Trooper Hook Reviews

After capturing a band of Apaches, sergeant McCrea discovers Stanwyck, a kidnaped white woman, in their midst. He is to escort her home to Dehner, her homesteader husband, but problems arise when she refuses to give up Lawrence, the half-breed son she bore in captivity. Acosta, the Apache chief and father of Lawrence, is determined to regain his son. He takes a band of warriors and attacks the stagecoach McCrea, Stanwyck, and Lawrence are aboard. McCrea threatens to kill the boy if Acosta's group attacks, forcing the chief to retreat. Finally the three reach Dehner, but he refuses to accept the half-breed boy. Acosta returns and engages Dehner in battle. The two are killed, leaving Stanwyck and McCrea to begin a life together. Initially this was attacked by critics for taking on issues of race and sex. Though the ending is wholly contrived and the script overwritten in parts, TROOPER HOOK is well acted by the leads and raises some interesting issues in an unflinching manner. McCrea and Stanwyck have an interesting chemistry, and Acosta gives good support. The title song was sung by series-western veteran Tex Ritter.