User Reviews

"Land Beyond the Law" was another in Warner Bros. "Singing Cowboy" series starring Dick Foran. This installment gives him three of the meanest best known bad guys of the west in Harry Woods (where did he get THAT hat), Cy Kendall and Edmund Cobb. As well he is assigned a young Warner Bros. up and comer, Wayne Morris as the second lead.

This one is the old "drive the nesters out" plot. Chip Douglas Jr. (Foran) is a rowdy devil may care ranch hand working for rancher Slade Hensberry (Kendall). Chip rides with young Dave (Morris and Bandy (Glenn Strange) while Toascosa (Woods), Mason (Cobb) and Kirby (Henry Otho) work behind the scenes raiding the settlers and burning their properties.

Chip's father John Sr. (Tom Brower) is shipping his cattle earlier than planned. But the change of plans is overheard and Tascosa and the boys rustle the cattle killing the old man in the process. Meanwhile Cattle Kate Turner, the owner of a local saloon and hotel announces that her daughter Louise (Linda Perry) is coming to town. She and Chip don't immediately hit it off.

Governor Wallace (Joe King) sends his aide Major Adair (Gordon Hart) to entice Chip to take over as Sheriff. He hesitates at first but takes the job. This precipitates a fight between Chip and Tascosa in the street. Later at a dance at Kate's place, Chip wins over Louise with, what else, a song. Poor old Dave is left out of the picture.

Tascosa captures Sheriff Chip as he is trying to warn the farmers but he manages to escape. Chip rounds up a posse and rides to drive off the outlaws but........................................................................................

A routine Foran western enhanced by the above mentioned cast. He gets to sing a rousing "ridin' into town" song and a couple of serenades to the heroine. Wayne Morris was just starting out. He had a promising career at Warners cut short by WWII in which he was highly decorated. He resumed his career but mostly in supporting roles after the war.

This film was a remake of 1927's "Land Beyond the Law" starring Ken Maynard, and Warners's made it again in 1932 as "The Big Stampede" starring John Wayne. The film begins by showing that young cowhand John Douglas Jr., known as "Chip" (Dick Foran)has a wild reputation, acquired largely because he is one of the Circle Bar cowpokes, a rough bunch prone to be wild and wooley, especially since there are a few hardened killers in the mix.

This suits Circle Bar owner, and claimant of most of the rest of Bitter Creek Valley by right of conquest, Slade Henaberry (Cy Kendall) just fine. His gang, headed by Tascosa (Harry Woods), Mason (Edmund Cobb) and Kirby (Henry Otho), help rustle cattle and add land by killing off the nesters. Other hands, such as Chip and his pals, Dave Massey (Wayne Morris) and "Bandy" Malarkey (Glenn Strange),are unaware of the outlaw activities. When General Lew Wallace (Joseph King), author of "Ben Hur", takes control of the Territory of New Mexico, he tries to get Federal aid in subduing the lawless outrages, and saving the small cattlemen and nesters. He is denied, so he seeks a sheriff to replace the weak Sheriff Spence (Milton Kibbee).

"Cattle Kate" Turner (Irene Franklin), who runs the saloon and hotel, expects her 18-year-old daughter, Louise (Linda Perry), to visit her from an Eastern boarding school. She gets Chip to help her make things seem more respectable for the young girl. Chip meets Linda, thinks she is a little bit sassy and gives her a spanking. There is a little bit of something for everybody in B-westerns.

Meanwhile Chip's father, John Douglas Sr. (Tom Brower), a crusty old pioneer rancher, is having trouble with Henaberry, and is shot trying to keep his cattle from being driven off. This turns Chip to the side of the law and, on "Cattle Kate's" recommendation he is appointed sheriff by Wallace. He wins a few rounds against Tascosa and henchies, but is captured. Dave and "Bandy", who have stayed with the Circle Bar in order to learn more about Henaberry's operation, rescue him and they are deputized, and the three form a posse with the nesters and ride for San Luis Pass.

. . . if they had just seen their dad and the other 25 members of their equestrian men's chorale shot dead (not to mention having joined in on the gun fun by perforating their boss for the icing on the Funeral Cake)? Since the last man standing always inherits tons of loot, Chip can feed the rest of his Wild Oats to his "Wonder Horse" Smoke, and buy some Tame Oats for his spanking new lass Louise.