Don't be deceived by the re-issue poster which prominently features George "Gabby" Hayes (sic). Oh, Hayes is in the movie all right. In fact, he plays two key roles, but neither is a "Gabby". One is the very reverse – a mute who writes copious notes on scraps of paper. You won't recognize the other "Gabby" either. Nevertheless, Hayes is excellent in both roles, and part of the reason for wanting to see this film is to enjoy George Hayes's dual, offbeat performances. John Wayne fans, however, are going to be a bit disappointed. True, he's in good form but, despite the fact that he's playing the title character, he isn't in the film for long stretches. Therefore, as you might expect, there's not a great deal of action and what there is – a couple of chases from fixed camera positions and a tame fist fight with Yak Canutt – is not all that inspiring, thanks to Harry Fraser's dull direction. Even the locations fail to impress – aside from the waterfall into which Yak, doubling for Wayne, does a spectacular dive! Still the story and its characters are mildly intriguing – and everyone remembers the chilling and really weird opening sequence. In fact, this is the most effective scene in the movie. The heroine is a bit of a write-off – and she has a large part too! Aside from Hayes, and perhaps Canutt, the support cast is totally uninteresting. However, all in all, although not one of Wayne's most exciting Lone Stars, "Randy Rides Alone" does have its points of appeal.
Review of Randy Rides Alone
