The good news is that "Riders of Destiny" just might be the best of John Wayne's Westerns for producer Paul Malvern's Lone Star Productions. The bad news would be that this was the first one, meaning that all the rest went downhill from here. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a 'B' Western fan from way back, but if you get a chance to view any of these, you'll have to take them with a good ole boy grain of nostalgia and an appreciation for simpler times.
Actually, "Rider of Destiny" might have been the better title, since it's Wayne's show all the way. He portrays Singin' Sandy Saunders and has a reputation as the most notorious gunman since Billy the Kid. That's somewhat ironic though, since it's later revealed that he's a special Secret Service agent sent from Washington to investigate a land swindle scheme under the direction of town boss James Kincaid (Forrest Taylor). How would he have earned that nickname having just arrived? Some other bits don't quite jive as well, like Saunders' finesse with a six gun. In the only actual one on one showdown with a villain that I can recall in a Lone Star, Saunders neatly places a bullet in each wrist of Slip Morgan (Earl Dwire), thereby making him a threat no more to righteous folks. One wonders how he might have learned to shoot like that.
But you know what? It doesn't make too much of a difference, because if you're a fan of these oaters, you'll have a blast with this one as much as all the rest. You've got your crazy horse spills, wild stage coach rides, and villainous intrigue to pull it all together. You also have your obligatory romantic leading lady, here portrayed by Cecilia Parker. Her character is Fay Denton, daughter of George (pre-Gabby) Hayes, and she signals her interest in Saunders right from the get go. He helps things along by serenading her with a few songs with Daddy present, and boy, they just can't get enough, even if his singing voice is nothing at all like his speaking voice.
Yakima Canutt is on hand as an unnamed Kincaid henchman, and of course it's Yak that's responsible for all the daring stunt work, including that trademark 'jump on the horse team and go under the stagecoach' trick, simply remarkable if you consider the timing and logistics involved. His fellow baddies include a comedic pair of stage drivers also working for Kincaid, Bert and Elmer (Al St. John and Heinie Conklin). It would be a few years before Al becomes 'Fuzzy'.
Modern day viewers might be left scratching their head over a line spoken by Wayne's character early in the film. When he discovers sheriff Bill Baxter wandering in the desert with a bullet wound, he tends him while adding - "I'll have you in Starbucks before night".
A lot has been debated over who the singer was who dubbed Wayne's voice in this movie and "The Man From Utah". A couple reviewers on this board credit old time band leader and crooner Smith Ballew, although Ballew himself denied it consistently until he passed away. The odds on favorite seems to be Bill Bradbury, son of director Robert North Bradbury, and twin brother of another era cowboy star, Bob Steele. Bill had a fine baritone voice, and used his talent to make some extra money while going to medical school. For anyone who cares to learn more about the controversy, check out the following page - http://www.b-westerns.com/jwayne1.htm.
You'll have to scroll down to the bottom part of the page, and it's a good read.
Anyway, for old time Western fans, "Riders of Destiny" is as good a place as any to see how John Wayne learned his craft. Hard to believe that by the time he made his breakout film "Stagecoach" to become an overnight success, he already had fifty one movies to his credit! Only one question remains though while watching 'Riders' - where were all those geese hanging out when there wasn't any water around?
Actually, "Rider of Destiny" might have been the better title, since it's Wayne's show all the way. He portrays Singin' Sandy Saunders and has a reputation as the most notorious gunman since Billy the Kid. That's somewhat ironic though, since it's later revealed that he's a special Secret Service agent sent from Washington to investigate a land swindle scheme under the direction of town boss James Kincaid (Forrest Taylor). How would he have earned that nickname having just arrived? Some other bits don't quite jive as well, like Saunders' finesse with a six gun. In the only actual one on one showdown with a villain that I can recall in a Lone Star, Saunders neatly places a bullet in each wrist of Slip Morgan (Earl Dwire), thereby making him a threat no more to righteous folks. One wonders how he might have learned to shoot like that.
But you know what? It doesn't make too much of a difference, because if you're a fan of these oaters, you'll have a blast with this one as much as all the rest. You've got your crazy horse spills, wild stage coach rides, and villainous intrigue to pull it all together. You also have your obligatory romantic leading lady, here portrayed by Cecilia Parker. Her character is Fay Denton, daughter of George (pre-Gabby) Hayes, and she signals her interest in Saunders right from the get go. He helps things along by serenading her with a few songs with Daddy present, and boy, they just can't get enough, even if his singing voice is nothing at all like his speaking voice.
Yakima Canutt is on hand as an unnamed Kincaid henchman, and of course it's Yak that's responsible for all the daring stunt work, including that trademark 'jump on the horse team and go under the stagecoach' trick, simply remarkable if you consider the timing and logistics involved. His fellow baddies include a comedic pair of stage drivers also working for Kincaid, Bert and Elmer (Al St. John and Heinie Conklin). It would be a few years before Al becomes 'Fuzzy'.
Modern day viewers might be left scratching their head over a line spoken by Wayne's character early in the film. When he discovers sheriff Bill Baxter wandering in the desert with a bullet wound, he tends him while adding - "I'll have you in Starbucks before night".
A lot has been debated over who the singer was who dubbed Wayne's voice in this movie and "The Man From Utah". A couple reviewers on this board credit old time band leader and crooner Smith Ballew, although Ballew himself denied it consistently until he passed away. The odds on favorite seems to be Bill Bradbury, son of director Robert North Bradbury, and twin brother of another era cowboy star, Bob Steele. Bill had a fine baritone voice, and used his talent to make some extra money while going to medical school. For anyone who cares to learn more about the controversy, check out the following page - http://www.b-westerns.com/jwayne1.htm.
You'll have to scroll down to the bottom part of the page, and it's a good read.
Anyway, for old time Western fans, "Riders of Destiny" is as good a place as any to see how John Wayne learned his craft. Hard to believe that by the time he made his breakout film "Stagecoach" to become an overnight success, he already had fifty one movies to his credit! Only one question remains though while watching 'Riders' - where were all those geese hanging out when there wasn't any water around?