"The Cariboo Trail" is a trail through the "wilds" of British Columbia in Canada where cattleman Jim Redfern (Randolph Scott), Mike Evans (Bill Williams) and Ling (Lee Tung Foo) are driving a small herd of cattle from Montana with the hope of reaching a so-called promised land on which to establish a cattle ranch. Along the way, they meet up with grizzled old prospector Grizzly (Gabby Hayes - in his final film).
On the trail, they are confronted by a toll bridge manned by Murphy (Douglas Kennedy) and Miller (Jim Davis). Redfern and company refuse to pay the toll and stampede the cattle across. Town boss Frank Walsh (Victor Jory) owns the bridge. Walsh sends his men to rustle the cattle but during the stampede, Evans is injured and Redfern is forced to amputate his left arm. Evans becomes bitter to the point of hiring out his gun to Walsh.
Redfern meanwhile, is befriended by independent saloon owner Francie Harris (Karin Booth) who grub stakes him for a go in the gold fields. Refern, Grizzly and Ling venture onto Indian lands and are captured. With the help of Grizzly's mule, the trio escape in different directions.
Redfern discovers a hidden valley suitable for cattle while panning for gold. He discover gold and returns to town where Walsh cheats him and incites the towns people to drive him out of town. By chance Redfern meets up with Grizzly who has returned to Montana and hooked up with his brother's family. Headed by the feisty Martha Winters (Mary Kent), they are driving their herd north. Along with Martha's daughter Jane (Mary Stuart) and foreman Will Gray (Dale Robertson), Redfern is offered a partnership in the venture.
Back in town, Walsh plots to steal the cattle. Mike Evans has a change of heart as Redfern returns to town to confront the Walsh gang and.....................................................
Randolph Scott could sleep walk through most of his westerns playing variations of the same character. But he did so in a most entertaining way. Gabby Hayes, who was anything but the be-whiskered old side kick he portrayed, goes out on a high note. Bill Williams never got to the big time but had a successful marriage to Barbara Hale and became the parents of actor William Katt. Victor Jory, always at his best when playing the villain, turns in another great show as the sneaky be-speckled, oily Walsh. Dale Robertson was just starting out at this time. Douglas Kennedy, Jim Davis and James Griffith also stood out as members of Walsh's gang.
Just a note. Since the story takes place in a lawless part of British Columbia with crime abounding, one has to wonder "Where were the Mounties"?
On the trail, they are confronted by a toll bridge manned by Murphy (Douglas Kennedy) and Miller (Jim Davis). Redfern and company refuse to pay the toll and stampede the cattle across. Town boss Frank Walsh (Victor Jory) owns the bridge. Walsh sends his men to rustle the cattle but during the stampede, Evans is injured and Redfern is forced to amputate his left arm. Evans becomes bitter to the point of hiring out his gun to Walsh.
Redfern meanwhile, is befriended by independent saloon owner Francie Harris (Karin Booth) who grub stakes him for a go in the gold fields. Refern, Grizzly and Ling venture onto Indian lands and are captured. With the help of Grizzly's mule, the trio escape in different directions.
Redfern discovers a hidden valley suitable for cattle while panning for gold. He discover gold and returns to town where Walsh cheats him and incites the towns people to drive him out of town. By chance Redfern meets up with Grizzly who has returned to Montana and hooked up with his brother's family. Headed by the feisty Martha Winters (Mary Kent), they are driving their herd north. Along with Martha's daughter Jane (Mary Stuart) and foreman Will Gray (Dale Robertson), Redfern is offered a partnership in the venture.
Back in town, Walsh plots to steal the cattle. Mike Evans has a change of heart as Redfern returns to town to confront the Walsh gang and.....................................................
Randolph Scott could sleep walk through most of his westerns playing variations of the same character. But he did so in a most entertaining way. Gabby Hayes, who was anything but the be-whiskered old side kick he portrayed, goes out on a high note. Bill Williams never got to the big time but had a successful marriage to Barbara Hale and became the parents of actor William Katt. Victor Jory, always at his best when playing the villain, turns in another great show as the sneaky be-speckled, oily Walsh. Dale Robertson was just starting out at this time. Douglas Kennedy, Jim Davis and James Griffith also stood out as members of Walsh's gang.
Just a note. Since the story takes place in a lawless part of British Columbia with crime abounding, one has to wonder "Where were the Mounties"?