Paul Colt's Blog, page 4
May 11, 2025
In Old Santa Fe
We started down the Joseph Kane Gene Autry trail In Old Santa Fe. The film starred Ken Meynard and George “Gabby” Hayes. Gene rode along by way of an uncredited appearance singing a bluegrass arrangement of “Wyoming Waltz” accompanied by Smiley Burnette on the accordion. The appearance amounted to a screen test for Autry’s first starring role. This is where the research took us on an unexpected, though thoroughly entertaining side trip beside Kane’s filmography. We’ll get back to Kane presently, but first we get Gene Autry in The Phantom Empire.
Phantom Empire? Phantom Empire. A twelve “chapter” serial released by Mascot Pictures. There’s a trip down memory lane for those of us old enough to remember. Youngsters will simply have to indulge us nostalgia. Serials were films shown in weekly episodes, catering to kids on Saturdays in the days before TV was widely available. Paired with a feature film, each 20 minute serial chapter ended in some precarious what happens next moment designed to bring kids back next Saturday. How about a green river soda and a box of Milk Duds?
In Phantom Empire, Gene plays a singing cowboy host of Radio Ranch, a daily program featuring trick riding, shooting, and songs of the old west. Gene and his pards along with bad-guy scientists in search of uranium (atomic age preview in 1935), discover entry to the vast underground alien city of Murania ruled by evil Queen Tika. Queenie and her minions possess all manner of fanciful futuristic unknown scientific gadgetry. In Phantom Empire we are treated to sci-fi western for any compelled to combine western and sci-fi. Likely why some say sci-fi is nothing more than a western with rockets and ray guns. To no one’s surprise Gene triumphs over the evil queen and her baddies. The End.
For so humble a beginning The Phantom Empire certainly left a lofty legacy. It introduced us to Gene Autry. According to sources, it was a box office success, born on the back of popcorn, soda pop, and forget-me-not Milk Duds. Then there is the sci-fi western sub-genre that survives to this very day, though truthfully, I like my sci-fi-sci-fi and my westerns western. Don’t mix peas and potatoes either.
Next Week: Tumbling Tumbleweeds
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Ride easy,
Paul
Phantom Empire? Phantom Empire. A twelve “chapter” serial released by Mascot Pictures. There’s a trip down memory lane for those of us old enough to remember. Youngsters will simply have to indulge us nostalgia. Serials were films shown in weekly episodes, catering to kids on Saturdays in the days before TV was widely available. Paired with a feature film, each 20 minute serial chapter ended in some precarious what happens next moment designed to bring kids back next Saturday. How about a green river soda and a box of Milk Duds?
In Phantom Empire, Gene plays a singing cowboy host of Radio Ranch, a daily program featuring trick riding, shooting, and songs of the old west. Gene and his pards along with bad-guy scientists in search of uranium (atomic age preview in 1935), discover entry to the vast underground alien city of Murania ruled by evil Queen Tika. Queenie and her minions possess all manner of fanciful futuristic unknown scientific gadgetry. In Phantom Empire we are treated to sci-fi western for any compelled to combine western and sci-fi. Likely why some say sci-fi is nothing more than a western with rockets and ray guns. To no one’s surprise Gene triumphs over the evil queen and her baddies. The End.
For so humble a beginning The Phantom Empire certainly left a lofty legacy. It introduced us to Gene Autry. According to sources, it was a box office success, born on the back of popcorn, soda pop, and forget-me-not Milk Duds. Then there is the sci-fi western sub-genre that survives to this very day, though truthfully, I like my sci-fi-sci-fi and my westerns western. Don’t mix peas and potatoes either.
Next Week: Tumbling Tumbleweeds
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 4, 2025
Remember Joseph Kane?
I confess I had no idea who Joseph Kane was when I stumbled on his link to this series. Sure should have. For those of you who like me don’t remember Joseph Kane, you probably owe your affection for western film to a hefty dose of his filmography. Buckle-up.
Jasper Joseph Inman Kane started his entertainment career as a cellist. Nothing says western like a cello, though at risk of giving away where all this is going, that first given name may hint at George Hayes’ use of it. Kane took an interest in film directing and caught on with Republic pictures in 1935. Now we’re getting somewhere. At Republic Kane took up screen writing, directing, film editing, and production. Over the course of his career he directed 119 films and television series episodes, mostly westerns.
Kane directed a cavalcade of western stars with names like Walter Brennan, Edgar Buchanan, Lee Van Cleef, Barbara Stanwick, and John Wayne. Add Smiley Burnette and George “Gabby” Hayes to the list and we come to the meat of the matter. Kane wrote, produced, and directed Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. And that, my friends, is how so many of us learned to love western film growing up. Sure those films were soaked in what became cliché – good guys in white hats, bad guys in black. Heros on big, beautiful horses, tacked up to co-star billing while bad guys rode non-descript bays. The bad guys came in for just deserts while the good guy got the girl and a song.
Remember? I sure do. It’s why anytime you come across this author cowboyed-up for a book club, library appearance, book signing, or giving a talk somewhere he always comes wearing a retro fancy shirt like my heroes wore. So, now you understand why I couldn’t resist this series. Let’s revisit all those memories of Gene and Roy on a guided tour of Joseph Kane’s iconic filmography. Back in the Saddle Again with Gene Autry . . .
Next Week: In Old Santa Fe
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Ride easy,
Paul
Jasper Joseph Inman Kane started his entertainment career as a cellist. Nothing says western like a cello, though at risk of giving away where all this is going, that first given name may hint at George Hayes’ use of it. Kane took an interest in film directing and caught on with Republic pictures in 1935. Now we’re getting somewhere. At Republic Kane took up screen writing, directing, film editing, and production. Over the course of his career he directed 119 films and television series episodes, mostly westerns.
Kane directed a cavalcade of western stars with names like Walter Brennan, Edgar Buchanan, Lee Van Cleef, Barbara Stanwick, and John Wayne. Add Smiley Burnette and George “Gabby” Hayes to the list and we come to the meat of the matter. Kane wrote, produced, and directed Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. And that, my friends, is how so many of us learned to love western film growing up. Sure those films were soaked in what became cliché – good guys in white hats, bad guys in black. Heros on big, beautiful horses, tacked up to co-star billing while bad guys rode non-descript bays. The bad guys came in for just deserts while the good guy got the girl and a song.
Remember? I sure do. It’s why anytime you come across this author cowboyed-up for a book club, library appearance, book signing, or giving a talk somewhere he always comes wearing a retro fancy shirt like my heroes wore. So, now you understand why I couldn’t resist this series. Let’s revisit all those memories of Gene and Roy on a guided tour of Joseph Kane’s iconic filmography. Back in the Saddle Again with Gene Autry . . .
Next Week: In Old Santa Fe
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 27, 2025
7th Cavalry
The film 7th Cavalry is based on A Horse for Mrs. Custer, written by distinguished western writer Glendon Swarthout. It is a great story with credibly touching themes woven in the aftermath of the Custer’s historic Little Big Horn battle.
Custer favorite, Captain Tom Benson (Randolph Scott), returns for Fort Abraham Lincoln from leave taken to escort his fiancé Martha Kellogg (Barbara Hale) to the post. He finds the post all but deserted except for stockade prisoners and a guard detail lacking in discipline. He learns of the loss of Custer and his command from the widow of the officer who took Benson’s company into the field. Major Marcus Reno and Captain Frederick Benteen return Abe Lincoln with the remains of their commands. They hold Benson in contempt for his absence.
Martha’s father, Colonel Kellogg arrives to conduct a board of inquiry into the loss of Custer’s command. Benson is defensive of the commander he respects and admires, creating tension with his father in law. When President Grant orders the officer’s remains recovered and the men under their command properly buried, Benson takes command of a burial detail composed of prisoners and their rag-tag guard detail.
On the trail prisoners take advantage of their circumstances to attempt a mutiny, Benson forcefully puts down. On reaching the Little Big Horn, the tribes make clear the Greasy Grass battle site is sacred ground they will fight to preserve. The standoff becomes tense. At the point hostilities are about to break out, Custer’s spare horse who survived the battle appears on the field. At the sound of the bugle call to charge, the horse joins ranks with Benson’s command. At seeing that the Indians believe Custer’s spirit has returned. They allow the bodies to be buried and officer remains recovered.
Benson returns to Abraham Lincoln with the remains he was sent to recover. He and his father-in-law reconcile, joined in salute as colors are retired in honor of the fallen. Fictional story? Of course. Yet it captures cross currents of controversy surrounding Custer’s ill-fated command.
Next Week: Remember Joseph Kane?
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Ride easy,
Paul
Custer favorite, Captain Tom Benson (Randolph Scott), returns for Fort Abraham Lincoln from leave taken to escort his fiancé Martha Kellogg (Barbara Hale) to the post. He finds the post all but deserted except for stockade prisoners and a guard detail lacking in discipline. He learns of the loss of Custer and his command from the widow of the officer who took Benson’s company into the field. Major Marcus Reno and Captain Frederick Benteen return Abe Lincoln with the remains of their commands. They hold Benson in contempt for his absence.
Martha’s father, Colonel Kellogg arrives to conduct a board of inquiry into the loss of Custer’s command. Benson is defensive of the commander he respects and admires, creating tension with his father in law. When President Grant orders the officer’s remains recovered and the men under their command properly buried, Benson takes command of a burial detail composed of prisoners and their rag-tag guard detail.
On the trail prisoners take advantage of their circumstances to attempt a mutiny, Benson forcefully puts down. On reaching the Little Big Horn, the tribes make clear the Greasy Grass battle site is sacred ground they will fight to preserve. The standoff becomes tense. At the point hostilities are about to break out, Custer’s spare horse who survived the battle appears on the field. At the sound of the bugle call to charge, the horse joins ranks with Benson’s command. At seeing that the Indians believe Custer’s spirit has returned. They allow the bodies to be buried and officer remains recovered.
Benson returns to Abraham Lincoln with the remains he was sent to recover. He and his father-in-law reconcile, joined in salute as colors are retired in honor of the fallen. Fictional story? Of course. Yet it captures cross currents of controversy surrounding Custer’s ill-fated command.
Next Week: Remember Joseph Kane?
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 13, 2025
Who Knew?
The next film in the 1955 Randolph Scott series is Rage at Dawn, the post-civil war western story of the Reno brothers outlaw gang terrorizing – wait for it – southern Indiana. Leave it to Hollywood to misplace the Mississippi River for a film based on a true story.
Four of the five Reno brothers return home from fighting for the confederacy. In a story that parallels the James brothers in Kansas, the boys continue their private war robbing banks and trains. They attempt to rob the bank in a nearby town. Tipped off by a local bartender; the boys are greeted with their version of the James gang’s Northfield shoot out. The brothers identify the traitor, an undercover detective, and burn his barn down with him in it. The agency sends James Barlow (Scott) as replacement.
Younger brother Clint Reno, stayed home to run the family farm, which brings us to our guest star, Elvis Pressley in the youngest brother role, not cast in the film Rage at Dawn, cast in a remake l o o s e l y based on the Reno brothers story. Elvis brought his guitar to the film originally titled The Reno Brothers. Elvis released one of the soundtrack songs before filming began. When the song went to number one, selling over a million copies for the first time in recording industry history, the film was retitled Love Me Tender. The title having about as much to do with the Reno brothers story as the rest of the film. Who knew?
Elvis wasn’t happy with the film. He aspired to be a serious actor and did not want to mix music and acting. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker saw magic (money) in the crossover. Old Tom was right. Elvis ever after thought his acting career tainted by musical themes, lamenting all the way to the bank. To make Love Me Tender matters worse, Clint dies in the final scene. Elvis thought it a poor outcome for his image and never again took a part in a film where his character died.
So, what of Rage at Dawn? Barlow courts Laura Reno, and is grudgingly accepted into the gang. He sets up a train robbery which results in the brothers capture. Townsfolk lynch the brothers before they can be brought to trial in spite of Barlow’s best efforts to stop them. Laura realizes he did all he could.
Next Week: 7th Cavalry
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Ride easy,
Paul
Four of the five Reno brothers return home from fighting for the confederacy. In a story that parallels the James brothers in Kansas, the boys continue their private war robbing banks and trains. They attempt to rob the bank in a nearby town. Tipped off by a local bartender; the boys are greeted with their version of the James gang’s Northfield shoot out. The brothers identify the traitor, an undercover detective, and burn his barn down with him in it. The agency sends James Barlow (Scott) as replacement.
Younger brother Clint Reno, stayed home to run the family farm, which brings us to our guest star, Elvis Pressley in the youngest brother role, not cast in the film Rage at Dawn, cast in a remake l o o s e l y based on the Reno brothers story. Elvis brought his guitar to the film originally titled The Reno Brothers. Elvis released one of the soundtrack songs before filming began. When the song went to number one, selling over a million copies for the first time in recording industry history, the film was retitled Love Me Tender. The title having about as much to do with the Reno brothers story as the rest of the film. Who knew?
Elvis wasn’t happy with the film. He aspired to be a serious actor and did not want to mix music and acting. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker saw magic (money) in the crossover. Old Tom was right. Elvis ever after thought his acting career tainted by musical themes, lamenting all the way to the bank. To make Love Me Tender matters worse, Clint dies in the final scene. Elvis thought it a poor outcome for his image and never again took a part in a film where his character died.
So, what of Rage at Dawn? Barlow courts Laura Reno, and is grudgingly accepted into the gang. He sets up a train robbery which results in the brothers capture. Townsfolk lynch the brothers before they can be brought to trial in spite of Barlow’s best efforts to stop them. Laura realizes he did all he could.
Next Week: 7th Cavalry
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 6, 2025
Randolph Scott 1955
This post started out to review Randolph Scott’s 1955 filmography. Then we stumbled on a Who Knew? We’ll get to that next week. That left us with two towns need savin’. Follow that? Doesn’t matter
Start with Ten Wanted Men and a movie poster for every Scott fan to hang on a wall. Scott plays rancher John Stewart with a romantic eye out for widow Corinne Michaels. Stewart convinces his brother, lawyer Adam along with his grown nephew Howie, to settle in Ocatilla Arizona. The Stewarts get crosswise with rival rancher Wick Campbell (Richard Boone – before his gun went travelin’). To make matters worse, Wick has a servant girl Maria he has his eye on. She has her eye on Howie.
Wick hires gunfighter Frank Scavo and his gang to get rid of the Stewarts. One of Scavo’s men tries to gun Howie who unexpectedly kills him in self-defense. (Ok. Howie and a hired gun? The kid needs a tougher name. I digress.) Howie is arrested by Wick’s personal sheriff and charged with murder. Blood goes bad when Wick murders Adam Stewart. Howie breaks out of jail and runs off with Maria. John straps on his guns and cleans up the town. Double wedding
Medicine Bend comes next town needin' savin’ on A Lawless Street. Marshal Calem Ware (Scott) is opposed by saloon owner Cody Clark and comique theater owner Hammer Thorne (Now we get some names that fit!) Thorne hires entertainer and old Ware flame Tally Dickenson (Angela Lansbury) and takes a shine to her right on cue.
Clark and Thorne decide to put an end to Ware’s brand of law and order once and for all. Wait for it … they hire gunfighter Harley Baskam to hill the marshal. Baskam grazes Ware in a gun fight knocking him unconscious. Taken for dead, Ware is removed to the jail where he recovers. The marshal’s second showdown with Baskam leaves the gunfighter dead. With Baskam dead Thorne expects Ware to come for him next. Nervous he accidentally shoots Clark through a door. Thorne runs but is tracked down by a posse. With Medicine Bend’s lawless street saved, Ware gives up marshaling in favor of Tally. (Bet you knew that)
Next Week: Who Knew?
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Ride easy,
Paul
Start with Ten Wanted Men and a movie poster for every Scott fan to hang on a wall. Scott plays rancher John Stewart with a romantic eye out for widow Corinne Michaels. Stewart convinces his brother, lawyer Adam along with his grown nephew Howie, to settle in Ocatilla Arizona. The Stewarts get crosswise with rival rancher Wick Campbell (Richard Boone – before his gun went travelin’). To make matters worse, Wick has a servant girl Maria he has his eye on. She has her eye on Howie.
Wick hires gunfighter Frank Scavo and his gang to get rid of the Stewarts. One of Scavo’s men tries to gun Howie who unexpectedly kills him in self-defense. (Ok. Howie and a hired gun? The kid needs a tougher name. I digress.) Howie is arrested by Wick’s personal sheriff and charged with murder. Blood goes bad when Wick murders Adam Stewart. Howie breaks out of jail and runs off with Maria. John straps on his guns and cleans up the town. Double wedding
Medicine Bend comes next town needin' savin’ on A Lawless Street. Marshal Calem Ware (Scott) is opposed by saloon owner Cody Clark and comique theater owner Hammer Thorne (Now we get some names that fit!) Thorne hires entertainer and old Ware flame Tally Dickenson (Angela Lansbury) and takes a shine to her right on cue.
Clark and Thorne decide to put an end to Ware’s brand of law and order once and for all. Wait for it … they hire gunfighter Harley Baskam to hill the marshal. Baskam grazes Ware in a gun fight knocking him unconscious. Taken for dead, Ware is removed to the jail where he recovers. The marshal’s second showdown with Baskam leaves the gunfighter dead. With Baskam dead Thorne expects Ware to come for him next. Nervous he accidentally shoots Clark through a door. Thorne runs but is tracked down by a posse. With Medicine Bend’s lawless street saved, Ware gives up marshaling in favor of Tally. (Bet you knew that)
Next Week: Who Knew?
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Ride easy,
Paul
March 30, 2025
The Bounty Hunter
Someone had to bring the first lead role cast as a bounty hunter to western film. Who better than Randolph Scott? While you’re at it, why not film it in 3D? Not enough 3D theaters in 1954 for a successful box office, so release it in standard format.
Pinkerton offers bounty hunter Jim Kipp (Scott) big money, dead or alive, to track down a trio of bandits who made off with $100,000. The trail of one wounded leads to the town of Twin Forks and the office of Dr. Spencer. Using an assumed identity to cover his reputation, Kipp questions the good doctor who withholds what he knows in spite of his own suspicions. Kipp’s suspicions have him stick around town along with an admiring eye for the doctor’s young daughter Julie (Dolores Dorn).
Suspicion falls on card sharp George Williams. William’s wife Alice (Marie Windsor) has her own suspicions about Kipp, who successfully evades her flirtatious questions searching for what he’s after. Kipp’s cover is finally blown when Vance Edwards, fugitive for another crime, fears the bounty hunter is after him. Kipp tells the doctor he is expecting a wanted poster bearing the likeness of one of the bandits. Julie overhears.
Dr. Spencer acts on his own suspicions confronting George Williams who he believes associated with the robbers. Williams agrees to take the doctor to the bandits, giving the doctor a bullet for his troubles. Kipp hears the shot and captures Williams, forcing him to talk. Before the truth can come out, Williams is shot by the sheriff. Kipp now has a new suspect. The sheriff lays a trap to kill Kipp. Kipp escapes with the help of Vance who is relieved Kipp is not on his trail.
Kipp confronts the sheriff with the wanted poster in his likeness. The sheriff goes for his gun, Alice shoots him for having killed her husband. Kipp realizes Alice is the third robber. Julie jumps Alice to protect Kipp. The ladies proceed to have a knock down drag out cat fight over the pistol critics call the greatest female fight ever filmed. Kipp subdues Alice. Finds the loot in her saddlebags. Case closed, Kipp settles in Twin Forks to marry Julie and take over as sheriff.
Next Week: Randolph Scott 1955
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Ride easy,
Paul
Pinkerton offers bounty hunter Jim Kipp (Scott) big money, dead or alive, to track down a trio of bandits who made off with $100,000. The trail of one wounded leads to the town of Twin Forks and the office of Dr. Spencer. Using an assumed identity to cover his reputation, Kipp questions the good doctor who withholds what he knows in spite of his own suspicions. Kipp’s suspicions have him stick around town along with an admiring eye for the doctor’s young daughter Julie (Dolores Dorn).
Suspicion falls on card sharp George Williams. William’s wife Alice (Marie Windsor) has her own suspicions about Kipp, who successfully evades her flirtatious questions searching for what he’s after. Kipp’s cover is finally blown when Vance Edwards, fugitive for another crime, fears the bounty hunter is after him. Kipp tells the doctor he is expecting a wanted poster bearing the likeness of one of the bandits. Julie overhears.
Dr. Spencer acts on his own suspicions confronting George Williams who he believes associated with the robbers. Williams agrees to take the doctor to the bandits, giving the doctor a bullet for his troubles. Kipp hears the shot and captures Williams, forcing him to talk. Before the truth can come out, Williams is shot by the sheriff. Kipp now has a new suspect. The sheriff lays a trap to kill Kipp. Kipp escapes with the help of Vance who is relieved Kipp is not on his trail.
Kipp confronts the sheriff with the wanted poster in his likeness. The sheriff goes for his gun, Alice shoots him for having killed her husband. Kipp realizes Alice is the third robber. Julie jumps Alice to protect Kipp. The ladies proceed to have a knock down drag out cat fight over the pistol critics call the greatest female fight ever filmed. Kipp subdues Alice. Finds the loot in her saddlebags. Case closed, Kipp settles in Twin Forks to marry Julie and take over as sheriff.
Next Week: Randolph Scott 1955
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Paul
March 23, 2025
Randolph Scott 1953
Yeah, we skipped ’52. Two films, Carson City and Hangman’s Knot. Not enough info available for a post unless you are interested tying nooses. Did stumble on the vein for a new series down the line. Who knew movie ranches were icons of western film? We shall see. Back to ’53.
Western films tend to revolve around variations on recurring plot themes. Range wars, water right disputes, mining claims, robbery, murder, rustling, mistaken identity crimes to name a few. Randolph Scott’s 1953 filmography offers three films of modest historical record distinguished by interesting plots, twists, and casting stars of the future.
The Stranger Wore a Gun gives us former Quantrill Raider Jeff Travis who leaves the brutal bushwhackers to head to Arizona and a new life. There he is hired by crooked saloon owner Jules Mouret to safeguard gold shipments from rival gangs of stage robbers, one of which is led by Mouret. Enter drifter gambler Josie Sullivan (Claire Trevor) who sets up shop in Mouret’s saloon. Stage robbing gets rolling when Mouret’s gang confronts their rival while Jeff saves the gold. Showdown with Mouret’s gang starts with Dan Kurth (Lee Marvin). Guess who’s faster. Jeff confronts Mouret in the saloon, facing off with Bull Slager (Ernest Borgnine). Slager goes for a hideout gun at his back. Josie hits him in the arm with a lamp setting the saloon on fire. Jeff shoots Slager. Mouret goes down with his saloon. Jeff gets Josie. The end.
The Man Behind the Gun cast Scott as an undercover detective Ransome Callicut traveling west to California by stage. Along the way he foils a stage robbery much to the relief of Lora Roberts schoolteacher on her way to wed Army Captain Roy Giles, who has been two-timing her with singer Chona Degnon. Crooked Senator Mark Sheldon is planning a land grab for water and oil rights. Callicut breaks up the plot. Laura leaves Giles to Chona and well . . . you know the rest.
Thunder Over the Plains gave us a civil war reconstruction plot with carpetbagger crooks holding public offices they use to victimize Texans. Scott plays Texan Union army officer forced to choose duty over loyalty. Great plot theme with not much to back it other than the prestigious 1953 Best Randolph Scott Movie Poster Award.
Next Week: The Bounty Hunter
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Ride easy,
Paul
Western films tend to revolve around variations on recurring plot themes. Range wars, water right disputes, mining claims, robbery, murder, rustling, mistaken identity crimes to name a few. Randolph Scott’s 1953 filmography offers three films of modest historical record distinguished by interesting plots, twists, and casting stars of the future.
The Stranger Wore a Gun gives us former Quantrill Raider Jeff Travis who leaves the brutal bushwhackers to head to Arizona and a new life. There he is hired by crooked saloon owner Jules Mouret to safeguard gold shipments from rival gangs of stage robbers, one of which is led by Mouret. Enter drifter gambler Josie Sullivan (Claire Trevor) who sets up shop in Mouret’s saloon. Stage robbing gets rolling when Mouret’s gang confronts their rival while Jeff saves the gold. Showdown with Mouret’s gang starts with Dan Kurth (Lee Marvin). Guess who’s faster. Jeff confronts Mouret in the saloon, facing off with Bull Slager (Ernest Borgnine). Slager goes for a hideout gun at his back. Josie hits him in the arm with a lamp setting the saloon on fire. Jeff shoots Slager. Mouret goes down with his saloon. Jeff gets Josie. The end.
The Man Behind the Gun cast Scott as an undercover detective Ransome Callicut traveling west to California by stage. Along the way he foils a stage robbery much to the relief of Lora Roberts schoolteacher on her way to wed Army Captain Roy Giles, who has been two-timing her with singer Chona Degnon. Crooked Senator Mark Sheldon is planning a land grab for water and oil rights. Callicut breaks up the plot. Laura leaves Giles to Chona and well . . . you know the rest.
Thunder Over the Plains gave us a civil war reconstruction plot with carpetbagger crooks holding public offices they use to victimize Texans. Scott plays Texan Union army officer forced to choose duty over loyalty. Great plot theme with not much to back it other than the prestigious 1953 Best Randolph Scott Movie Poster Award.
Next Week: The Bounty Hunter
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Ride easy,
Paul
March 16, 2025
Randolph Scott 1951
Turned six in ’51. Gets me over not remembering these film as vividly as I might. Then again, my usual research sources didn’t render much either. Still we managed to turn out a few nuggets to entertain for the week. Let’s start with Santa Fe. The film is based on a 1945 novel by James Vance Marshall titled Santa Fe, The Railroad That Built an Empire. Based on an empire you’d think epic film. It did have Randolph Scott in the lead role as railroad detective Brit Canfield. Santa Fe is a beautiful city. We award Santa Fe Best 1951 Randolph Scott Movie Poster . . .
Next, we have Fort Worth. Scott plays gunfighter turned newspaper man Ned Britt. Britt runs afoul of a crooked cattle baron he tries to take down by the power of the press. You guessed it, those guns he hung up were needed to close the deal. Of note to me and a tribute to type casting, Bob Steele appears in the role of Shorty.
Man in the Saddle tries the true bromide farmers and cattlemen can’t be friends. Scott plays farmer to a powerful rancher whose wife, farmer Merritt’s former girlfriend, married for money. Merritt is moving on with girl next door Nan, when range war breaks out over the rancher’s land grab designs and jealous suspicion old embers smolder. Merritt dodges his way to an uneasy truce that gets the rancher killed in the bargain. Widow gets ranch. Merritt gets Nan. Tennessee Ernie Ford sings the ballad theme – uncredited.
Which brings us to Sugarfoot, runner up in the prestigious Best 1951 Randolph Scott Movie Poster Award. Scott plays confederate southern gentleman Jackson Redan gone west to Arizona after the war. Locals dub his melodic drawl and genteel manners ‘Sugarfoot.’ Redan goes to work for a local businessman only to get himself robbed of four thousand dollars of the boss’s money by old rival Jacob Stint. Stint is played by Raymond Massey. Redan recovers the money but is wounded for his trouble. Reva, the girl Sugar has no time for, nurses him back to health in time for showdown with the bad guys and happily ever after. Oh, and the film title and Scott’s character name . . . have nothing to do with the popular tv series by the same name.
Next Week: Randolph Scott 1953
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Ride easy,
Paul
Next, we have Fort Worth. Scott plays gunfighter turned newspaper man Ned Britt. Britt runs afoul of a crooked cattle baron he tries to take down by the power of the press. You guessed it, those guns he hung up were needed to close the deal. Of note to me and a tribute to type casting, Bob Steele appears in the role of Shorty.
Man in the Saddle tries the true bromide farmers and cattlemen can’t be friends. Scott plays farmer to a powerful rancher whose wife, farmer Merritt’s former girlfriend, married for money. Merritt is moving on with girl next door Nan, when range war breaks out over the rancher’s land grab designs and jealous suspicion old embers smolder. Merritt dodges his way to an uneasy truce that gets the rancher killed in the bargain. Widow gets ranch. Merritt gets Nan. Tennessee Ernie Ford sings the ballad theme – uncredited.
Which brings us to Sugarfoot, runner up in the prestigious Best 1951 Randolph Scott Movie Poster Award. Scott plays confederate southern gentleman Jackson Redan gone west to Arizona after the war. Locals dub his melodic drawl and genteel manners ‘Sugarfoot.’ Redan goes to work for a local businessman only to get himself robbed of four thousand dollars of the boss’s money by old rival Jacob Stint. Stint is played by Raymond Massey. Redan recovers the money but is wounded for his trouble. Reva, the girl Sugar has no time for, nurses him back to health in time for showdown with the bad guys and happily ever after. Oh, and the film title and Scott’s character name . . . have nothing to do with the popular tv series by the same name.
Next Week: Randolph Scott 1953
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Ride easy,
Paul
March 9, 2025
Colt .45
Colt .45 is a 1950 western film based Colt .45’s predecessor the Colt .44. Seven years later we get a TV series loosely based on the film – loosely ever being in Hollywood’s best interest. Setting all that aside we get another great Randolph Scott film costarring Ruth Roman and Zachary Scott. R. Scott plays Colt Firearms drummer, Steve Farrell, hawking the new model Colt .45 repeating pistol. A pair of his wares are stolen by outlaw killer Jason Brett (Z. Scott) in a jail break. Farrell follows the fugitive to Texas where he proves to be a fair gun hand himself.
In Texas Farrell encounters and befriends an Indian chief wounded by Brett and Beth Donovan (Roman) wife of Brett gang member Paul Donovan (Lloyd Bridges), though she believes he is being forced to cooperate with the outlaws. Brett and his gang use the Donovan’s cabin near the town of Bonanza Creek as a hideout. Bonanza Creek’s Sheriff is in league with the outlaws. The sheriff deputizes Farrell, setting him up for Brett and his men to ambush him.
Farrell escapes the ambush with the help of Chief Walking Bear and his braves. Back at the hideout Beth discovers the truth about her husband. He locks her up when she threatens to turn him in. She escapes and is wounded, though Farrell rides to her rescue. He takes her to the Indian camp where she is cared for. Recovered she tells Farrell Brett intends to take over the town. The showdown begins when Brett decides Paul Donovan and his troublesome wife are of no further use, emptying his Colt .45’s in Paul’s back.
The sheriff and the gang lay an ambush for Farrell on the way into town. Farrell is captured, though Walking Bear and his warriors intervene. Mortally wounded, the sheriff escapes into town to warn Brett. Farrell and the Indians hit town and go about the business of taking down gang members. Brett takes refuge in the sheriff’s office with Beth as his hostage. Farrell confronts Brett at the jail. Brett uses Beth as a shield. She breaks away. Brett retreats into the jail, his guns empty. Farrell enters, sets his guns down to settle matters with his fists. In the course of the fight each grab one of Farrell's guns. Shots are fired as the scene cuts to the jail door. Who will emerge? Brett appears in the doorway, steps off the boardwalk into the street where he falls dead. Farrell steps out into Beth’s arms and happy ending.
Next Week: Randolph Scott 1951
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Ride easy,
Paul
In Texas Farrell encounters and befriends an Indian chief wounded by Brett and Beth Donovan (Roman) wife of Brett gang member Paul Donovan (Lloyd Bridges), though she believes he is being forced to cooperate with the outlaws. Brett and his gang use the Donovan’s cabin near the town of Bonanza Creek as a hideout. Bonanza Creek’s Sheriff is in league with the outlaws. The sheriff deputizes Farrell, setting him up for Brett and his men to ambush him.
Farrell escapes the ambush with the help of Chief Walking Bear and his braves. Back at the hideout Beth discovers the truth about her husband. He locks her up when she threatens to turn him in. She escapes and is wounded, though Farrell rides to her rescue. He takes her to the Indian camp where she is cared for. Recovered she tells Farrell Brett intends to take over the town. The showdown begins when Brett decides Paul Donovan and his troublesome wife are of no further use, emptying his Colt .45’s in Paul’s back.
The sheriff and the gang lay an ambush for Farrell on the way into town. Farrell is captured, though Walking Bear and his warriors intervene. Mortally wounded, the sheriff escapes into town to warn Brett. Farrell and the Indians hit town and go about the business of taking down gang members. Brett takes refuge in the sheriff’s office with Beth as his hostage. Farrell confronts Brett at the jail. Brett uses Beth as a shield. She breaks away. Brett retreats into the jail, his guns empty. Farrell enters, sets his guns down to settle matters with his fists. In the course of the fight each grab one of Farrell's guns. Shots are fired as the scene cuts to the jail door. Who will emerge? Brett appears in the doorway, steps off the boardwalk into the street where he falls dead. Farrell steps out into Beth’s arms and happy ending.
Next Week: Randolph Scott 1951
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Ride easy,
Paul
March 2, 2025
Randolph Returns 1949
Randolph Scott’s filmography gives us two themes in 1949, railroads and Victor Jory. The first film, Canadian Pacific, is set against the backdrop of constructing the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Scott plays surveyor Tom Andrews charged with unraveling a route through the Rockies. No small fete when the powerful fur trade decides the railroad will be bad for business. Fur trader Dirk Rourke (Jory) and an accomplice named Cagle conspire to stop Andrews and the railroad. Andrews is injured in a dynamite attempt on his life. He recovers in the tender care of crew doctor and pacifist Edith Cabot (Jane Wyatt). She joins a romantic triangle with Andrews who is engaged to Cecile Gautier.
Rourke’s campaign against the railroad turns to stirring up Indian trouble. Andrews straps on his guns over Edith’s objections in time for the showdown shootout with Rourke, Cagle, and the Indian uprising. Edith finds life in the west too violent to her taste and heads back east leaving Andrews and Cecile to happily ever after.
The second film, Fighting Man of the Plains, revisits familiar themes from our recent run of bad man films along with railroads for robbing and Jory in a supporting role as a gambler. Scott plays Quantrill Raider Jim Dancer, befriended by Jesse James, played by Dale Robertson in his first credited role. Dancer kills a man named Slocum at Quantrill’s Lawrence Kansas massacre, mistaking him for the brother who killed Dancer’s brother.
After the war, Dancer becomes an outlaw captured by a Pinkerton detective. Dancer survives a river crossing mishap, while the detective he is handcuffed to drowns. When passersby Dave Oldham (Jory) and saloon owner Florence Peel (Jane Nigh) find Dancer and the deceased on a riverbank near the town of Lanyard, Dancer assumes the detective’s identity. Dave and Flo aren’t fooled. In town ‘detective’ Dancer discovers the Slocum he should have killed runs Lanyard with designs on its railroad. Dancer becomes town marshal but is arrested when recognized as the man who killed Slocum’s brother. Tried and sentenced to hang he is on his way to a tree when Jesse and the Younger gang arrive. Slocum and his accomplices are killed in the shootout. Jesse and the Youngers ride off leaving Dancer to Florence. The end.
Next Week: Colt .45 (OK, OK. I couldn’t resist.)
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Ride easy,
Paul
Rourke’s campaign against the railroad turns to stirring up Indian trouble. Andrews straps on his guns over Edith’s objections in time for the showdown shootout with Rourke, Cagle, and the Indian uprising. Edith finds life in the west too violent to her taste and heads back east leaving Andrews and Cecile to happily ever after.
The second film, Fighting Man of the Plains, revisits familiar themes from our recent run of bad man films along with railroads for robbing and Jory in a supporting role as a gambler. Scott plays Quantrill Raider Jim Dancer, befriended by Jesse James, played by Dale Robertson in his first credited role. Dancer kills a man named Slocum at Quantrill’s Lawrence Kansas massacre, mistaking him for the brother who killed Dancer’s brother.
After the war, Dancer becomes an outlaw captured by a Pinkerton detective. Dancer survives a river crossing mishap, while the detective he is handcuffed to drowns. When passersby Dave Oldham (Jory) and saloon owner Florence Peel (Jane Nigh) find Dancer and the deceased on a riverbank near the town of Lanyard, Dancer assumes the detective’s identity. Dave and Flo aren’t fooled. In town ‘detective’ Dancer discovers the Slocum he should have killed runs Lanyard with designs on its railroad. Dancer becomes town marshal but is arrested when recognized as the man who killed Slocum’s brother. Tried and sentenced to hang he is on his way to a tree when Jesse and the Younger gang arrive. Slocum and his accomplices are killed in the shootout. Jesse and the Youngers ride off leaving Dancer to Florence. The end.
Next Week: Colt .45 (OK, OK. I couldn’t resist.)
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Ride easy,
Paul
