Back Trail (1948): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1948, Back Trail is a western film directed by Christy Cabanne, running about 57 minutes. “.45 COLT COMBAT! Against ruthless payroll bandits!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Back Trail is one of the livelier entries in Monogram's Johnny Mack Brown western series. Brown rides into a small town where he becomes embroiled in a blackmail scheme. The town's banker (Ted Adams), a pillar of respectability, once served a jail term. Outlaw leader Pierce Lyden threatens to reveal Adams' secret if the banker doesn't let him know in advance when the gold shipments are going through. Adams tearfully tells Brown the whole story, whereupon Johnny rides shotgun on the next shipment himself. Back Trail was one of the last films directed by workhorse Christy Cabanne, whose career stretched all the way back to the D.W. Griffith days.

Who’s in it. Back Trail stars Johnny Mack Brown as Johnny Mack, Raymond Hatton as Cahoose, Mildred Coles as Helen Frazer and Marshall Reed as Henchman Lacey, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Back Trail page.

If you liked it. Fans of Back Trail tend to enjoy The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Django Unchained, Once Upon a Time in the West and For a Few Dollars More.