a mysterious and unknown leader.The kids are Jennifer Holt and Brad Slaven and they have no idea who wants
their line and the mail contract that could go with it. The outlaws also seem to know every move they make. So it's a bit of detective work for both Lash
and Fuzzy.The leader is a clever dude and in a position to know all. I think you can figure
out who it is just watching the film.The usual hard riding and gunplay with Lash LaRue using the bullwhip to disarm one villain.PRC had no money to spend and spend they didn't. A lot of stock footage that
any B western fan will recognize instantly.The Lash's fans will be pleased.
398
Lash LaRue was the most interesting B western hero to come along after WWII. Bearing a striking physical resemblance to Humphrey Bogart, he cut quite a figure in his all-black outfit while expertly wielding a bullwhip against the bad guys.STAGE TO MESA CITY is an entertaining vehicle for LaRue with almost non-stop action and an interesting mystery element. Silent era comic Fuzzy St John backs LaRue with some expert pratfalls as his actually helpful sidekick. Jennifer Holt is the attractive heroine. Marshall Reed and Terry Frost head up the bad guys, but take orders from a shadowy boss. Between wild shootouts and chase after chase, Lash tries to figure out the identity of this top villain.This film is action packed with several full gallop chases. It might actually be too action packed. The mystery is predictable as the casting leaves no doubt who the brainy boss will turn out to be. It might have been wise to sacrifice a chase here or there in order to build up the red herrings. It also would have helped to cast veteran villains in the red herring roles to keep the viewer guessing.All in all, though, a fast-paced treat for LaRue fans.
charlytully
Since the comment from 2006 appears to be a competent remark from a Lash Larue aficionado, this review can pass on from general critique to cultural juxtaposition. Whip-wielding Lash strips guns out of henchmen's hands at about the 20:20 and 37:05 marks of this 51:39-long flick (faster-triggered opponents may have paraphrased Sean Connery's famous UNTOUCHABLES line: "It's just like a Frenchman to bring a whip to a gunfight" while dispatching the hero with a well-placed shot). Unlike Frank Sinatra's tormentor in THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM, handicapper subterfuge seems less character-driven than plot-driven here. Despite this script contrivance (and enough bling on Lash's horse to give him a weight handicap worthy of Man-O-War), this film is more watchable than that other drama about delivering U.S. mail, Kevin Costner's THE POSTMAN. Finally, the apparent disinterest of the Mesa City sheriff in apprehending his town's nefarious element--leaving outside troubleshooters to insure the triumph of good over evil--could have been ripped from today's headlines nearly anywhere in America.
revdrcac
In this popular film in Lash Larue's series of low-budget 1940's westerns, the black-clad whip-slinger takes on murder and corruption in a small western town. The dated storyline is interesting, though the outcome of the mystery is somewhat predictable.Larue was never an accomplished actor, yet he does have an on screen persona in these films that makes the film entertaining for B-western fans. His deadpan delivery and feisty demeanor make him even more believable as he pursues the murderin' rascal in question. As always, Fuzzy St.John gives a humorous performance as the clown in prospector's clothing who aides Lash in "tracking" the dirty villain responsible for murder and mayhem. Elementary, my dear Lash !
AD
