The Three Mesquiteers Trio Westerns of Republic Pictures

Ralph M. Byrd (1909-1952) did a bunch of mysteries and serials, but is best remembered as DICK TRACY in the several Republic cliffhangers. Bob Livingston had been injured, and Republic needed to complete this film so Byrd was brought in as the replacement. Byrd died of a heart attack in the early 1950s when he was busy filming the half-hour TV version of DICK TRACY.

The 'Stony Brooke' character was not in this film --- Byrd portrayed Tucson Smith's brother Larry Smith.

(From Old Corral collection)

Above, from L-to-R are Corrigan, Terhune, "Buck" (the dog) and Ralph Byrd, who was subbing for the injured Bob Livingston. This is a duotone title card in the lobby card set from the 1950 re-release of THE TRIGGER TRIO. These 2-color cards saved advertising dollars over the multi-colored lobby cards (top of page) that were originally sent to the theaters when the film was initially released.

(From Old Corral collection)

Above from L-to-R are Terhune, Byrd and Corrigan in another 1950 duotone re-issue lobby card.

(Courtesy of Minard Coons)

Above, Mesquiteers Terhune, Corrigan and Byrd in a strategy session from TRIGGER TRIO (1937). The bearded one on the far right (sitting) is Hal Taliaferro who was a frequent supporting and bit player at Republic. His real name was Floyd Taliaferro Alderson, and earlier, he billed himself as Wally Wales while starring in some really low budget silent and early sound western actioneers. Taliaferro/Wales had a unique voice, and once I heard him speak, it was imprinted in my mind. A year later (1938), Taliaferro had a meaty role in THE LONE RANGER serial, portraying one of the five Texas Rangers. The slick dude standing and wearing the vest is Cornelius Keefe.

(From Old Corral collection)

Above - the same photo used in the title lobby cards above showing, from L-to-R, Corrigan, Terhune, "Buck" (the dog) and Ralph Byrd.

Variant 3 - one film
Ray Corrigan (as Tucson Smith) Max Terhune (as Lullaby Joslin) Ralph Byrd (as Larry Smith) (Byrd subbing for the injured Bob Livingston)	THE TRIGGER TRIO (1937)