ThedevilChoose When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Tayyab Torres Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

JohnHowardReid United Artists, 12 March 1943, George Archainbaud. Based on the 1941 novel, Hopalong Cassidy Serves a Writ, by Clarence Edward Mulford.CAST: William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Jay Kirby, Victor Jory, George Reeves, Jan Christy, Hal Taliaferro, Forbes Murray, Bob Mitchum, Byron Foulger, Earle Hodgins, Roy Barcroft, Ben Corbett. 67 minutes. (Available on an excellent Echo Bridge or a likewise Platinum Disc DVD). COMMENT: Number 44 (or 46, depending upon whose numbering system you're using - Zinman's or Marill's) -- in the series, is the first to be directed by George Archainbaud who handled all twelve of Boyd's personal productions (numbers 55 through 66). Good old George A. certainly commences his stint most promisingly. There's a first-class fight between Hoppy and the villain and other sequences of excitingly staged action. True, the climax itself is a bit disappointing, but that can't be blamed on the director. It's simply the way Gerald Geraghty's script (based on an actual Mulford novel for a change) pans out. On the other hand, this makes the movie a bit different from others in the series where all the action is saved for the final reel. To accommodate dark stock footage, Russell Harlan's photography is slightly below his usual brilliant standard. Of course, what most people will want to know is how Robert Mitchum comes out of this affair. Bob plays a member of the cattle rustling gang. He figures in a few scenes and even has one or two lines, but then unaccountably disappears. We don't see him at the climax at all. According to Marill, the correct order of the Mitchum Hoppies is Border Patrol, this one, The Leather Burners, Colt Comrades, Bar 20, False Colors, and Riders of the Deadline.

bkoganbing In Hoppy Serves A Writ Hopalong Cassidy is a sheriff and serving writs is certainly part of those duties. But when you're a Texas lawman and the outlaws are fleeing to Oklahoma Territory that becomes a problem. The outlaws are not only are fleeing to Oklahoma, but they're taking a large amount of rustled cattle there.In real life this would have been a joint operation between the Texas sheriff and some federal marshals for the Territory. But this is a Hollywood western and a Hopalong Cassidy western and Hoppy settles his own problems albeit with a little incognito spy work. And these are all purpose outlaws that Victor Jory heads they don't specialize.Hoppy's sidekicks are a little more useless than usual Andy Clyde especially. Though when the outlaws capture he doesn't crack under their brutality. Eventually its California who serves the writ and he does make a botch of it in his inimitable fashion.Victor Jory is always a nasty and snarling villain and Jory did many a Hoppy film. So did future television Superman George Reeves who plays Jory's younger brother. Further down the cast list and making his film debut is Robert Mitchum definitely the most famous actor to ever appear in Hopalong Cassidy films. Mitchum is one of Jory's henchmen and he did several Cassidy films usually as an outlaw.Not one of the better Hoppy films, but the film is the birth of the a screen legend.

chesterbosco I find this an excellent departure from the usual Hoppy routine. The dialog when Hoppy is checking into the hotel is worth the price of admission. Maybe it's just me but I find it side splitting, and a tad more adult than you'd expect from either a Hoppy movie or any movie made in 1943. William Boyd's personality is as winning as ever. Seeing Robert Mitchum's first film appearance is a hoot and George Reeves inclusion is welcome, as always. Both Mitchum and Reeves would be regulars in the Hoppy films for several years, alternating between the bad guy and the good guy. That's all I've got to say on this subject. I have to add some lines to get this to be accepted by IMDb.

wrbtu Unlike the later Hoppy films, this one doesn't follow a mystery outline. We know who the baddie is from pretty near the beginning, & it's just a matter of catching him. Victor Jory (who had already starred in "The Shadow" & "The Green Archer" serials), is featured in this film. George Reeves (later TV's "Superman") has a small part. And Robert Mitchum has a short line. Jan Christy (the heroine) is prettier than most of the Hoppy heroines. Andy Clyde (as "California") gets a serious beating, & "Johnny" (Jay Kirby) doesn't act as silly as other Johnnies in this series. Sounds like it has a lot going for it, doesn't it? Not so, because there's little action aside from a couple of good fight scenes & about three gunfights. The plot is weak, & it's not helped by the fact that there's no mystery involved. Hoppy wears all black at the beginning & end of the film, & wears his rancher's outfit in the middle. It doesn't even have the usual dose of humor for a Hoppy film. I rate it only 5/10.