For those who have watched John Wayne's 16 'Lone Star' westerns (1933-1935) (so cheaply available everywhere on DVD), this film is a major change in many ways. First, 'Lone Star' (Paul Malvern) has now become a part of the new Republic Pictures. Second, we now have a full length music sound track mostly timed to the on screen activity. Third, we get rear projection, so we don't always see John Wayne and the other players actually on the stagecoaches they are supposed to be handling. Fourth, we get an improved budget and new script writers, with the plot encompassing a far greater scope than any of the previous 'Lone Star' films. As the opening titles declare, this is a historical western with its theme the development of the West. It's an early Republic "American Spirit" film. Fifth, by this point in time the technology of film making, including sound reproduction, had significantly improved. The only thing that remains the same is the disconnect between the title of the film and what it is actually about.
In this case, John Wayne (John Blair) and his Pony Express buddy Lane Chandler (Larry Adams) get tricked into buying a ghost town, Crescent City, which they magically transform into a thriving one in only a few days! Apparently, the same day Blair gets workers to go to Crescent City to help build the telegraph, it also suddenly becomes a rebuilt town complete with restored store fronts, new homes, and a Chinese laundry (with racist stereotypes and music).
Forget the shootouts, chases, fights and the spectacular stunts of the Mighty Yak (Yakima Canutt) that were the core of so many of the 'Lone Star' films. This one is now like a real motion picture complete with characters and a bigger theme. Unfortunately, despite the other comments posted, this one is too pedestrian.
There's not enough interplay between Blair and 'the girl' (here played by Ginger Roger's look alike cousin, Phyllis Cerf -- Bennett Cerf's wife). See, by contrast, 'Texas Terror' (1935) with its love triangle, or 'The Desert Trail' (1935) with a horny John Wayne, or even 'The Dawn Rider' (1935).
Frankly, the stagecoach race isn't all that edge of your seat. Most of it is cutting between shots of single coaches not next to each other. You can find a more exciting chase sequence in 'Blue Steel' (1934).
The comic old timer / low comic sidekick part (later played in other westerns by Al. St John, Fuzzy Knight, Max Terhune among countless others)adds idiotic contrast to the main action, and in fact, as another indication of what is to come in junk westerns, ends the film. (Let's not put Gabby Hayes, Andy Clyde, Smiley Burnett, Andy Devine and Leo Carillo in the former group, since they were more highly skilled performers and were the top sidekicks.)
Some character building interplay is off stage. Lane Chandler's getting shot, being attended to and his surviving successful life saving surgery are played entirely off stage, and thus too quickly and glibly treated to be believable. A longer film would have really developed John Wayne's relationship with him (i.e., actually showing these scenes), as in their equal screen time pairing in the best 'Lone Star' western 'Sagebrush Trail' (1933). Poor Lane Chandler and his sky rocketing decline from silent movie hero to sidekick to bit player to uncredited. He was in over 400 TV shows, movies and serials (including appearances in all three 'Flash Gordon' serials)! Apparently, he was laughing all the way to the bank, as he became rich.
The best part is John Wayne himself. Huskier, older, and even more charming than in his earlier films. What a fast draw on the villain!
But finally we have to say that even though movies have transitioned from the pre-code any thing goes early thirties to more sophisticated techniques and technology in film making, this one disappoints. It doesn't stand out. It's in the category of post-1934 'streamlining' of the western. I'd give it a 4 and a half. If you want a real movie, watch 'Stagecoach' (1939) to see John Wayne in a full blown Movie Type Movie.
In this case, John Wayne (John Blair) and his Pony Express buddy Lane Chandler (Larry Adams) get tricked into buying a ghost town, Crescent City, which they magically transform into a thriving one in only a few days! Apparently, the same day Blair gets workers to go to Crescent City to help build the telegraph, it also suddenly becomes a rebuilt town complete with restored store fronts, new homes, and a Chinese laundry (with racist stereotypes and music).
Forget the shootouts, chases, fights and the spectacular stunts of the Mighty Yak (Yakima Canutt) that were the core of so many of the 'Lone Star' films. This one is now like a real motion picture complete with characters and a bigger theme. Unfortunately, despite the other comments posted, this one is too pedestrian.
There's not enough interplay between Blair and 'the girl' (here played by Ginger Roger's look alike cousin, Phyllis Cerf -- Bennett Cerf's wife). See, by contrast, 'Texas Terror' (1935) with its love triangle, or 'The Desert Trail' (1935) with a horny John Wayne, or even 'The Dawn Rider' (1935).
Frankly, the stagecoach race isn't all that edge of your seat. Most of it is cutting between shots of single coaches not next to each other. You can find a more exciting chase sequence in 'Blue Steel' (1934).
The comic old timer / low comic sidekick part (later played in other westerns by Al. St John, Fuzzy Knight, Max Terhune among countless others)adds idiotic contrast to the main action, and in fact, as another indication of what is to come in junk westerns, ends the film. (Let's not put Gabby Hayes, Andy Clyde, Smiley Burnett, Andy Devine and Leo Carillo in the former group, since they were more highly skilled performers and were the top sidekicks.)
Some character building interplay is off stage. Lane Chandler's getting shot, being attended to and his surviving successful life saving surgery are played entirely off stage, and thus too quickly and glibly treated to be believable. A longer film would have really developed John Wayne's relationship with him (i.e., actually showing these scenes), as in their equal screen time pairing in the best 'Lone Star' western 'Sagebrush Trail' (1933). Poor Lane Chandler and his sky rocketing decline from silent movie hero to sidekick to bit player to uncredited. He was in over 400 TV shows, movies and serials (including appearances in all three 'Flash Gordon' serials)! Apparently, he was laughing all the way to the bank, as he became rich.
The best part is John Wayne himself. Huskier, older, and even more charming than in his earlier films. What a fast draw on the villain!
But finally we have to say that even though movies have transitioned from the pre-code any thing goes early thirties to more sophisticated techniques and technology in film making, this one disappoints. It doesn't stand out. It's in the category of post-1934 'streamlining' of the western. I'd give it a 4 and a half. If you want a real movie, watch 'Stagecoach' (1939) to see John Wayne in a full blown Movie Type Movie.