# The Durango Kid: 65 Western Movies Launched in 1940

> A 1940 Western film sparked a franchise with 65 movies by 1952.
- Title: The Durango Kid: 65 Western Movies Launched in 1940 | Shortify
- Summary: A 1940 Western film sparked a franchise with 65 movies by 1952. Lambert Hillyer's 1940 Western 'The Durango Kid' started a franchise with 65 films released…
- Keywords: the durango kid, columbia pictures, charles starrett, b-westerns, western movies, 1940s films, 1950s films, entertainment, culture, Durango, Kid, Western
- Source: SlashFilm — https://slashfilm.com/2287935/forgotten-western-movie-series-the-durango-kid
- Author: Witney Seibold
- Published: 2026-10-20T23:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: the durango kid, columbia pictures, charles starrett, b-westerns, western movies, 1940s films, 1950s films, entertainment, culture
## The Durango Kid's Origin
Lambert Hillyer's 1940 Western film launched a franchise with 65 movies by 1952.
## First Release and Sequels
The film debuted in summer 1940, with seven sequels released in 1945.
## The Durango Kid's Identity
Bill Lowry, played by Charles Starrett, became the Durango Kid after his father was murdered.
## Changing Real Names
The Durango Kid had different real names in each movie, including Steve Buckner and Jeff Waring.
## Charles Starrett's Contract
Starrett signed a five-year contract with Columbia Pictures after initially refusing to be typecast.
## Starrett's Pay and Career
Starrett earned $400 weekly at Columbia, down from $450 at Paramount, but received annual salary bumps.
## Final Release and End
The last Durango Kid movie, 'The Kid from Broken Gun,' was released in 1952, after which Starrett retired.
## Key takeaway

Lambert Hillyer's 1940 Western 'The Durango Kid' started a franchise with 65 films released through 1952.