Contemporary television crime drama forerunner

Don "Red" Barry is Jerry. the adopted son of Tom Holden and returns with him and Holden's son Tommy to Coldwater, after an absence of fifteen years. Local residents recruit Holden to become sheriff and fight local gang led by Smoke Denton. However, the true leader is local banker.

Tom Holden is murdered after he discovers gold and is duped into signing mine deed as collateral for bank loan. Holden's son Tommy, replaces his father as sheriff. Meanwhile Don Barry as Jerry is framed and convicted for a murder. He escapes and begins quest for justice.

Those are just the highlights of this fast-paced story which seems to be the forerunner of contemporary television crime dramas, with multiple story lines.

The only version on DVD is poor quality with some scenes nearly black and with little contrast. The few 16mm prints floating around are fair at best unless someone knows better.

Don "Red" Barry doesn't rise above pedestrian or journeyman. Adequate is the most appropriate adjective. Moreover, he never wears a sombrero so I have no idea why he is the Sombrero Kid. Unfortunately, unless you want to watch 16mm, there isn't a good version on DVD.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

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The Western genre features stories set primarily in the 19th-century American Old West and often depict the rugged frontier life, exploring themes of individualism, justice, morality, and the clash between civilization and the untamed wilderness. The genre has its roots in the historical context of westward expansion and the challenges faced by pioneers, settlers, outlaws, and lawmen.

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A US marshal is murdered by a gang run by the town boss. The marshal's son poses as an outlaw to infiltrate the gang and bring them to justice.

Don 'Red' Barry and Lynn Merrick in The Sombrero Kid (1942)

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Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Lynn Merrick in Stagecoach Express (1942)

Don 'Red' Barry and Lynn Merrick in Jesse James, Jr. (1942)

Noah Beery, Don 'Red' Barry, and Lynn Merrick in A Missouri Outlaw (1941)

Don 'Red' Barry and Lynn Merrick in The Apache Kid (1941)

Don 'Red' Barry and Lynn Merrick in The Cyclone Kid (1942)

Slim Andrews and Don 'Red' Barry in The Sombrero Kid (1942)

Don 'Red' Barry, Kenne Duncan, and Lynn Merrick in The Sombrero Kid (1942)

The Sombrero Kid

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