The Phantom of the Range (1936)

In the troubled heart of the West, the specter of the past haunts the present. Hiram Moore (John Elliott), a notorious rancher known for his penny-pinching ways, is rumored to have stashed a fortune somewhere within his sprawling land before his demise, with the key to this treasure concealed within his own portrait. Following his death, a curse seems to descend upon his property, with whispers of a ghostly rider filling the night air, turning prospective buyers away in fear. A year after Hiram's death, the winds of change blow in Jeanne Moore (Beth Marion), his feisty granddaughter from Santa Fe, who arrives to stake her claim on the estate. Her path crosses with the charismatic rancher Jerry Lane (Tom Tyler), who, having sold his own ranch, is in the market for a new property. At the public auction, a battle of bids ensues, with Jerry outwitting not just Jeanne but also a band of crooks keen on acquiring the ranch for its hidden treasure. Once the owner, Jerry extends a hand of hospitality to Jeanne, inviting her to stay on the ranch and enlisting the services of the eccentric Cockney, Eddie Parsons (Sammy Cohen), as his valet. Unbeknownst to them, the ranch's housekeeper, Perdita (Soledad Jimenez), is a mole for rival rancher Brandon (Forrest Taylor). As the intrigue grows, the portrait containing the map is stolen by Brandon, only to discover that the map has already been purloined by kleptomaniac Eddie. The map reveals that the coveted treasure is buried at Tower Rock, only to be unveiled under the ghostly glow of a full moon. As the moon completes its cycle, tensions escalate. Tex, a gang member working for Brandon and the man behind the phantom rider rumor, decides to reveal the truth to Jerry. However, his intentions are cut short by a bullet from Brandon's foreman, Mark Graydon (Charles King). In a twist of fate, Jerry is framed for the murder, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown, where secrets will be unveiled, and lives will forever be changed.

The Phantom of the Range is a western movie featuring Tom Tyler and directed by Robert F. Hill.

The Phantom of the Range is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Public Domain Movies and Tubi TV.