Trigger Fingers (1946) | Directed by Lambert Hillyer

Trigger Fingers is a low-budget western from the mid-1940s that delivers a familiar tale of lawmen, outlaws, and the fight for justice in the rugged frontier. The film follows U.S. Marshals who go undercover to dismantle a gang of outlaws terrorizing a small town, blending traditional western themes of loyalty, bravery, and quick-draw gunfights.

Genre: Western

Director: Lambert Hillyer

Lambert Hillyer was an American director and screenwriter whose career spanned from the silent era into the 1950s. He directed over 160 films and numerous television episodes, often specializing in westerns and action pictures. Hillyer also directed the cult horror classic Dracula's Daughter (1936) and was known for his efficient, no-nonsense approach to filmmaking, particularly on B-movie westerns.

Star Cast:

Johnny Mack Brown as U.S. Marshal Johnny Mack Brown
Raymond Hatton as U.S. Marshal Banty
Jennifer Holt as Janet Hammond
Riley Hill as Steve Hammond
John Merton as Sheriff Ed Newman
Steve Clark as Tom Lambert
Ed Cassidy as Judge Hammond
Roy Butler as Jed Hammond

Trigger Fingers was one of many Johnny Mack Brown westerns of the 1940s, appealing mainly to fans of Saturday matinee oaters. It offered dependable entertainment with straightforward storytelling and action, though it was not a standout in critical circles. The film fit neatly into the formulaic but popular western B-pictures that kept audiences engaged week after week.

Fun Facts:

Johnny Mack Brown, a former college football star, became a popular western hero in dozens of low-budget productions during the 1930s and 1940s.

Raymond Hatton, Brown’s frequent sidekick, had a long Hollywood career dating back to the silent era and appeared in over 400 films.

Like many westerns of the time, the movie was shot quickly on modest budgets, often reusing sets and costumes from other productions.

The film was distributed by Monogram Pictures, a studio well known for churning out reliable B-movies across various genres.