TAKE ME BACK TO OKLAHOMA (1940) Tex Ritter, Karl Hackett & Bob Wills | Drama, Western | B&W

Take Me Back to Oklahoma is a 1940 American Western film directed by Albert Herman and starring Tex Ritter, Karl Hackett and Bob Wills.

SYNOPSIS
Tex and his sidekick Slim arrive in Peeko to aid Tex's friend, Ace Hutchinson, the foreman of the Peeko Stage Line. The stage line, owned by Jane Winters, is under attack by the ruthless Storm and his gang, who aim to seize control. Storm plots to discredit Tex by framing him with stolen church funds planted in his saddlebags. To ensure Tex's removal, Storm hires Mule Bates, a hired killer. However, Tex and Bates have a history and secretly plan to outwit Storm.

Bates, moved by Tex's kindness towards his son, reveals Storm's scheme to Tex. Tex and Bates stage a staged duel, fooling Storm into thinking Bates has eliminated Tex. Storm, not satisfied, betrays Bates and shoots him. On the day of the critical stagecoach race to determine the franchise, Tex takes the reins from Ace, foils Storm's schemes, and secures victory for Jane. Storm is apprehended with Bates's testimony, clearing Tex of all accusations and securing justice for the stage line.

CAST & CREW
Tex Ritter as Tex Lawton
Bob Wills as Himself, leader Texas Playboys
Slim Andrews as Slim Hunkapillar
Terry Walker as Jane Winters
Robert McKenzie as Deacon Ames
Karl Hackett as Storm
Donald Curtis as Henchman Snapper
Gene Alsace as Henchman Red
Olin Francis as Mule Bates
Carleton Young as Ace Hutchinson
George Eldredge as Sheriff
Johnny Lee Wills as Texas Playboy
Leon McAuliffe as Texas Playboy
Son Caz Lansford as Texas Playboy
Wayne Johnson as Texas Playboy
Eldon Shamblin as Texas Playboy
White Flash as Tex's Horse

Director: Albert Herman
Written by: Robert Emmett Tansey (screenplay)
Produced by: Edward Finney
Cinematography: Marcel Le Picard
Edited by: Frederick Bain
Production Company: Edward F. Finney Productions
Distributed by: Monogram Pictures
Release Date: November 11, 1940
Running Time: 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English

NOTES
Music for the film was done by Bob Willis along with part of the Texas Playboys. His 1940 trip to Hollywood for the film introduced his music to the West Coast. The film worked Willis and the Playboys into the cast as part of the film. Most of the band remained in Tulsa as the contract was for a small string band, but he returned to Hollywood in 1941 with the entire band to film Go West, Young Lady.

In his book Back in the Saddle, film critic Gary Yoggy noted that Take Me Back to Oklahoma was one of Tex Ritter's best films.