Someone once said the only good thing Lone Star ever did was to keep John Wayne employed during the thirties but I disagree heartily. My favourite John Wayne westerns are Lone Stars. I thought I would watch this movie today as a tribute to Shirley Jean Rickert, who died recently. Although she was in a couple of Little Rascal shorts, her main claim to fame was as Tomboy Taylor in the Mickey McGuire shorts. These shorts were similar to Our Gang and were made around the same time (late 20s to early 30s) but benefited enormously from having Mickey Rooney in the title role. "'Neath the Arizona Skies" was one of the very few credited parts in feature films that Shirley played in.
When oil is found on Indian land, Chris Morrell (John Wayne) is sent to try to locate Nina's (Shirley Jean Rickert, playing a part Indian child) father so they can inherit the $50,000 payment. Of course the bad guys, led by Sam Black (Yakima Canutt) are hot on his trail and determined to kidnap the little girl. As with all Lone Stars, there is plenty of action, roping, stampeding, shoot outs etc.
Nina is sent to a house Chris thinks will be safe but when she gets there although it has been taken over, Matt (Gabby Hayes) the cook, takes her under his wing and protects her. Meanwhile Chris is mistaken for a bank robber. The real robber fleeing the scene comes across Chris who has passed out from fatigue and changes shirts!!! Clara finds Chris and realises he was her dead brother's best friend. Unfortunately her other brother, Jim, is the real robber. This plot, strangely goes nowhere. Tom, Nina's real father, appears on the scene and while in the past he has been a ne'er do well, he now joins forces with Chris to protect his little daughter.
She may not have had many credited parts but Shirley was an important part of this film. It must have been a memorable movie for her - she rode horses, rode in rivers, was in the middle of a shoot out!!! She must have had grand fun!!!
Recommended.
When oil is found on Indian land, Chris Morrell (John Wayne) is sent to try to locate Nina's (Shirley Jean Rickert, playing a part Indian child) father so they can inherit the $50,000 payment. Of course the bad guys, led by Sam Black (Yakima Canutt) are hot on his trail and determined to kidnap the little girl. As with all Lone Stars, there is plenty of action, roping, stampeding, shoot outs etc.
Nina is sent to a house Chris thinks will be safe but when she gets there although it has been taken over, Matt (Gabby Hayes) the cook, takes her under his wing and protects her. Meanwhile Chris is mistaken for a bank robber. The real robber fleeing the scene comes across Chris who has passed out from fatigue and changes shirts!!! Clara finds Chris and realises he was her dead brother's best friend. Unfortunately her other brother, Jim, is the real robber. This plot, strangely goes nowhere. Tom, Nina's real father, appears on the scene and while in the past he has been a ne'er do well, he now joins forces with Chris to protect his little daughter.
She may not have had many credited parts but Shirley was an important part of this film. It must have been a memorable movie for her - she rode horses, rode in rivers, was in the middle of a shoot out!!! She must have had grand fun!!!
Recommended.