"Trail of the Rustlers" was one of the better latter day Durango Kid westerns starring Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnette.
An outlaw known as Big Slim is captured by the Durango Kid and is killed trying to escape (courtesy of stock footage). It turns out that Slim was the son of Mrs. Mahoney (Mira McKinney) a respected town citizen. But unbeknownst to the townsfolk, Mrs. McKinney is the leader of a gang which includes her other two sons Chick (Don C. Harvey) and Ben (Myron Healey). They are trying to drive local ranchers away so that they can buy up their lands on the cheap.
Believing that Durango was responsible for Big Slim's death, Chick impersonates Durango in raids on the local ranches including stock footage of stampeding their cattle. By doing so, the gang hopes to draw Durango to the area in order to gain their revenge. Steve Armitage (Starrett) arrives just after Chick (as Durango) kills the owner of the Hyland Ranch as daughter Mart Ellen (Gail Davis) and son Todd (Tommy Ivo) look on. Young Todd had been an admirer of Durango until now and Steve tries to convince him otherwise.
As it turns out unknown to the locals, there is an underground river crossing beneath the ranches. The Mahoneys convince local blacksmith Smiley Burnette to aid them in buying up the properties at low prices. Smiley thinks that the money comes from a land developer in St. Louis. Durango intervenes and.................................................................................................
Starrett manages to get into a rough and tumble fight with henchman Bob (Chuck Roberson). Roberson was a top stunt man who later became John Wayne's stunt double for many years. I couldn't find out for sure if he doubled Starrett in this picture, but I suspect that he did being similar in build to Jock Mahoney who had moved on to larger roles in "A" features and serials. Gail Davis, who has a small role here, went on to play opposite Gene Autry and star in her own show "Annie Oakley".
Poor old Myron Healey again doesn't receive billing even though he was one of the most recognizable bad guys of the era. Eddie Cletro and the Round up Boys along with Burnette provide the musical entertainment. And. the three Durangos were Starrett of course, Harvey and young Ivo whose costume was a miniature Durango right down to the horse Raider.
An outlaw known as Big Slim is captured by the Durango Kid and is killed trying to escape (courtesy of stock footage). It turns out that Slim was the son of Mrs. Mahoney (Mira McKinney) a respected town citizen. But unbeknownst to the townsfolk, Mrs. McKinney is the leader of a gang which includes her other two sons Chick (Don C. Harvey) and Ben (Myron Healey). They are trying to drive local ranchers away so that they can buy up their lands on the cheap.
Believing that Durango was responsible for Big Slim's death, Chick impersonates Durango in raids on the local ranches including stock footage of stampeding their cattle. By doing so, the gang hopes to draw Durango to the area in order to gain their revenge. Steve Armitage (Starrett) arrives just after Chick (as Durango) kills the owner of the Hyland Ranch as daughter Mart Ellen (Gail Davis) and son Todd (Tommy Ivo) look on. Young Todd had been an admirer of Durango until now and Steve tries to convince him otherwise.
As it turns out unknown to the locals, there is an underground river crossing beneath the ranches. The Mahoneys convince local blacksmith Smiley Burnette to aid them in buying up the properties at low prices. Smiley thinks that the money comes from a land developer in St. Louis. Durango intervenes and.................................................................................................
Starrett manages to get into a rough and tumble fight with henchman Bob (Chuck Roberson). Roberson was a top stunt man who later became John Wayne's stunt double for many years. I couldn't find out for sure if he doubled Starrett in this picture, but I suspect that he did being similar in build to Jock Mahoney who had moved on to larger roles in "A" features and serials. Gail Davis, who has a small role here, went on to play opposite Gene Autry and star in her own show "Annie Oakley".
Poor old Myron Healey again doesn't receive billing even though he was one of the most recognizable bad guys of the era. Eddie Cletro and the Round up Boys along with Burnette provide the musical entertainment. And. the three Durangos were Starrett of course, Harvey and young Ivo whose costume was a miniature Durango right down to the horse Raider.