Tom Tyler as Stony Brooke: The Three Mesquiteers

Soon after Tom Tyler completed his most successful – and best-known role – as Captain Marvel in “Adventures of Captain Marvel” (1941) for Republic Pictures, he joined the famous western film trio known as The Three Mesquiteers, characters that were created by William Colt MacDonald. Also filmed by Republic at the time, Tom made a total of thirteen black and white Three Mesquiteers films, portraying Stony Brooke. Of course, Tom was in two other Three Mesquiteers movies prior to his new tenure but as different characters: Sundown Saunders in “Powdersmoke Range” (RKO; 1935) and as Jackson in “The Night Riders” (Republic; 1939). It is worth noting that Tom's role as Stony Brooke marked a new chapter in his acting career, after completing what is presently considered the greatest film serial ever made.

Tom's new contract with Republic ran for a year, from 1941 to 1942, according to his biography by Mike Chapman, then later extended for one more year, from 1942 to 1943. “Outlaws of Cherokee Trail” (1941) marked Tom's first starring role as Stony Brooke, and with twelve more films made over the next two years, culminated in “Riders of the Rio Grande” (1943), which was also the last Three Mesquiteers film made by Republic. Tom's co-stars in these westerns were Bob Steele (Tucson Smith), Jimmie Dodd and Rufe Davis (Lullaby Joslin). Their adventures were exciting and as a sign of the times – The United States entered World War 2 by the end of 1941 – two Three Mesquiteer films included Nazi references in the plot: “The Phantom Plainsmen” (1942) and “Valley of Hunted Men” (1942).

The rest of these Three Mesquiteers films provided the perfect escapism during that looming period of world history, the kind of entertainment desired at a weekend matinee. Best of all, their adventurous exploits were always injected with a hearty dose of humor, whether it was Lullaby dressed in drag eavesdropping in on an inside conversation that would lead the trio to the killer, or in blackface selling watermelons to help his other jailed pals break free. They even dressed up as Indians to go undercover and succeed in their mission in one story; in another story the Mesquiteers also come upon a miniature horse who was witness to her master's murder, and help track him down, even at the cost of their being accused of the actual murder. Periodically, Lullaby would also play a guitar or sing a song, or both, while the pals were traveling on horseback or spending an evening at home with friends.

According to Showmen's Trade Review, December 26, 1942, The Three Mesquiteers “have done valiant work in maintaining the high standards of the picture” (p.52), and ranked #8 on the western popularity chart according to Motion Picture Herald, December 27, 1941. Naturally that gave Tom Tyler's career a bit of a popularity boost; in 1942, The Three Mesquiteers ranked at #10 (Motion Picture Herald, December 26, 1942), and by 1943, the western trio ranked at #7 (Motion Picture Herald, December 25, 1943).

As Stony Brooke, Tom Tyler cut his usual heroic cowboy figure: physically strong and handsome, rider of the white stallion named Silver (Silver Chief), often ribbing along with pals Tucson Smith and Lullaby Joslin as the script demanded. It only seems natural that Tom Tyler portrayed one of the Three Mesquiteers; as Stony he is the most level-headed of the three, providing

logical solutions to their seemingly endless number of unfortunate situations they got into, or being the best fighter of the three. For example, in “Code of the Outlaw”, Stony is able to buy back the boy Tim's rambunctious horse from Dick Alexander, one of Tom's regular co-stars in films like “Coyote Trails” (1935) and “Mystery Range” (1937), always came up against him in a major fistfight. While Tom Tyler once again had his name in the forefront, sharing top billing with Bob Steele, Rufe Davis and Jimmie Dodd, they all had the right on-screen chemistry required to make the Three Mesquiteer movies as enjoyable as they are.

Following is the list of Three Mesquiteer films where Tom Tyler starred as Stony Brooke:

Outlaws of Cherokee Trail (1941)

Gauchos of El Dorado (1941)

West of Cimarron (1941)

Code of the Outlaw (1942)

Raiders of the Range (1942)

Westward Ho (1942)

The Phantom Plainsmen (1942)

Shadows on the Sage (1942)

Valley of Hunted Men (1942)

Thundering Trails (1943)

The Blocked Trail (1943)

Santa Fe Scouts (1943)

Riders of the Rio Grande (1943)