Little Joe, the Wrangler (1942)

In the gritty mining town of Lamplight, crime runs rampant and lawman Bob Brewster (Tex Ritter) struggles to quell the rising tide of outlaw activity. The desperados, cloaked in the guise of ordinary miners, craft a cunning scheme to divert attention from their nefarious deeds. They accuse a stranger, Neal Wallace (Johnny Mack Brown), of a murder most foul, masterfully masking their own malevolent machinations. But luck is in Neal's favor as he finds an ally in the affable Little Joe Smith (Fuzzy Knight) who rescues him from the brink of a hasty lynching. Neal unveils his true identity - he's an officer from the Monarch Mine, sent to investigate the mysterious losses plaguing the gold mine. At Sheriff Bob's ranch, he encounters the skeptical Janet Hammond (Jennifer Holt), who remains unconvinced of his innocence until a timely telegram confirms his identity. With his innocence established, Neal joins forces with Sheriff Bob, and they hatch a plan to corral the criminal gang that had falsely accused him. But the outlaws, learning about the telegram, take drastic action. They seize Janet, load up their ill-gotten gold, and plot their escape. A thrilling rescue mission ensues as Neal, Bob, and Little Joe saddle up to save Janet while a posse, rallied by the miners' leader, closes in on the outlaws. The climax erupts at the ore smelter, where the outlaws find themselves besieged. A thunderous gunfight breaks out, and Janet's safety hangs in the balance. Amidst the chaos, the outlaw leaders are finally subdued, not just by the relentless gunfire, but in an adrenaline-fueled melee with Bob and Neal. As the dust settles, justice reigns in Lamplight, and the once besieged mining town breathes a sigh of relief.

Little Joe, the Wrangler is a western movie featuring Johnny Mack Brown and directed by Lewis D. Collins.

Little Joe, the Wrangler is currently streaming on Starz.