 (From Old Corral collection) Above is the title lobby card for the first Texas Rangers film, THE RANGERS TAKE OVER (PRC, 1942). In the center image, prolific baddie Charlie King is mixing it up with Dave O'Brien. O'Brien is shown on the left and on the right is singing cowboy James Newill, who had earlier starred in the Renfrew of the Royal Mounted adventures. Newill appeared in the first fourteen films in the Texas Rangers series.  (From Old Corral collection) Above from left to right are Dave O'Brien, Guy Wilkerson and Jim Newill in another lobby card from THE RANGERS TAKE OVER (PRC, 1942).  (From Old Corral collection) Above from L-to-R are the original members of PRC's Texas Rangers series - Dave 'Tex' O'Brien (on King), Jim Newill (on Alamo) and Guy Wilkerson.  (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above is a blurb on Dave O'Brien's hoss 'King' from the BOSS OF RAWHIDE (PRC, 1943) pressbook. Does Newill's hoss look familiar? A bunch of PRC heroes rode that horse, including Buster Crabbe, Lash LaRue and Eddie Dean.  (From Old Corral collection) Above from left to right are the final members of PRC's Texas Rangers' trio: Dave O'Brien, Tex Ritter and Guy Wilkerson. Ritter replaced Jim Newill in the last 8 films of the series. The above scene occurs in the opening minutes of FRONTIER FUGITIVES (PRC, 1945).  (Courtesy of John F. White) Above right is Dan White mixing it up with the masked Dave O'Brien in a lobby card from TRAIL OF TERROR (PRC, 1943), one of the Texas Rangers series. In this film, O'Brien plays his lawman self as well as his evil twin brother. |
James Newill and Dave O'Brien - Western song writers Les Adams came up with an interesting tidbit on Newill and Dave O'Brien. They were credited (sometimes collectively as 'Tex Coe') with a lot of the songs in the Texas Rangers films. Many others also wrote tunes for the series, including Cal Shrum and Oliver Drake. Below are a list of songs by O'Brien and Newill: | |
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From BAD MEN OF THUNDER GAP (as Tex Coe): Medicine Man The Moon is Yellow West Winds From BORDER BUCKAROOS: Stay on the Right Trail You're Here to Stay Driftin' From BOSS OF RAWHIDE: High in the Saddle From GUNS OF THE LAW: Ranger A'Riding From RANGERS TAKE OVER (as Tex Coe): Campfire on the Prairie The Rangers Take Over High in the Saddle |
From RETURN OF THE RANGERS: Heading Westward Paradise Trail From SPOOK TOWN: Sleepy Hollow El Lobo From TRAIL OF TERROR: Sleepy Hollow Jog Along Along the Rio Grande From WEST OF TEXAS: Tired of Ramblin' Whistle a Song Como Esta |
 (From Old Corral collection) Above - O'Brien signs the contract with Pete Smith for starring in - as well as writing/directing - the Pete Smith comedy shorts at MGM. He used the name 'David Barclay' for the writing credits and 'Dave O'Brien' for his screen appearance credits in the Pete Smith shorts. |  (Courtesy of Minard Coons) Above - O'Brien as Captain Midnight. |
