Bill Elliott Mysteries

Bill Elliott went through a character metamorphosis during his film career. He began in the 1930s billed (when it happened) as Gordon Elliott and seen mostly as inconsequential characters in tuxedos in lesser Warner Bros fare. Moving on to Columbia Pictures later in the 30's, he became Bill Elliott co-starring with Tex Ritter in Saturday matinee westerns. Without Ritter he was starred in two Columbia western serials, one as Wild Bill Hickok. Then Republic contracted him for a western series billed as Wild Bill Elliott. He was still Wild Bill Elliott in a series of Red Ryder westerns. Next Republic renamed him William Elliott and starred him in a series of big budget color westerns. Moving next in the 1950s to Allied Artists (read cheap Monogram Pictures) for a short-lived series of westerns and modern day police tales. Warner Bros. released what they call Bill Elliott Mysteries, four 65-minute and less in length. Less mystery than procedural in tone, Elliott portrays a lieutenant in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. In the first he is Andy Flynn, then in next three for some unexplained reason he is Andy Doyle, but always the same character. Filmed in 1954-57, content-wise, the films, though well-acted, are tame compared to what was happening in bigger budget films and on TV in those days. However, these films were designed to play in small town theaters across America and back then there were prolific racking up studio profits. Call these Guilty Pleasure movies and enjoy.

Four of the five titles are flawlessly transferred to DVDs. One title has several "lab splices" which are imperfect, but the remainder of that title is flawless. Cue marks have been removed, as is the standard practice these days.While these titles were filmed at the conventional (negative) aspect ratio (1.37:1), these titles were transferred at the preferred (theatrical) "flat widescreen" aspect ratio (1.85:1), which has been more-or-less standard since 1954.Sound is very good to exceptional, particularly on the final title in this series (Footsteps in the Night).The discs are MOD (made on demand) and are, therefore, DVD recordings, not DVD pressings, so these are less scratch-resistant.

In this Mysteries series from Allied Artists Pictures, Bill Elliott is rough as ever, but instead of looking like the cowboy with boots and spurs, he is a well-dressed, comparatively sophisticated-looking man in the large twentieth-century Los Angeles County. In some ways, the physical attributes in the movies of this mystery series are similar: there are fist-fights and gun fights. On the other hand, there are some differences. Again, Bill Elliott (as Lt. Andy Flynn in the first movie and then as Lt. Andy Doyle in the subsequent films) is nicely and professionally dressed in dark suit, dark necktie, and white shirt. Character-wise, he is as rough, low-keyed, and awe-inspiring as in any of his previous westerns. In the last three films of this series. The short and stocky tough-guy character actor Dan Haggerty gives strong support as his partner Sgt. Mike Duncan in the last three of these films. And in all the films he is also given support by cast members Helene Stanley, Keith Larsen, James Best, and Lyle Talbot, just to name a few. The films are attention-maintaining and exciting, and thus are worth the time to see them.

For the reason stated above I bought this set to see how "Wild Bill" fared having swapped his western garb for "civvies". The set, as with others purchased, arrived in good condition and picture and sound quality were both first class. Now these films are almost 60 years old and were shot with a minimal budget so, with running times of 65 minutes or less, don't expect complicated plots or in depth characterisations. Nor should you look for CSI forensics, these films were made in the days whereby the case was solved by the heroes instinct and hunches. Having said all that, I enjoyed sitting back and watching this undemanding fare. A good exercise in seeing how you don't need to spend lots of cash to make little thrillers like these

"Wild" Bill Elliott has always been my second favorite western star after Charles Starrett. My favorite Wild Bill westerns were his first four under Larry Darmour productions done for Columbia Studios, followed by the equally excellent "Wild Bill Saunders" group of Westerns. The series he did partnering withTex Ritter were also a favorite. After leaving Columbia in the early 1940s to do the Wild Bill Elliott series with sidekick Gabby Hayes at Republic Studios, he really took off as an even bigger Saturday matinee favorite when he began portraying the famed "Red Ryder" character with sidekick, Robert Blake as "Little Beaver". I can still see Bill Elliott emerging from within the Oversized Red Ryder hardback with both guns blazing, and quickly reholstered. When Bill Elliott began casting in a series of detective movies with Allied Artists in the late 1950s, I found it to be an interesting transition trading his horse for an unmarked patrol car, investigating murder mysteries. This is a very nice set of Bill Elliott Detective movies which I found quite entertaining. Highly http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/NY-AG811_HARLEM_G_20100609193223.jpgRecommended.

This set of police/detective movies featuring western/cowboy star Bill Elliott towards the end of his career. Just a quick warning this set may not be to everyone's taste. If you are looking for the "I'm just a peaceable guy" Bill Elliott he isn't here. These movies were shot on a shoestring budget, with very cheap sets, and not such a great supporting cast. The stories are just okay at best, and Elliott does what he can with the material he has been given. But it can be fun if you are a fan of really bad movies/mysteries!

Five intriguing detective films with top cowboy star Bill Elliott headlining. Little seen, but they should be, with Keith Larsen Beverly Garland Jimmy Lydon, and Don Haggerty in support. A curiosity for sure, but good viewing.