zardoz-13 The title "Frontier Scout" is something of a misnomer because our hero in director Sam Newfield's western isn't a scout but rather a lawman. Nevertheless, as Grand National sagebrushers go, "Frontier Scout" is better-than-average as the eponymous protagonist solves the mystery of disappearing cattle herds in the Old West. "Knight of the Plains" director Newfield helmed over two-hundred-and-seventy films so he knew a thing or two about calling the shots on B-pictures. Actually, "Frontier Scout" qualifies as an entertaining if predictable outdoor yarn.The action unfolds during the last days of the American Civil War in 1865 as our hero Wild Bill Hickok (George Houston of "The Howards of Virginia") and his companions, Whiney Roberts (Al "Fuzzy" St. John of "Riders of Destiny") and Stephen Norris (George O'Brien of "42 Street"), return unscathed after Bill has slipped behind Confederate lines on a secret mission. Bill warns General U.S. Grant that the Southerners outnumber them 10-to-1, so Grant dispatches Bill on another mission to summon General Phil Sheridan's troops to even up the odds. Bill is promptly pursued by the Confederates when they spot him leaving Union lines. They blast away at Bill and it appears that they wound him, but he survives the apparent wound. Unfortunately for the rebels, Bill evades them by climbing into a tree while his horse gallops away and drops down on the last man to take his horse. The next thing we see is the New York Herald Tribune proclaiming General Lee's surrender. For the record, during one of Grant's conversations with an adjutant, the famous cigar chomping Grant points out erroneously that Lee was at the head of his class at West Point. In fact, Lee was the commandant.After the war, Bill runs into Steve's sister, Mary Ann Norris (Beth Marion of "Trail of Terror"), at a party and thanks her for saving his life. Bill explains that he had a photo of her in a case over his heart and the metal of the case deflected the bullet. Steve shows up and tells Bill that his sister and he are bound for the lawless town of Milton, Kansas, to embark on the cattle business because the Santa Fe is extending its railroad line into that town. No matter what Steve and his partner, Mort Bennett (Stephen Chase of "The Blob") do they find it impossible to ship cattle from the south to markets. Somebody is not only stealing their beeves, but they also are killing all the drovers. Bill is assigned to cover the territory as a federal marshal and Whitney accompanies him to Milton. Steve explains that they haven't been able to sell many cattle because the herds have mysteriously vanished. Not long after Bill hits town, somebody tries to gun him down. Eventually, Bill uncovers the villain and Steve and Mary are able to resume their profitable business. When they offer Bill a part in their company, our hero turns them down because he has other towns to clean up.Mind you, "Frontier Scout" is a formulaic western, but Newfield puts the cast through the paces and never wears out his welcome during those 61 minutes. The scenery looks pretty good and the land sprawls for miles. There are a couple of gunfights, and our protagonist figures out the identity of the villain, while Newfield tries to lead us astray with an effective red herring. Oddly enough, Al St. John gets few moments to mug for the camera. George Houston makes a rugged hero.

classicsoncall The draw for this picture would presumably be the character of Wild Bill Hickok, but when all is said and done, the story plays out pretty much like any of hundreds of 'B' programmers from the Thirties and Forties. George Houston presents a fairly rugged and good looking portrayal of the title character and it's pretty much his picture all the way. Al (Fuzzy) St. John is Wild Bill's sidekick, Whiney Roberts, and I have to give some writer credit here; Whiney does seem to be a cross between a fox terrier and a jackrabbit.The story itself is a fairly standard and typical one for an old Western. Cattle rustlers are stealing large herds and disposing of lawmen sent to investigate, so Wild Bill is called upon to lend his Civil War buddy Steve Norris (Dave O'Brien) a hand when his own herd goes missing. When you get right down to it, you have to wonder why Wild Bill was given a nominal partner for this one; Fuzzy doesn't have much to do here except watch Bill go one on one with the bad guys. At least he's comical to watch.I guess I shouldn't be, but I'm usually surprised to hear how black characters were treated in these old films. There's a party scene at the Norris home where Hickok calls over the black family butler, saying 'Oh, come here boy". It's a rather innocuous line, but Mantan Moreland is such a great character actor that he's able to brush it off easily enough. I would have liked to see more of him in the picture, but he was only around for a few minutes. That didn't stop him though, from getting in the film's best line in a funny scene with Fuzzy. Neither of them can read, but Moreland has a unique explanation for why he can't read a hand written note - "I can read readin', but I can't read writin'." You know, I thought about that for a while, and it almost made sense!

dbborroughs The first third if this film takes place at the close of the American Civil War as Wild Bill Hickock goes once more behind enemy lines to get information which will end the war quickly. He shot but saved by the framed picture of the sister of his friend Steve. After the war Steve has relocated to the West where he has a company that ships cattle. Unfortunately the cattle have begun to disappear and the people who go to look for them also go missing, something thats included two marshals. A third marshal is sent who just happens to be Steve's old friend Wild Bill.A good little western that benefits from great casting. Everyone in the cast gives it a just enough that you actually care about everyone and it doesn't seem to be yet another factory produced western. If there is any real flaw to the film its simply that it's much too easy to spot the villain, it maybe a spoiler to point out that the small cast doesn't leave many possibilities. No its not the best western ever made but it is a good way to pass an hour.A word of warning, Alpha Video is listing Mantan Moreland on the cover of the video release as one of the stars of the film (the reason I picked the film up). To be certain he does appear in the film, but it is only in two brief scenes at a party that celebrates the close of the Civil War, maybe three or four minutes total (He's listed last in the on screen credits). If you're getting it just for Moreland rent it or wait for TV since the brevity of his appearance alone does not warrant spending a great deal of money to see it. (Though it is a very good program western and worth seeing on its own merits) 6.5 out of 10, 6 for IMDb purposes.

Snow Leopard Although it does have its moments, this B-Western just doesn't work very well, despite some real potential. The story had possibilities, with its combination of historical characters and some fictional settings that promised some action, but the pace is uneven, and it never really seems to fit together very well.The plot starts by following Wild Bill Hickok in some rather interesting Civil War adventures, and then after the war it takes him west to show his efforts in dealing with a large gang of cattle rustlers. Though it all gets off to a decent start, it ends up managing to be both predictable and implausible at the same time.George Houston has a little energy in the lead role, and is not all that bad, but you just expect a lot more from a character who is supposed to be Wild Bill Hickok. As his war buddy and sidekick, Fuzzy St. John is all right, but he only gets a couple of chances to do anything interesting.There are some action scenes that are reasonably entertaining, but they don't really stand out, either. There's nothing exceptionally poor or bothersome about "Frontier Scout", but as you watch it, you keep thinking that there ought to be something more worthwhile to it, yet it just never really gets off the ground.