THANK YOU to the MOVIES TV NETWORK for resurrecting this outstanding western slash drama, long in the shadow of the famous John Wayne film (of the same title). This got air play years ago on tv, then disappeared, largely due to countless film tributes to Wayne. The 1936 version is much more dramatic and poignant, and tall, dark and handsome 30s movie idol Chester Morris is the whole show. Usually Morris was cast in more romantic or detective features, and actually was compared to the comic strip hero DICK TRACY (later starring as BOSTON BLACKIE in the 40s), but he truly makes the most of his screen time, the part of a two fisted bank robber! He and partners Lewis Stone and Walter Brennan hold up a desert town bank, only to confront a dying woman and her baby. She passes and the kid is all theirs -- in the middle of nowhere, necessitating a trip back to the town they just ravaged? Oustanding on location work at Red Rock Canyon, California, bordering the treacherous Mojave desert, of all places. Richard Boleslawski directed this masterfully for MGM and got just what he wanted from the stars. Beautiful Irene Hervery co-stars as Molly (with an eye for Morris, naturally), and look for pre-Charlie Chan Sidney Toler as the professor.
The ending will stay with you. A must see for both Morris and Boleslawski completists. Boleslawski next directed the comedy classic THEODORA GOES WILD with Irene Dunne. Now and dvd, and rightly so.
The ending will stay with you. A must see for both Morris and Boleslawski completists. Boleslawski next directed the comedy classic THEODORA GOES WILD with Irene Dunne. Now and dvd, and rightly so.