By no means is William Boyd's Hopalong Cassidy a bizarre entity, but the cinematic version of Clarence E. Mulford's crusty, literary character still fits my blog's offbeat niche, if only compared to today's middle-of-the-road mainstream. Also, Hoppy is as much a rough-and-tough do-gooder as any superhero (old, new or revised), and Boyd's portrayal, which commenced in 1935, is as iconic as any slice of American mythology. That kids today don't dig (let alone know) Boyd is the bizarre thing, but for those of us who respect classic crusaders, keeping Hoppy's legacy active is paramount (pun intended, to those in the know).
Thanks to Echo Bridge Home Entertainment, "Hopalong Cassidy: the Ultimate Collector's Edition" supplies all sixty-six films of the sarsaparilla-drinkin' "Cowboy Who Did Right": a great way to reestablish Boyd and Cassidy, who became simultaneously idolized by matinee attendees (along with a slew of accompanying radio shows) and later, a whole, new generation of television viewers.
Though the Echo Bridge selections aren't remastered in the way of THX, these black-and-white submissions still look sharp and sound crisp. More than a few of the movies had made their way to VHS and DVD over the years, including "Bar 20"; "The Frontiersman"; "Hidden Gold"; "Hopalong Cassidy Rides Again"; "Hoppy's Holiday"; and "The Showdown", but they sure look a whole lot nicer as part of this charming set.
What's especially refreshing in light of today's fodder is that Hoppy isn't weighed by shades of gray. His films pave basic paths to righting wrongs, with our hero's Texan Bar 20 Ranch typically in the backdrop and his trusty horse, Topper along for the ride. In fact, Hoppy's adventures are on the same straight-forward par as those of Gene Autry; Roy Rogers; Bob Steele; Lash La Rue; the Cisco Kid; the Lone Ranger; and Zorro. And like those distinguished heroes, Hoppy is never afraid to use fisticuffs and pistols as supplementary means to assist the harassed and downtrodden, but also never intercedes unless it's necessary.
As further incentive for purchasing Echo Bridge's collection, film buffs will get a kick at catching Superman-to-be-stars, Kirk Alyn and George Reeves among these cautionary tales, as well as Rand Brooks; Andy Clyde; James "Jimmy" Ellison; Russell Hayden; George "Gabby" Hayes; and film-noir champ, Robert Mitchum. Hot dog!
They sure don't make 'em like this anymore, and that's a pity. Still, thanks to companies like Echo Bridge, one can yet (re)discover these action-packed gems and be pleased (and at ease) in gathering the family around for some good, old-fashioned fun. At about an hour each, the flicks sure do fly by and are an ideal way to cap off a hard day of work or school. (To add to the enjoyment, the films are accessorized by comic-strip, photo and poster galleries, plus three Hoppy radio shows.)
"Hopalong Cassidy: The Ultimate Collector's Edition" can be purchased from any number of online sources, including oldies.com, eBay and Amazon. (Sets generally run about $30 - $40.) This is a terrific and inexpensive way to invite one of the greatest, cinematic, cowboy crusaders into one's cozy homestead.
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