Copyright 27 June 1939 by Republic Pictures Corp. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 27 June 1939. U.K. release in 1940 through British Lion. Never released theatrically in Australia. 6 reels. 62 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: The mesquiteers meet up with a dust-bowl family impoverished by a local politician.
NOTES: Number 24 of the 52-picture series.
COMMENT: An interesting precursor to several later films. The dust-bowl setting reminds us of Wayne's Three Faces West, whilst the climax with the outlaw trapped on the hilltop by the posse, as reporters cover the story, is very reminiscent of High Sierra.
The story in fact is not only very unusual by "B" western standards, but it provides some uncommonly bright opportunities for solid acting. Donald "Red" Barry is particularly memorable as the hard-luck outlaw. Also giving the best performance of his entire career is Charles Middleton, forsaking his normally stiff and heavy-handed mannerisms, to pen a searing sketch of an honest man, hard done by yet scrupulously resigned to his fate. Adele Pearce, a startlingly realistic heroine, makes the most of her opportunities; whilst Wayne has not one but two all-in fist fights, the first with his old nemesis Yakima Canutt (in which, aside from a single shot, both men do all their own tussling), the second with chief villain LeRoy Mason. David Sharpe is oddly miscast in the role of a bartender, but it's good to see Elmo Lincoln (the screen's first Tarzan) as the marshal.
The story synopsis in the studio press book is the same as the script as filmed - with one notable exception. Wayne was originally to pursue and best the villain. Doubtless for economy reasons a different ending was used, the villain disposed of in a most uncommon manner, leading into a somewhat abrupt riding-off farewell.
Although the production credits have been removed from the TV print under review, there is certainly nothing for anyone to be ashamed of in this creditable entry, which was actually filmed after Wayne's huge success in Stagecoach. It's certainly odd to find Wayne still being cast in a "B", though he has the lion's share of the action. Both Corrigan and Hatton (replacing ventriloquist Max Terhune who retired from the series after the previous "Three Mesquiteers", namely Three Texas Steers) are obligated to provide no more than perfunctory support. Wayne does all the fighting as well as all the thinking.
SYNOPSIS: The mesquiteers meet up with a dust-bowl family impoverished by a local politician.
NOTES: Number 24 of the 52-picture series.
COMMENT: An interesting precursor to several later films. The dust-bowl setting reminds us of Wayne's Three Faces West, whilst the climax with the outlaw trapped on the hilltop by the posse, as reporters cover the story, is very reminiscent of High Sierra.
The story in fact is not only very unusual by "B" western standards, but it provides some uncommonly bright opportunities for solid acting. Donald "Red" Barry is particularly memorable as the hard-luck outlaw. Also giving the best performance of his entire career is Charles Middleton, forsaking his normally stiff and heavy-handed mannerisms, to pen a searing sketch of an honest man, hard done by yet scrupulously resigned to his fate. Adele Pearce, a startlingly realistic heroine, makes the most of her opportunities; whilst Wayne has not one but two all-in fist fights, the first with his old nemesis Yakima Canutt (in which, aside from a single shot, both men do all their own tussling), the second with chief villain LeRoy Mason. David Sharpe is oddly miscast in the role of a bartender, but it's good to see Elmo Lincoln (the screen's first Tarzan) as the marshal.
The story synopsis in the studio press book is the same as the script as filmed - with one notable exception. Wayne was originally to pursue and best the villain. Doubtless for economy reasons a different ending was used, the villain disposed of in a most uncommon manner, leading into a somewhat abrupt riding-off farewell.
Although the production credits have been removed from the TV print under review, there is certainly nothing for anyone to be ashamed of in this creditable entry, which was actually filmed after Wayne's huge success in Stagecoach. It's certainly odd to find Wayne still being cast in a "B", though he has the lion's share of the action. Both Corrigan and Hatton (replacing ventriloquist Max Terhune who retired from the series after the previous "Three Mesquiteers", namely Three Texas Steers) are obligated to provide no more than perfunctory support. Wayne does all the fighting as well as all the thinking.