Trouble at Melody Mesa (1949) Director: Wallace Fox Studio: Monogram Pictures Starring: Brad King, Cal Shrum and His Rhythm Rangers, Lorraine Miller, Ralph Peters Release Date: September 5, 1949 Runtime: 57 minutes Format: Black-and-White Country: United States Language: English Genres: Western, Musical Summary: Trouble at Melody Mesa follows rancher Drummond (Brad King), who uncovers a scheme to cheat him and his neighbors out of their land. When a ruthless gang plots to seize control, Drummond fights back with the help of his allies—and the lively musical support of Cal Shrum and His Rhythm Rangers. Mixing cowboy action with toe-tapping tunes, the film blends traditional Western conflicts of justice and greed with lighthearted musical interludes, making it a spirited “singing cowboy” adventure. Background: Released by Monogram Pictures, a studio known for its low-budget but entertaining “B” Westerns, Trouble at Melody Mesa was one of the many postwar films that merged cowboy heroics with popular Western swing music. Director Wallace Fox, who worked extensively in serials and Westerns, helmed the picture with an eye for fast pacing and audience appeal. The film capitalized on the popularity of musical cowboys and bands that brought a lighter touch to frontier storytelling. Trivia: Cal Shrum and His Rhythm Rangers, a Western swing band, were featured prominently, contributing both music and comic relief. Brad King was a familiar face in 1940s Westerns, often cast as upright cowboy heroes. Monogram Pictures specialized in “quickies” like this one, designed for double-feature programming. Wallace Fox also directed several serials and “B” Westerns, including entries in the Range Busters series. Hashtags: #TroubleAtMelodyMesa #SingingCowboy #ClassicWestern #MonogramPictures #BradKing #WallaceFox #WesternSwing