The Devil's Playground (1946)

Underneath a dappled western sky, our hero "Hopalong" Cassidy, flanked by his trusty cohorts "Lucky" Jenkins and "California" Carlson, trail a wayward calf as twilight descends, pushing them back towards their ranch. The sudden discovery of a blood-smeared doorknob at a desolate line-shack leads them on an unexpected detour. This crimson clue trails through their humble cabin, culminating in the discovery of an unconscious girl, her arm marred by a gunshot wound. As the night unfurls, the trio finds themselves entangled in a web of deception and danger. Their path is crossed by a devious dwarf and an alleged judge, who articulates a desperate search for his unhinged daughter. But all is not as it seems. The judge's intentions, far from paternal, are driven by greed and a relentless pursuit of a mythical cache of gold. The wounded girl, the supposed daughter, emerges as a bold heroine, driven not by avarice, but a quest for justice. She covets the stolen gold, not for personal gain, but to return it to its rightful owners. As Cassidy and his friends team up with the girl, they unearth the gold, only to find themselves ensnared by the judge and his henchmen, trapped within the confines of their own cabin. The Devil's Playground, the 55th film in the series, pitches Cassidy and his band against a malevolent judge in a taut and twisting tale of intrigue, illusion, and impending doom, all under the expansive canvas of the Wild West. This riveting saga, peppered with deceit, courage, and a relentless quest for justice, is bound to captivate its audience from beginning to end.

The Devil's Playground is a western movie featuring William Boyd and directed by George Archainbaud.

The Devil's Playground is currently streaming on Starz Play Amazon Channel.