Forty Thieves (1944) in Color — Starring William Boyd & Andy Clyde

Forty Thieves (1944) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Forty Thieves, the 1944 American Western directed by Lesley Selander and starring William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy, now available as a professionally colorized version. Hoppy runs for sheriff, but loses to Jerry Doyle when every crook in town votes for Doyle. When Hoppy tries to remove him from office Tad Hammond hires 40 gunslingers to stop him. This classic Western represents another installment in the beloved Hopalong Cassidy series, featuring the iconic character in a tale of justice and frontier politics. With Andy Clyde as Deputy California Carson and Jimmy Rogers as Deputy Jimmy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy faces off against corrupt politicians and an army of hired guns in a story that combines action, suspense, and the timeless themes of Western justice. Shot in the classic Hollywood Western tradition, the film captures the rugged beauty of the American West and the moral clarity that defined the genre. This was the last Hopalong Cassidy film that producer Harry Sherman produced for United Artists. Own this classic Western in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

Hoppy runs for sheriff, but loses to Jerry Doyle when every crook in town votes for Doyle. When Hoppy tries to remove him from office Tad Hammond hires 40 gunslingers to stop him. When the town holds an election for sheriff, Hopalong Cassidy runs as the honest candidate, hoping to bring law and order to a community plagued by corruption. However, the election is rigged by the criminal element, with every crook in town voting for Jerry Doyle, ensuring his victory over Hoppy.

Recognizing that Doyle’s election was illegitimate and that the town remains under the control of criminals, Hoppy attempts to remove Doyle from office through legal means. Tad Hammond, a powerful businessman with criminal connections, responds by hiring 40 gunslingers to stop Hoppy and his allies from challenging Doyle’s authority. The situation escalates into open conflict as Hammond’s hired guns arrive in town to enforce the corrupt sheriff’s rule.

With the help of Deputy California Carson and Deputy Jimmy Rogers, Hoppy confronts the army of hired gunslingers. The outnumbered lawmen must use their skills, experience, and knowledge of the territory to defeat Hammond’s forces and restore legitimate government to the town. After a series of confrontations and strategic maneuvers, the outlaws are stopped and Hammond’s grip on the town is broken. With justice restored, Deputy California Carson runs for sheriff in a fair election, representing a new beginning for the community.

Cast & Crew

Director: Lesley Selander

Stars: William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Louise Currie, Jimmy Rogers, Douglas Dumbrille, Kirk Alyn, Herbert Rawlinson, Robert Frazer, Glenn Strange, Hal Taliaferro, Jack Rockwell, Bob Kortman

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Forty Thieves was originally filmed in black and white, with cinematography that captured the classic Western landscapes and the dusty atmosphere of frontier towns. This professionally colorized restoration enhances every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the election sequences to the dramatic confrontations with the hired gunslingers. The colorized version reveals new visual richness in the film’s settings, where the Western town, the surrounding countryside, and the classic Western costumes gain authenticity that transports viewers to the American West of the 1940s imagination. William Boyd’s iconic performance as Hopalong Cassidy gains additional dimension in color, his distinctive character and moral presence becoming even more striking as color highlights the details of his Western attire and the subtle expressions that made him a beloved screen hero. The film’s action sequences, including gunfights and strategic confrontations, become even more dynamic in color, the contrast between the dusty town and the colorful Western attire creating visual interest that enhances the excitement. Now also available in colour.

Buy Forty Thieves in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1944, Forty Thieves represents another installment in the Hopalong Cassidy series, one of the most successful and enduring Western film franchises in Hollywood history. William Boyd’s portrayal of Hopalong Cassidy began in 1935 and would continue through 66 films through 1948, making the character one of the most recognizable Western heroes of all time. This film was particularly significant as the last Hopalong Cassidy film that producer Harry Sherman produced for United Artists, marking the end of an era in the series’ distribution history.

The film was directed by Lesley Selander, who directed numerous Hopalong Cassidy films and became one of the most reliable directors in the B Western genre. The screenplay was written by Michael Wilson and Bernie Kamins, with characters created by Clarence E. Mulford, who originated the Hopalong Cassidy character in his stories. Michael Wilson would later become a prominent screenwriter, known for his work on films like The Bridge on the River Kwai and Planet of the Apes.

The plot involving a rigged election and the hiring of gunslingers to enforce corrupt authority reflects real historical issues in the American West, where political corruption and the use of hired muscle were not uncommon. The film’s themes of honest lawmen facing overwhelming odds resonated with wartime audiences who valued stories of courage and integrity in the face of powerful opposition. The title “Forty Thieves” evokes the classic tale of Ali Baba, suggesting the overwhelming numerical odds that Hoppy must overcome.

The film features Kirk Alyn, who would later become famous as the first actor to play Superman in a live-action film serial, in the role of Jerry Doyle. Glenn Strange, who plays Ike Simmons, would later become known for playing the Frankenstein monster in several Universal horror films. Through modern colorization, this classic Western reaches new audiences who can appreciate its place in the history of American cinema and the enduring appeal of the Hopalong Cassidy character. Now also available en couleur.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: English original mono
• Runtime: 60 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Who stars in Forty Thieves?
A: William Boyd stars as Hopalong Cassidy, with Andy Clyde as Deputy California Carson, Louise Currie as Katherine Reynolds, Jimmy Rogers as Deputy Jimmy Rogers, and Douglas Dumbrille as Tad Hammond.

Q: Is Forty Thieves a Hopalong Cassidy film?
A: Yes, Forty Thieves is part of the Hopalong Cassidy series, the last one produced by Harry Sherman for United Artists.

Q: What is the plot of Forty Thieves?
A: Hopalong Cassidy runs for sheriff but loses to a corrupt candidate, then faces 40 hired gunslingers when he tries to remove the illegitimate sheriff from office.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play on virtually any device.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Devil’s Playground (1946)
• Lumberjack (1944)
• Texas Masquerade (1944)
• The Plainsman (1936)
• False Colors (1943)
• Bar 20 (1943)
• Colt Comrades (1943)