Tucson Raiders
Tucson Raiders is a 1944 American Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Wild Bill Elliott in the role of Red Ryder. It was the first of twenty-three Red Ryder feature films that would be produced by Republic Pictures. The picture was shot on the studio’s back lot along with outdoor locations at Iverson Ranch, 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Plot. "Tucson Raiders" is set in 1895’s Painted Valley, Colorado. Wild Bill Elliott, makes his first appearance as Red Ryder and Robert Blake’s first as Little Beaver, Red discovers  that he has been framed for murder. His little Indian pal, Little Beaver, manages to foil the corrupt Sheriff Kirk’s (Ed Cassidy) plan to kill Red as he escapes from jail. Hannah Rogers (Ruth Lee) in the pay of Governor York (Stanley Andrews), a dishonest politician, tries to trick Red in escaping jail. However, her scheme fails and Red Ryder shoots his way out. He manages to intercept a payroll robbery but finds that Little Beaver has been captured by the outlaws. "The "red headed"" cowboy exposes Hannah’s plot, saves Little Beaver and brings an end to Governor  York’s gang. Production. "Tucson Raiders" was based on Fred Harman’s comic strip, Red Ryder. It was the first of Republic's Red Ryder feature series and the first to star Wild Bill Elliott as Red Ryder and Robert Blake as Little Beaver. When Eliott was promoted up to the more adult features and replaced by Alan Lane, Blake continued on in the role for the remaining 22 films.