A gathering of young talent.


 It’s important for a movie studio to find the stars of tomorrow and Universal was no exception. The general plan was to put them in a movie with an older, established star. Kansas Raiders, 1950 was one such movie.


From left to right. James Best, Audie Murphy, Brian Donlevy, Richard Long at Brian’s feet, Dewey Martin, and Tony Curtis. All would have a degree of success, but only Tony would make it as a major star for a prolonged period. Previous to this he was credited as Anthony Curtis, this was his first role as Tony. Born Bernie Schwartz, he took his last name from his favourite book, Anthony Adverse. Audie would also be extremely successful, but mainly in B pictures and had a big hit with, To Hell and Back, which was Universal’s biggest hit till Spielberg’s, Jaws.


Kansas Raiders told the story of Jesse James and others of the period. It’s an enjoyable yarn that rattles along with little in the way of historical accuracy and doesn’t stay in the memory too long.

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