Rustlers

Rustlers

Year: 1949

Runtime: 61 mins

Language: English

Director: Lesley Selander

Western

Arizona ranchers desperate to expose the Salt River Gang hand over cash to retrieve Frank Abbott’s stolen cattle. Drifters Dick McBride and Chito Rafferty are blamed when they are found with the money they actually won at Brad Carew’s casino—Carew being a gang member. The duo escape jail and chase Carew, hoping the chase will reveal the gang’s leader.

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Timeline & Setting – Rustlers (1949)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Rustlers (1949). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century

The events unfold in the classic Old West era, when cattle rustling and frontier justice shaped daily life. Outlaws, lawmen, and ranchers navigate shifting loyalties and quick, perilous confrontations. The town’s precarious economy depends on swift, decisive action against threats.

Location

Trail Cross, Arizona, Bar One Ranch, Arizona

Trail Cross sits in the Arizona frontier, where dusty streets, rough justice, and cattle business collide around the Bar One ranch. The Bar One serves as the social hub for deals, grudges, and conflicts that propel the plot. Its saloon and surrounding ranches embody the rough, lawless atmosphere of the Old West.

🪵 Frontier town 🐄 Cattle country 🎭 Saloon culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:26

Main Characters – Rustlers (1949)

Meet the key characters of Rustlers (1949), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dick McBride (Tim Holt)

A capable, quick-witted cowhand who arrives in Trail Cross with Chito and quickly proves his sense for danger. He disarms criminals, outmaneuvers schemers, and helps secure a stake in the Bar One for himself and Chito. His confidence pairs with a stubborn loyalty to his partner and Ruth as they work to thwart the gang.

🤠 Hero 🗺️ Western 🎯 Quick-draw

Chito Rafferty (Richard Martin)

Dick's witty, resourceful sidekick who lightens tense moments while turning situations to their advantage. He seizes opportunities, including the money caper, to fund a stake in the Bar One. His loyalty to Dick drives the pair to press on against the rustlers.

🤹‍♂️ Sidekick 🧭 Witty 🏜️ Frontier

Ruth Abbott (Martha Hyer)

Frank Abbott's daughter, determined to thwart the rustlers and safeguard the Bar One’s future. She devises a plan to identify the thieves by marking the ransom money, pushing others to act. Ruth’s boldness propels critical decisions and earns respect from Dick and Chito.

💪 Determined 👩 Female Leadership 🏜️ Frontier

Frank Abbott (Addison Richards)

A wary rancher who contemplates selling the Bar One and clashes with rustlers over money and power. He supports Ruth’s plan and joins the effort to capture the gang, even as his interests color his actions. His tension with the rustlers reveals the precarious frontier economy.

🏜️ Rancher 🧭 Pragmatic 🌵 Frontier

Wheeler (Mort Wheeler)

Leader of the Salt River rustlers, a calculating and dangerous force who orders thefts and shoots to maintain control. He remains elusive until the climactic confrontation with Dick and Chito. Wheeler embodies the violent threat the heroes must overcome.

🗡️ Outlaw 🔥 Violent 🕶️ Menacing

Sheriff Harmon (Harry Shannon)

Trail Cross’s sheriff, whose authority masks his complicity with the gang. He schemes a staged jailbreak to kill Dick and Chito, only to be exposed by the heroes’ vigilance. Harmon's betrayal becomes a central puzzle that drives the town’s conflict.

👮 Authority 🗡️ Corrupt 🕯️ Betrayal

Brad Carew (Frank Fenton)

The saloon owner who colludes with Wheeler, handling the gang’s money and manipulation while staying one step ahead of the law. His duplicity leads to tense stand-offs and a dramatic confession under pressure. Carew’s ambition fuels the rustlers’ cash flow and the town’s danger.

🏨 Saloon Keeper 🗝️ Conniving 🌵 Frontier

Trixie Fontaine (Lois Andrews)

A lively saloon singer who becomes an ally to Dick and Chito, offering crucial information and a clever escape plan. She engineers a cake with a hidden gun to aid the heroes. Trixie’s wit and charm help tilt the balance in the heroes’ favor.

🎤 Performer 🤝 Ally 🧭 Western

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:26

Major Themes – Rustlers (1949)

Explore the central themes of Rustlers (1949), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Justice

Rustlers centers on uncovering corruption and delivering truth in a town where power can shield criminals. Dick and Chito unravel deceptions tied to the sheriff and the gang, forcing a confrontation with who truly enforces law. The pursuit culminates in a confession and a plan to restore order in Trail Cross.

🤝 Partnership

Dick and Chito’s teamwork drives the narrative, combining daring with street smarts to outsmart the rustlers. Ruth’s calculated plan tests loyalties among allies, revealing who can be trusted under pressure. Together they undermine the gang and protect the Bar One’s future.

💪 Agency

Ruth asserts agency in a male-dominated frontier town by devising a scheme to expose the rustlers. Trixie contributes wit and courage, guiding the heroes and aiding in escapes. The story highlights female resourcefulness and resilience when stakes are high.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:26

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Rustlers Summary

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Rustlers Summary

Rustlers Timeline

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Rustlers Timeline

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