YOUNG BILL HICKOK (1940) Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes & Julie Bishop | Drama, Western | B&W

Young Bill Hickok is a 1940 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Roy Rogers.

SYNOPSIS
In the midst of the Civil War's final days, Bill Hickok and his steadfast ally Calamity Jane confront a foreign agent and his guerrilla band set on seizing Western territory. The agent, working to control California during the war's chaos, employs Morrell and his Overland Raiders to disrupt vital communications to the east by raiding stagecoaches and Pony Express horses.

Bill is dispatched to a relay station to safeguard the ponies, where he faces off against the Raiders. Calamity and Gabby, horse traders for the stations, arrive with their Indian helpers and join forces with Bill after he defeats the Raiders. Despite Bill's injury, Calamity and Gabby stay on to assist.

During this time, Bill's former fiancée, Louise Mason, seeks reconciliation after their past split over allegiances to the North and South. They plan to wed, but Marshal Evans tasks Bill with transporting gold eastward to aid the Federal war effort. Knowing it's perilous, Bill deceives by sending the gold with Gabby and Calamity while feigning to take it himself.

Louise inadvertently exposes Bill's ruse to Tower, who frames Bill as the Raiders' leader. Gabby warns Bill of the impending danger, aiding his escape when captured. Pursuing Tower and the Raiders, Bill and the Marshal prevail, culminating in Tower's capture and the war's end.

With peace restored, Bill and Louise finally marry, marking a new chapter after overcoming war and treachery.

CAST & CREW
Roy Rogers as "Wild" Bill Hickok
George 'Gabby' Hayes as "Gabby" Whitaker
Julie Bishop as Louise Mason
John Miljan as Nicholas Tower
Sally Payne as Miss "Calamity" Jane Canary
Archie Twitchell as Phillip
Monte Blue as Marshal Evans
Hal Taliaferro as Morrell
Ethel Wales as Mrs. Stout
Jack Ingram as Henchman Red Burke
Monte Montague as Charlie Majors

Director: Joseph Kane
Writers: Olive Cooper (original screenplay), Norton S. Parker (original screenplay)
Producer: Joseph Kane (associate producer)
Cinematography: William Nobles
Editing: Lester Orlebeck
Production Company: Republic Pictures
Distribution: Republic Pictures
Release Date: October 21, 1940 (United States)
Running Time: 59 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English