Mesquite Buckaroo (1939)

Director: Harry S. Webb
Writer: George H. Plympton
Producer: Harry S. Webb
Cinematographer: Edward A. Kull
Sound: Hans Weeren
Editor: Fred Bain
Assistant Director: Eddie Saeta
Music: Frank Sanucci
Stunts: Chick Hannan, Fox O'Callahan, Matty Roubert (possibly also Tex Palmer)






Cast

Bob Steele as Bob Allen
Carolyn Curtis as Betty Bond
Frank LaRue as Jim Bond
Juanita Fletcher as Aunt Sarah Allen
Charles King as Trigger Carson
Carleton Young as Sands (Credited as Gordon Roberts)
Ted Adams as Luke Williams
Jimmy Aubrey as Mort (Ranch Hand) (Credited as James Whitehead)
Ed Brady as Hank (Credited as Edward Brady)
Bruce Dane as Cookie, Singing Cowhand
'Snub' Pollard as Janitor Suds
John Elliott as Tavern Owner Hawk

Jack Cooper as Rodeo Performer (uncredited)
Junior Eskew as Trick Roper (uncredited)
Al Evans as Rodeo Performer (uncredited)
Martin Faust as Cowhand (uncredited)
Ken Fletcher as Rodeo Performer (uncredited)
Dick Griffith as Trick Rider (uncredited)
Chick Hannan as Henchman / Rodeo Performer (uncredited)
Joe Horn as Rodeo Performer (uncredited)
Abe Lefton as Rodeo Announcer (uncredited)
Mel Morris as Rodeo Performer (uncredited)
Fox O'Callahan as Rodeo Performer (uncredited)
Homer Oakland as Rodeo Clown (uncredited)
Tex Palmer as Rodeo Spectator (uncredited)
Gene Ross as Rodeo Performer (uncredited)
Matty Roubert as Cowhand (uncredited)
Joe Ryan as Rodeo Performer (uncredited)
Texas Slim as Rodeo Performer (uncredited)
Paul St. Croix as Trick Roper (uncredited)
Tom Sutton as Rodeo Judge (uncredited)
George Wells as Rodeo Performer (uncredited)


Plot

A rodeo rider is kidnapped by a Chicago gunman after refusing to throw a competition.

Review

Mesquite Buckaroo is less than an hour long. About 15mins of the running time is made up of stock footage of rodeo performers. The acting for the rest of the film is very bad. There are some of the usual actors who do their best with a poor plot and script, such as Charles King; the ever reliable villain. There is also John Elliott who is actually a very good actor, but does not have the chance to show any of his acting skills in this movie. Mesquite Buckaroo was thrown together to fill a gap and is one of the worst Western films I've ever seen. Bad plot, bad script, poor direction and poor quality of production.

Interesting Additional Information

Carolyn Curtis is only known to have been in this film. She is the leading lady of the film, but is given little to do except moan about the hero until the very end. There are lots of shots of Curtis and her screen dad, Frank LaRue, watching the rodeo performers near the end, to the point where you want to scream at the screen and say 'do something more interesting'. Not their fault, I know.








Title Screens

Angel and the Badman (1947)

Director: James Edward Grant
Writer: James Edward Grant
Producer: John Wayne
Cinemtographer: Archie Stout
Editor: Harry Keller
Sound: Victor B. Appel
Assistant Director: Harvey Dwight
Second Unit Director: Yakima Canutt
Music: Richard Hageman

Stunts: Richard Farnsworth, Fred Graham (John Wayne's stunt double), John Hudkins, Ben Johnson, Chuck Roberson, Jack Stoney, Ken Terrell, Henry Wills


Cast

John Wayne as Quirt Evans
Gail Russell as Penelope Worth
Harry Carey as Marshal Wistful McClintock
Bruce Cabot as Laredo Stevens
Irene Rich as Mrs. Worth
Lee Dixon as Randy McCall
Stephen Grant as Johnny Worth
Tom Powers as Dr. Mangram
Paul Hurst as Frederick Carson
Olin Howland as Bradley (Credited as Olin Howlin)
John Halloran as Thomas Worth
Joan Barton as Lila Neal
Craig Woods as Ward Withers
Marshall Reed as Nelson

Doc Adams as Quaker (uncredited)
John Barton as Gambler (uncredited)
Rosemary Bertrand as Christine Taylor (uncredited)
Symona Boniface as Dance Hall Madam (uncredited)
John Breen as Gambler (uncredited)
Bob Burns as Quaker Meeting Member (uncredited)
Wade Crosby as Baker Brother (uncredited)
Steve Darrell as Gambler (uncredited)
Kenne Duncan as Gambler (uncredited)
Geraldine Farnum as Saloon Girl (uncredited)
Louis Faust as Henchman (uncredited)
Unknown as Hondo Jeffries (uncredited)
Paul Fix as Mouse Marr (uncredited)
Pat Flaherty as Baker Brother (uncredited)
Lew Harvey as Gambler (uncredited)
Jack Kirk as Carson Ranch Hand (uncredited)
Rex Lease as Roulette Croupier (uncredited)
Cactus Mack as Quaker (uncredited)
LeRoy Mason as Lefty Wilson (uncredited)
Jack Montgomery as Carson Ranch Hand (uncredited)
Bert Moorhouse as Gambler (uncredited)
Al Murphy as Bartender (uncredited)
William Newell as Headwaiter (uncredited)
Jack O'Shea as Barfly (uncredited)
Eddie Parker as Baker Brother (uncredited)
Joe Phillips as Barfly (uncredited)
Stanley Price as Gambler (uncredited)
Edwin Rochelle as Bartender (uncredited)
John Shay as Gambler (uncredited)
Cap Somers as Bartender (uncredited)
Jack Stoney as Baker Brother (uncredited)
Ken Terrell as Brawl Spectator (uncredited)
Tony Travers as Hernan (uncredited)
Crane Whitley as Townsman (uncredited)
Norman Willis as Gambler (uncredited)
Hank Worden as Townsman (uncredited)

Plot

A very bad man, is nursed back to health by a Quaker girl. He falls in love and has to choose between his world and the world his new love lives in.

Review

A good idea for a film, if overdone. The film blends action with scenes of comedy as a bad guy mixes with a peaceful group of God-fearing people. John Wayne is his usual best, but the script could have done with a bit more, especially from the slightly unbelievable Quakers.

Additional Interesting Information

Although it is widely listed as being so, Louis Faust apparently doesn't play Hondo Jeffries. Faust plays an unnamed character. This information comes from the son of Louis Faust, Joe Faust, who wrote to the Forgotten Actors blog.

Louis Faust is on the right, in the black hat, behind Bruce Cabot. The 'Hondo' character is on the left of the picture.







Richard Farnsworth was a stuntman on this film. In 2000 he was nominated for an Oscar for 'Best Actor in a Leading Role' for the film 'Straight Story (1999)'.

Shooting Locations

Monument Valley in Arizona had been a favourite shooting location of John Ford for many years before the making of this film and now John Wayne continues to use it for these iconic shots at the beginning of the film.









Title Screens

Nice to see the main titles appear over some fairly generic action of a man who is being chased by a posse. This sets up the first scene of the movie.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

Director: John Huston
Writer: John Huston (Screenplay), B. Traven (Story)
Producer: Henry Blanke
Cinematographer: Ted D. McCord
Editor: Owen Marks
Sound: Robert B. Lee, Rafael Ruiz Esparza, Edward Ullman
Assistant Director: Richard Maybery, John Prettyman
Music: Max Steiner
Art Direction: John Hughes
Special Effects: Hans F. Koenekamp, William C. McGann, Eddie Craven
Stunts: Harvey Parry, David Sharpe (Tim Holt's stunt double)

Production Company: Warner Bros.
General Release Date: 24 January 1948


Cast

Humphrey Bogart as Fred C. Dobbs
Walter Huston as Howard
Tim Holt as Curtin
Bruce Bennett as Cody
Barton MacLane as Pat McCormick (Credited as Barton Mac Lane)
Alfonso Bedoya as Gold Hat
Arturo Soto Rangel as Presidente (Credited as A. Soto Rangel)
Manuel Dondé as El Jefe (Credited as Manuel Donde)
José Torvay as Pablo (Credited as Jose Torvay)
Margarito Luna as Pancho

Robert Blake as Mexican Boy Selling Lottery Tickets (uncredited)
Guillermo Calles as Mexican Storeowner (uncredited)
Roberto Cañedo as Mexican Lieutenant (uncredited)
Spencer Chan as Proprietor (uncredited)
Jacqueline Dalya as Flashy Girl (uncredited)
Ralph Dunn as Flophouse Bum (uncredited)
Ernesto Escoto as Mexican Bandit (uncredited)
Pat Flaherty as Customer in Bar Who Warns Curtin and Dobbs about Pat McCormick (uncredited)
Martin Garralaga as Railroad Conductor (uncredited)
Jack Holt as Flophouse Bum (uncredited)
John Huston as American in Tampico in White Suit (uncredited)
Francisco Islas as Indian (uncredited)
Mario Mancilla as Child (uncredited)
Julian Rivero as Barber (uncredited)
Ángela Rodríguez as Howard's pretty assistant (uncredited)
Jay Silverheels as Indian Guide at Pier (uncredited)
Ray Spiker as Workman at Pier (uncredited)
Valdespino as Indian (uncredited)
Ildefonso Vega as Indian (uncredited)
Harry J. Vejar as Bartender (uncredited)
Ignacio Villalbazo as Mexican Bandit (uncredited)
Clifton Young as Flophouse Bum (uncredited)

Plot

Two desperate Americans searching for work in a Mexican town hook up with an old prospector and start to mine for gold in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Review

Humphrey Bogart is an incredibly versatile performer, giving us the full paranoid, desperate man with a huge chip on his shoulder. Walter Huston is also in fine form. For me, the story seems to drift a little about half way through and the whole film could have been much better paced and made a bit shorter. But you can't argue with 3 Academy Awards.

Interesting Additional Information

Humphrey Bogart wore a wig throughout the entire film.

Walter Huston didn't wear his false teeth throughout the entire film.

Cost £3 million dollars to make.


Title Screens

End Titles

Hannah Lee: An American Primitive (1953)

Director: Lee Garmes, John Ireland
Writer: MacKinlay Kantor (Screenplay), Alford Van Ronkel (Story?)
Producer: Jack Broder, Lee Garmes
Co-Producer: John Ireland
Cinematographer: Lee Garmes
Editor: Edward Sampson, Chester W. Schaeffer
Sound: James Masterson (Recordist), Earl Snyder (Engineer)
Assistant Director: Ben Chapman
2nd Assistant Director: Gordon McLean
Music: Paul Dunlap
Art Direction: A. Leslie Thomas
Special Effects: Jack Rabin, Ben Southland
Stunts: Chuck Roberson (Macdonald Carey's stunt double)

Production Company: Jack Broder Productions Inc.
General Release Date: 27 June 1953



Cast

Macdonald Carey as Bus Crow
Joanne Dru as Hannah Lee (Hallie McLaird)
John Ireland as Marshal Sam Rochelle
Tom Powers as Sheriff
Ralph Dumke as Alesworth
Stuart Randall as Jeff Montgomery
Frank Ferguson as John Britton
Don Haggerty as Bill Crashaw
Peter Ireland as Willie Stiver
Tristram Coffin as Paulson, Bartender
Alex Pope as Gare Stiver
Kay Riehl as Mrs. Bainbridge
Ruth Whitney as Mrs. Stiver
Dean Cromer as Charlie Bevan

Alan Frazier as Bart, Hotel Desk Clerk
Harold J. Kennedy as Bainbridge
James Bell as Man at Carousel in Prologue (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks as Man Dancing with Hallie (uncredited)
King Donovan as Sheriff's Deputy (uncredited)
Dick Fortune as 2nd Cowboy (uncredited)
Alex Frazer as Old Man (uncredited)
Frank Hagney as Fred (uncredited)
Bill Hale as 1st Cowboy (uncredited)
Charles Keane as 2nd Loafer (uncredited)
Paul Keast as 1st Villager (uncredited)
Donald Kerr as Blackjack Dealer (uncredited)
Norman Leavitt as Miller (uncredited)
Anne Loos as Sheriff's Wife (uncredited)
Joe McGuinn as 3rd Villager (uncredited)
Mort Mills as Doctor (uncredited)
Robin Morse as 2nd Villager (uncredited)
'Snub' Pollard as Man Pacing in Jail Cell (uncredited)
Maudie Prickett as Mrs. Miller (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson as Cowboy (uncredited)
Helen Servis as Woman (uncredited)
Ferris Taylor as Stationmaster (uncredited)
Crane Whitley as Barfly (uncredited)


Plot

A professional killer rides into town and is hired by three cattlemen to remove squatters by force. A marshal is sent to investigate and the saloon owner becomes a reluctant witness.

Review

Watched a very blurry 2D version on YouTube. A reasonable storyline was played fairly well by a good cast, with Macdonald Carey standing out as the bad guy. There is not much focus on the Hannah Lee of the title and 'An American Primitive' might make more sense in the original story than it did on screen. A watchable fare, but nothing too spectacular.

Interesting Additional Information

Made in 3-D. This was a technique that was used quite a lot in Sci-fi films in the 1950s, but rarely in Westerns. There is a trailer with the stars talking about 3-D.

The song 'Hannah Lee' is sung at various stages in the film, sometimes to comic effect. The song was written by Stan Jones who sings it in the film with William Loe and Dick Cherney. The original recorded version by Ken Curtis and The Pioneers is also in the soundtrack. The words to the song suggest that Hannah Lee is hanged for murder, which does not happen in the film.

Stan Jones also wrote the song '(Ghost) Riders in the Sky'.

Stan Jones on guitar, with William Loe and Dick Cherney.








Title Screens

The version on YouTube was a bit dodgy so this title screen came out in black and white, but the film is in colour.

Abilene Town (1946)

Director: Edwin L. Marin
Writer: Ernest Haycox (Story), Harold Shumate (Screenplay)
Producer: Jules Levey
Cinematographer: Archie Stout
Editor: Richard V. Heermance
Art Direction: Duncan Cramer

Costumes: Peter Tuesday
Make-Up: James R. Barker
Assistant Director: Maurie M. Suess
Sound Recordist: Ben Winkler
Music: Gerard Carbonara, Albert Glasser, Charles Koff, James Mayfield, Max Terr
Stunts: Buddy Roosevelt, Calvin Spencer

Production Company: Guild Productions Inc., Jules Levey Presents
General Release Date:11 January 1946 (USA)





Cast

Randolph Scott as Dan Mitchell
Ann Dvorak as Rita
Edgar Buchanan as Sheriff 'Bravo' Trimble
Rhonda Fleming as Sherry Balder
Lloyd Bridges as Henry Dreiser
Helen Boyce as Big Annie
Howard Freeman as Ed Balder
Richard Hale as Charlie Fair
Jack Lambert as Jet Younger
Dick Curtis as 'Cap' Ryker
Earl Schenck as George Hazelhurst
Eddy Waller as Hannaberry
Hank Patterson as Doug Neil

Walter Baldwin as Train Conductor (uncredited)
Polly Bond as Town Girl #1 (uncredited)
Paul Brinegar as Gambler (uncredited)
Victor Cox as Barfly (uncredited)
Tex Driscoll as Townsman (uncredited)
Dick Elliott as Jailbreak Messenger (uncredited)
Morgan Flowers as Homesteader (uncredited)
Chick Hannan as Cowhand (uncredited)
Robert Milasch as Barfly (uncredited)
Bob Perry as Bartender (uncredited)
Bob Reeves as Cowhand (uncredited)
Buddy Roosevelt as Slim - a Cowhand (uncredited)
Maryellen Sennett as Town Girl #2 (uncredited)
Harry Tenbrook as First Wagon Driver Caught in Stampede (uncredited)
Guy Wilkerson as Fan-Tan Player with 'Bravo' Trimble (uncredited)

Plot

A sheriff tries to stop range fights between settlers and cattlemen in Kansas after the Civil War.

Review

Not Seen.

Interesting Additional Information

Stagecoach (1939)

Director: John Ford
Writer: Ernest Haycox (Story), Dudley Nichols (Screenplay)
Producer: John Ford
Cinematographer: Bert Glennon
Editor: Otho Lovering, Dorothy Spencer, Walter Reynolds
Art Direction: Alexander Toluboff
Costumes: Walter Plunkett
Make-Up: Norbert A. Myles
Assistant Director: Wingate Smith
Second Unit Director: Yakima Canutt
Sound Recordist: Frank Maher
Sound Effects Editor: Robert Parrish
Music: Gerard Carbonara
Stunts: Frank Baker, Yakima Canutt (stunt coordinator), Iron Eyes Cody, Ken Cooper, Johnny Eckert, Helen Gibson, W. Frank Long, Jack Mohr, Artie Ortego, Buddy Roosevelt, David Sharpe, Henry Wills, Billy Yellow (stunt rigger).

Production Company: Walter Wanger Productions, Inc.
Production Dates: Early Nov 1938 to 7 Jan 1939
Production Costs: $392,000 (Budget); over $500,000 (Actual) 
General Release Date: 3 March 1939

Cast

Claire Trevor as Dallas
John Wayne as Ringo Kid
Andy Devine as Buck
John Carradine as Hatfield
Thomas Mitchell as Doc Josiah Boone
Louise Platt as Mrs. Lucy Mallory
George Bancroft as Marshal Curley Wilcox
Donald Meek as Samuel Peacock
Berton Churchill as Ellsworth Henry Gatewood
Tim Holt as Lt. Blanchard
Tom Tyler as Luke Plummer

Dorothy Appleby as Girl in Saloon (uncredited)
Frank Baker (uncredited)
Chief John Big Tree as Indian Scout (uncredited)
Ted Billings (uncredited)
Wiggie Blowne (uncredited)
Danny Borzage (uncredited)
Ed Brady as Lordsburg Saloon Owner (uncredited)
Fritzi Brunette (uncredited)
Yakima Canutt as Cavalry Scout/Indian Attacking Stagecoach (uncredited)
Nora Cecil as Boone's Landlady (uncredited)
Steve Clemente as Man who alerts the Plummer brothers (uncredited)
Bill Cody as Rancher (uncredited)
Jack Curtis as Lordsburg Saloon Bartender (uncredited)
Marga Ann Deighton as Mrs. Pickett (uncredited)
Patricia Doyle (uncredited)
Tex Driscoll (uncredited)
Johnny Eckert (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum as Deputy Frank (uncredited)
Francis Ford as Sgt. Billy Pickett (uncredited)
Brenda Fowler as Mrs. Gatewood (uncredited)
Olin Francis as Lordsburg Townsman (uncredited)
Helen Gibson as Girl in Saloon (uncredited)
Don Hawks (uncredited)
Robert Homans as Ed - Editor (uncredited)
William Hopper as Sergeant (uncredited)
Si Jenks as Bartender (uncredited)
Cornelius Keefe as Capt. Whitney (uncredited)
Florence Lake as Mrs. Nancy Whitney (uncredited)
Al Lee (uncredited)
Duke R. Lee as Lordsburg Sheriff (uncredited)
Theodore Lorch as Lordsburg Express Agent (uncredited)
Chris-Pin Martin as Chris (uncredited)
Jim Mason as Jim - Tonto Express Agent (uncredited)
Louis Mason as Tonto Sheriff (uncredited)
Merrill McCormick as Townsman Ogling at Dallas (uncredited)
J. P. McGowan (uncredited)
Walter McGrail as Capt. Sickel (uncredited)
Paul McVey as Pony Express Agent (uncredited)
Jack Mohr (uncredited)
Kent Odell as Billy Pickett Jr. (uncredited)
Artie Ortego as Lordsburg Bar Patron (uncredited)
Vester Pegg as Hank Plummer (uncredited)
Jack Pennick as Jerry - Tonto Bartender (uncredited)
Chris Phillips (uncredited)
Joe Rickson as Ike Plummer (uncredited)
Buddy Roosevelt as Rancher (uncredited)
Elvira Rios as Yakima (uncredited)
Mickey Simpson (uncredited)
Margaret Smith (uncredited)
Chuck Stubbs (uncredited)
Harry Tenbrook as Telegraph Operator (uncredited)
Leonard Trainor as Townsman (uncredited)
Mary Kathleen Walker as Lucy's Baby (uncredited)
Bryant Washburn as Capt. Simmons (uncredited)
Whitehorse as Indian Chief (uncredited)
Hank Worden as Cavalryman (uncredited)


The Plot

A group of disparate companions all have different reasons to take a journey across the plains and mountains of Arizona in a stagecoach pulled by six horses with the constant threat of being attacked by Geronimo and the Apache Indians. On the journey they discover a little bit more about each other and themselves and their lives may never be the same again.

Review [*Spoilers*]

Stagecoach is a quality movie with a quality script and quality performances from its stars. And what stars they are. An ensemble cast of fine actors who all bring something unique to the table.

The film rolls along at a fair pace rather like the movement of the stagecoach in the title. With the mainly unseen threat of an impending attack from Geronimo and the Apache Indians, the film builds up an atmsophere of tension which spills out through the interaction between the very different characters. Although there are scenes of action, it is more of a character-driven experience for the viewer, with secrets and lies playing a central role in the film.

There is very much a sense of class distinction, of the wealthy and the poor, forced together in a confined space for the duration of the journey. There are also the good and the bad characters, which are not easily defined. The characters are all here: the officer's wife who is about to give birth while not knowing if she is a widow or not, the prostitute forced out of town, similarly the drunken doctor who is also shunned by the town, he himself calling it 'social prejudice'. Then there is the banker who has absconded with a payroll, a Southern gambler and former Confederate soldier, and finally a meek whiskey salesman, persuaded to continue the journey by the drunken doctor who is only interested in his 'samples'. The driver is a put upon husband and then there is the marshal who is hunting an escaped convict, The Ringo Kid.

The part of The Ringo Kid is played by John Wayne who was not the first choice for the role. It was John Ford himself who petitioned for Wayne to play the part after several other top actors turned it down or were not suitable. The Ringo Kid joins the ride early on and has his mind set on revenge, which makes up the conclusion of the film.

The film is an easy watch. I didn't want to stop watching at any time, which is often what I want to do with many modern films.

Interesting Additional Information

Two of the best stunts in the film are performed by Yakima Canutt, who was also given the stunt coordinator job. They both involve the six horses pulling the stagecoach and could have easily gone terribly wrong had it not been for the professionalism of Canutt.

Abilene Trail (1951)

Director: Lewis D. Collins
Writer: Harry L. Fraser (Screenplay)
Producer: Vincent M. Fennelly
Cinemtographer: Gilbert Warrenton
Art Direction: Dave Milton
Music: Edward J. Kay
Stunts: Jack Hendricks (Stunt Coordinator), George DeNormand, Carl Mathews, Wally West

Production Company: Transwestern Pictures
General Release Date: 4 February 1951 (USA)

Cast

Whip Wilson as Dave Hill aka The Kansas Kid
Andy Clyde as Sagebrush Charlie
Tommy Farrell as Ed Dawson
Steve Clark as Old Man Dawson
Noel Neill as Mary Dawson
Dennis Moore as Brandon
Marshall Reed as Jack Slavens
Lee Roberts as Red
Milburn Morante as Cowhand Chuck
Ted Adams as Town Sheriff
Bill Kennedy as Rancher Colter
Stanley Price as Sheriff Warner
Lyle Talbot as Dr. Martin

Al Haskell as Jailed Cowhand (uncredited)
Jack Low as Jailed Cowhand (uncredited)
Clarke Stevens as Deputy (uncredited)


Plot

Two suspected horse thieves come to the aid of a young rancher who is having trouble driving his herd to market.

Review

Not Seen.

Interesting Additional Information

The Sheepman (1958)

Director: George Marshall
Writer: James Edward Grant (Story), William Roberts (Adaptation) William Bowers, James Edward Grant (Screenplay)
Producer: Edmund Grainger
Cinematographer: Robert J. Bronner
Editor: Ralph E. Winters - Colour Consultant: Charles K. Hagedon
Art Direction: Malcolm Brown, William A. Horning
Set Decoration: Henry Grace, Hugh Hunt
Costumes: Walter Plunkett
Make-Up: Sydney Guilaroff (Hair Stylist), William Tuttle (Make-up Artist)
Assistant Director: Al Jennings
Sound Recordist: Wesley C. Miller (Recording Supervisior)
Music: Jeff Alexander
Stunts: George Bruggeman, Ralph Bucko, Bill Clark, Gene Coogan, Martha Crawford (Shirley MacLaine's Stunt Double), Bill Hale, Robert 'Buzz' Henry, Kermit Maynard, Frank Mills, Bob Reeves, Clint Sharp, Cap Somers, Ray Spiker, Harry Wilson

Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
General Release Date: 1 May 1958 (UK), 7 May 1958 (USA)


Cast

Glenn Ford as Jason Sweet
Shirley MacLaine as Dell Payton
Leslie Nielsen as Col. Stephen Bedford
Mickey Shaughnessy as Jumbo McCall
Edgar Buchanan as Milt Masters
Willis Bouchey as Frank Payton
Pernell Roberts as Chocktaw Neal
Slim Pickens as Marshal
Robert 'Buzz' Henry as Red (Credited as Buzz Henry)
Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez as Angelo

Richard Alexander as Barfly (uncredited)
Leon Alton as Party Guest (uncredited)
Roscoe Ates as Town Loafer (uncredited)
Emile Avery as Party Guest (uncredited)
Walter Bacon as Townsman (uncredited)
Sam Bagley as Townsman (uncredited)
Irene Barton as Mme. Fifi (uncredited)
Danny Borzage as Accordionist (uncredited)
John Bose as Townsman (uncredited)
George Boyce as Party Guest (uncredited)
Lane Bradford as Ranch Hand (uncredited)
Chet Brandenburg as Townsman (uncredited)
George Bruggeman as Ranch Hand (uncredited)
Brandy Bryan as Miss Rafferty (uncredited)
Ralph Bucko as Townsman (uncredited)
Lorraine Carol as Amy Masterson (uncredited)
Edith Clair as Party Guest (uncredited)
Bill Clark as Ranch Hand (uncredited)
G. Pat Collins as Elmer - Engineer (uncredited)
Gene Coogan as Rancher (uncredited)
Russell Custer as Townsman (uncredited)
Roy Damron as Party Guest (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum as Town Loafer (uncredited)
Lee Tung Foo as Willie, Proprietor of Restaurant (uncredited)
Joel Friend as Party Guest (uncredited)
Kenneth Gibson as Party Guest (uncredited)
James Gonzalez as Party Guest (uncredited)
Tom Greenway as Rancher (uncredited)
Kit Guard as Town Loafer (uncredited)
Signe Hack as Party Guest (uncredited)
Bill Hale as Ranch Hand (uncredited)
Harry Harvey as General Store Proprietor (uncredited)
Les Hellman as Ranch Hand (uncredited)
Percy Helton as Station Master (uncredited)
Tex Holden as Townsman (uncredited)
Jimmie Horan as Party Guest (uncredited)
Wes Hudman as Curly (uncredited)
Harvey Karels as Party Guest (uncredited)
Dave Kashner as Townsman (uncredited)
Tom Kennedy as Townsman (uncredited)
Norman Leavitt as Town Loafer (uncredited)
Forrest Lewis as Mr. Baker - Tack Shop Proprietor (uncredited)
Tom London as Townsman (uncredited)
Frank Marlowe as Barney - Townsman (uncredited)
Kermit Maynard as Townsman (uncredited)
Frank Mills as Townsman (uncredited)
Burt Mustin as Man on Stairs (uncredited)
William Newell as Bartender (uncredited)
Jack Perry as Townsman (uncredited)
Jose Portugal as Party Guest (uncredited)
Ray Pourchot as Townsman (uncredited)
Paul Ravel as Party Guest (uncredited)
Bob Reeves as Townsman (uncredited)
Mitchell Rhein as Rancher (uncredited)
Dick Rich as Loudmouth Man at Bar (uncredited)
Robert Robinson as Townsman (uncredited)
John Roy as Townsman (uncredited)
Jerry Schumacher as Bartender (uncredited)
Bernard Sell as Party Guest (uncredited)
Lucile Sewall as Party Guest (uncredited)
Clint Sharp as Stableman (uncredited)
Cap Somers as Townsman (uncredited)
Walter Soo Hoo as Waiter (uncredited)
Ray Spiker as Townsman (uncredited)
Jack Stoney as Townsman (uncredited)
Peggy Taylor as Laura Witkum (uncredited)
Dan White as Rancher (uncredited)
Harry Wilson as Town Loafer (uncredited)
Harry Woods as Cattle Rancher in Restaurant (uncredited)

Plot

A man (Glenn Ford) moves into a town where he intends to graze his sheep on common land, much to the dislike of the cattle-farming townsfolk and their leader Col. Stephen Bedford (Leslie Nielsen).

Review

An interesting take on the 'new man in town' storyline with some great additions to the plot. A good mix of light-hearted play with serious undertones and some great central performances, particularly from Glenn Ford, Leslie Nielsen and Edgar Buchanan.

Interesting Additional Information

Nice to see so many actors from the 1930s still appearing in big budget films in the late 1950s, like this one. Here is Roscoe Ates, without stutter, and Franklyn Farnum, who himself was a veteran of over 600 films, not to mention his TV appearances.





Title Screens

The Law Rides (1936)

Director: Robert N. Bradbury
Writer: Forbes Parkhill (Story), Al Martin (Screenplay)
Producer: A.W. Hackel
Cinematographer: Bert Longenecker
Editor: Dan Milner
Assistant Director: Ed Tyler
Sound Recordist: Corson Jowett
Music: Lee Zahler
Stunts: Art Dillard, Jack Hendricks, Ted Mapes

Production Company: Supreme Pictures
General Release Date: 25 June 1936 (USA)


Cast

Bob Steele as Bruce Conway
Harley Wood as Arline Lewis
Buck Connors as Whitey (Credited as Buck Conners)
Charles King as Hank Davis (Credited as Charlie King)
Margaret Mann as Mrs. Lewis
Jack Rockwell as Sheriff Anderson
Norman Nielsen as Jack Lewis - Prospector
Barney Furey as Pete - Henchman

George Ball as Lyncher (uncredited)
Budd Buster as Tex - Lyncher (uncredited)
Ed Carey as Ed - Ranch Hand (uncredited)
Art Dillard as Henchman (uncredited)
Jack Hendricks as Jack - Lyncher (uncredited)
Ted Mapes as Ed - Henchman (uncredited)
Dick Morehead as Deputy (uncredited)
George Morrell as Lynch Mob Member (uncredited)
Horace Murphy as County Recorder (uncredited)
Tex Palmer as Henchman (uncredited)
Blackie Whiteford as Henchman (uncredited)


Plot

A prospector finds gold but is killed before he returns to register the claim. The culprit is caught and is about to be hanged by a lynch mob. He is the only one who knows where the gold is and must be saved by the very man who caught him.

Review

A standard fare even for a low-budget B-Western. Nothing spectacular in the plot, the script is laboured and the acting only satisfactory. As usual Charles King is much better than this film as the villain.

Interesting Additional Information

Another starring role for Bob Steele whose father, Robert N. Bradbury, directed the film.

 

Harley Wood also acted under the name Jill Martin. Later in life she became, amongst other things, a songwriter, calling herself Jill Jackson Miller, co-writing songs with her husband Sy Miller. She wrote the lyrics to their most famous song 'Let There Be Peace On Earth'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Across the Wide Missouri (1951)

Director: William A. Wellman
Writer: Talbot Jennings, Frank Cavett (Story) Talbot Jennings (Screenplay)
Producer: Robert Sisk
Cinematographer: William C. Mellor
Editor: John D. Dunning
Assistant Director: Ridgeway Callow
Sound: Conrad Kahn
Music: David Raksin
Special Effects: Warren Newcombe
Stunts: Archie Butler, Evelyn Finley, Fred Graham, John Indrisano, Eddie Juaregui, Fred Kennedy, Archie Fire Lame Deer, Fred McDougall, Chuck Roberson, Rocky Shahan, Clint Sharp, Slim Talbot, Ray Thomas, James Van Horn, Henry Wills, Jack N. Young

Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
General Release Date: 21 October 1951 (USA) 22 October 1951 (UK)


Cast

Clark Gable as Flint Mitchell
Ricardo Montalban as Ironshirt
John Hodiak as Brecan
Adolphe Menjou as Pierre
J. Carrol Naish as Looking Glass
Jack Holt as Bear Ghost
Alan Napier as Capt. Humberstone Lyon
George Chandler as Gowie
Richard Anderson as Dick Richardson
María Elena Marqués as Kamiah

Bobby Barber as Gardipe (uncredited)
Maurice Brierre as French Trapper (uncredited)
Timothy Carey as Baptiste DuNord (uncredited)
Gene Coogan as Marcelline (uncredited)
Frankie Darro as Cadet (uncredited)
Michael Dugan as Gordon (uncredited)
Tatzumbia Dupea as Indian Woman (uncredited)
Evelyn Finley as Squaw (uncredited)
Douglas Fowley as Tin Cup Owens (uncredited)
Fred Gilman as Harris (uncredited)
Fred Graham as Brown (uncredited)
John Hartman as Chip Mitchell (uncredited)
Tex Holden as Peg Leg Smith (uncredited)
Don House as Luke (uncredited)
Howard Keel as Narrator (uncredited) (voice)
Andrew Knife as Yellow Plume (uncredited)
Bert LeBaron as LeBonte (uncredited)
Henri Letondal as Lucien Chennault (uncredited)
Frank McGrath as St. Leger (uncredited)
John McKee as Killbuck (uncredited)
Edith Mills as Indian Woman (uncredited)
Elaine Naish as Indian Girl (uncredited)
Elmer Napier as Shad Skeggs (uncredited)
Louis Nicoletti as Roy DuNord (uncredited)
Manuel París as French Trapper (uncredited)
Albert Petit as French Trapper (uncredited)
Albert Pollet as French Trapper (uncredited)
Frank Richards as Tige Shannon (uncredited)
Russell Simpson as Hoback (uncredited)
Jack Sterling as Davis (uncredited)
Nipo T. Strongheart as Indian Chief (uncredited)
Ben Watson as Markhead (uncredited)
James Whitmore as Old Bill (uncredited)

Plot

The story of the opening of the trail west from St. Louis in the nineteenth century.


Review

Interesting Additional Information

J. Carroll Naish and his daughter Elaine both play native American indians.

Title Screens

Danger Valley (1937)

Director: Robert N. Bradbury
Writer: Robert Emmett Tansey (Story and Screenplay)
Producer: Robert N. Bradbury
Cinematography: Bert Longenecker
Editor: Howard Dillinger
Art Direction: E.R. Hickson
Assistant Director: Perry Murdock
Sound Recordist: Karl Zint (Credited as Carl Zint)

Stunts: Jim Corey, Helen Gibson, Chick Hannan, Carl Mathews, Tom Steele (Jack Randall's stunt double), Wally West.

Production Company: Monogram Pictures






Cast

Jack Randall as Jack Bruce
Lois Wilde as Mickey Temple
Hal Price as Sidekick Lucky
Charles King as Dana (Credited as Charles King Jr.)
Earl Dwire as Hardrock
Ernie Adams as Soapy
Jimmy Aubrey as Australia
Ed Brady as Jake Reed
Frank LaRue as Pappy Temple
Chick Hannan as Joe (Credited as Chick Hannon)
Helen Gibson as Nana Temple
Merrill McCormick as Henchman

Victor Adamson as Henchman (uncredited)
Barney Beasley as Barfly (uncredited)
Jim Corey as Henchman (uncredited)
Barney Furey as Mack, Claims Recorder (uncredited)
Oscar Gahan as Henchman (uncredited)
Clyde McClary as The Croupier (uncredited)
Buck Morgan as Barfly (uncredited)
George Morrell as Townsman (uncredited)
Tex Palmer as Henchman (uncredited)
Fred Parker as Doctor (uncredited)
Archie Ricks as Henchman (uncredited)
James Sheridan as Henchman (uncredited)
Glenn Strange as Marshal Dale (uncredited)
Wally West as Posse Rider (uncredited)

The Plot

A claim is made for gold prospecting, on an area of land, by the Temple family. When it is registered the villain, Dana, guesses its worth and aims to kill the Temple's representative and make a false claim for himself with the aid of his gang of henchmen. The hero of the film 'Jack Bruce' will try and stop Dana and his gang from not only taking away the Temple family's claim, but also from taking over the whole town, which is booming after the claim is made public.

Review

A low budget Western made by Monogram Pictures, who were known for making low budget films of many genres in what was sometimes referred to as 'Poverty Row'. The plot was simple and the copy of the film I had seemed to either have small segments missing or the story just jumped forward every so often. Who knows why, but it could be that there was not enough footage to fill the storyline or maybe there was a need to edit the film to a shorter length so as to make it more available to show as a double feature with another film. It could be that some footage is just lost and not deemed important enough to bother with.

The acting at this level of film production was good enough for the most part. The leads, Jack Randall and Lois Wilde, made the most of a poor script and both could have been comfortable in a bigger budget film. The supporting cast gave us some familiar faces in familiar roles, most notably Charles King in one of his many Westerns as the villian 'Dana'. Charles King is a much better actor than his legacy has him made out to be. There is the usual band of good guys to support the Temple family and a sidekick for the hero.

Overall not a great film. In fact it is forgettable in the mix of similar plots and levels of production in other films made in the 1930s 'quickie' Western genre. These kinds of films did give actors regular work during a period of history where jobs were notably scarce.

Interesting Additional Information

Jack Randall was a Broadway actor and singer who signed to Monogram Pictures as a singing cowboy, which was all the rage by the end of the 1930s. Unfortunately, Jack's star never shone as brightly as Tex Ritter, Gene Autry or Roy Rogers, owing mainly to the low production values at Monogram. In later films Jack would drop the singing, but still played lead 'hero' roles in B-Westerns. He died in 1945, having a heart attack while he was riding a horse during the shooting of the film serial 'The Royal Mounted Rides Again (1945)'. His parts were re-shot using Milburn Stone.

This was Lois Wilde's last film before breaking her neck, in 1938, whilst travelling as a passenger in car. The car went over a dip in the road in Beverly Hills and the extreme jolt broke Lois' neck and ruined her steady career. She did appear in a few more films in the 1950s as a background extra.

Lois was also seen in the occasional TV commercial.

Chick Hannan (seen here on the left) plays a character called 'Joe' and has to 'age up' for the role. He was about 36 years old when filming this Western, but was playing one of the 'old-timers' dedicated to the Temple family. He is given very little to say and murmurs his way through most of his scenes in the film. Hannan is also listed as performing stunts in this movie, which would probably be the scene late on where many of the 'bad guys' are shot off their horses.

Helen Gibson plays a small role as the sister of the leading female character, who is shot and killed early on the film. This scene is where Helen would perform her one and only stunt, as far as I know, falling off the wagon after being shot. That particular scene was shot at a low angle in a studio and the stunt was very tame compared to other stunts in the movie. However, Helen Gibson was by this time in her forties and a veteran of the classic silent 'cliffhanger' movie serials in which she starred in episodes doing her own stunts not unlike Pearl White in the more famous 'The Perils of Pauline (1914)'.

For a sidekick, Hal Price (with the beard) had very little to do. It seemed that in these quick Westerns that the hero always had to have a companion.

Hal Price was, at this time in his life, a very popular 'go to' actor for small spreaking roles in low-budget films. In 1937 alone, Price appeared in at least 25 films; some in credited roles like this one and some as uncredited background characters. Away from Westerns, Price appeared in the film serial 'Dick Tracy' starring Ralph Byrd. He was also in several 'bigger' movies for Paramount Pictures.

Placing a female extra in a prominent position in the frame (like the actress on the right) is always going to raise the question 'Who is she?'. It seems likely that she would be used in many more films made by Monogram Pictures and is too beautiful to be left in the background. It makes me wonder if she was ever credited in another film. The picture isn't clear enough to identify her properly. There were very few roles for actresses in these cheap Westerns and so there are many instances like this one of ladies being used for background effect in bar-room scenes.









Title Screens

This was only the third film where Jack Randall used this name. His previous credited roles were using his real name Addison Randall. Incidentally, Jack is the uncle of the actor, writer and director Addison Randall who was born four years after Jack's death to his older brother Robert Livingston, who was also an actor.

Goofs

Frank LaRue's character 'Pappy Temple' was referred to as Mickey Temple's father and grandfather at different times in the film. So who is he?