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Whirlwind Raiders

  • 1948
  • Approved
  • 54m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
69
YOUR RATING
Smiley Burnette, Doye O'Dell, Don Reynolds, Charles Starrett, and The Radio Rangers in Whirlwind Raiders (1948)
DramaWestern

The Durango Kid battles a gang of outlaws that trick people by calling themselves the "Texas State Police."The Durango Kid battles a gang of outlaws that trick people by calling themselves the "Texas State Police."The Durango Kid battles a gang of outlaws that trick people by calling themselves the "Texas State Police."

  • Director
    • Vernon Keays
  • Writer
    • Norman S. Hall
  • Stars
    • Charles Starrett
    • Don Reynolds
    • Nancy Saunders
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    69
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Vernon Keays
    • Writer
      • Norman S. Hall
    • Stars
      • Charles Starrett
      • Don Reynolds
      • Nancy Saunders
    • 4User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos2

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    Top cast16

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    Charles Starrett
    Charles Starrett
    • Steve Lanning…
    Don Reynolds
    • Tommy Ross
    • (as Little Brown Jug)
    Nancy Saunders
    Nancy Saunders
    • Claire Ross
    Fred F. Sears
    Fred F. Sears
    • Tracy Beaumont
    • (as Fred Sears)
    Doye O'Dell
    Doye O'Dell
    • Guitar Player
    The Radio Rangers
    • Western Band
    Smiley Burnette
    Smiley Burnette
    • Smiley Burnette
    Lynn Farr
    • Slim - Henchman
    • (uncredited)
    Herman Hack
    Herman Hack
    • Barfly
    • (uncredited)
    Patrick Hurst
    • Bill Webster
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Ingram
    Jack Ingram
    • Capt. Buff Tyson
    • (uncredited)
    Frank LaRue
    Frank LaRue
    • Wilson
    • (uncredited)
    Russell Meeker
    • Charlie
    • (uncredited)
    Philip Morris
    • Homer Ross
    • (uncredited)
    Eddie Parker
    Eddie Parker
    • Red Jordan - Henchman
    • (uncredited)
    Maudie Prickett
    Maudie Prickett
    • Mrs. Wallace
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Vernon Keays
    • Writer
      • Norman S. Hall
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews4

    6.669
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    Featured reviews

    6coltras35

    Whirlwind Raiders

    It's 1873 and the disbanded Texas Rangers have been replaced by the corrupt Texas State Police. Steve Lanning arrives posing as a wanted outlaw to get in with them in his attempt to have them replaced. His inside work helps the Durango Kid break up the State Police raids but he is in trouble when his secret identity as Durango becomes known to them.

    The Durango Kid take on the Texas State Police and Fred F Sear's scheming villain in this standard yet enjoyable entry which has some good toe tapping songs and a better than average comedy routine by Smiley Burnette who tinkers a lot as a tinkerer who is plumbed tinkered out by the end of the film.
    5krorie

    This time Smiley saves the day

    I've read that Smiley "Frog" Burnette and Charles Starrett didn't get alone so well in real life because when they made their first film together Smiley told Starrett that he had been sent by the studio to bail him out. That may not have been exactly true but it is true for this particular outing. Smiley was an extremely talented songwriter and entertainer but he left a little to be desired as a sidekick. I always thought his humor appealed mainly to the preschool crowd. I always liked Gabby Hayes and Fuzzy St. John better. But in this film, Smiley really shines. His comedy is much better too. So I recommend this particular Durango Kid to see Smiley at his best. Otherwise, it's a typical Charles Starrett/Durango Kid feature. One reviewer pointed out that the Kid's identity is revealed for the first and only time in a movie. So that would be another reason to watch Whirlwind Raiders. As usual in a Saturday afternoon oater, the title has very little to do with the story except to indicate that there is plenty of action.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Final film as director for Vernon Keays.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Narrator: In 1873, the justly famed Texas Rangers had been disbanded. In their places rode an evil crew who looted and killed under the protection of the state police badges they wore.

    • Soundtracks
      I'm Looking Poor but Feeling Rich
      Written by Smiley Burnette

      Performed by Smiley Burnette

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 13, 1948 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • State Police
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      54 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Contribute to this page

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    Smiley Burnette, Doye O'Dell, Don Reynolds, Charles Starrett, and The Radio Rangers in Whirlwind Raiders (1948)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Whirlwind Raiders (1948) officially released in Canada in English?
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