This film was a pretty entertaining film and being a B-film, it was over in under one hour. In other words, it accomplished its modest goals just fine. While this means that compared to other, A-films, the movie might seem awfully simplistic, it was simply meant as a second film on a double-bill. These second features were often made by lesser-name studios and featured lower budgets and actors/directors/writers who hadn't yet established themselves in Hollywood or couldn't make the jump to the higher-level films--hence, the name "B-Movie". For years, John Wayne did many Bs and this one is certainly better than most (such as his "Singing Sandy" and "Three Mesquiteers" films). It gets the job done and the acting, for Bs, is very good. By the way, the role of the Major was played by George Hayes--that's "Gabby" Hayes and wow does he look and sound different playing a more serious role!
10 Reviews
Bigger Cast...Bigger Budget!
bsmith555227 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"The Lawless Nineties" was one of the first films released by Republic Pictures following their formation in 1935. It encompassed the amalgamation of several poverty row studios including Trem Carr's Lone Star Westerns unit which had been home to John Wayne since 1933.
The story set in the 1890s, has to do with the upcoming vote to makee Wyoming a state within the Union. Certain lawless groups are against statehood and are driving out the pro state settlers. Federal agents John TIpton (Wayne) and Bridger (Lane Chandler) are sent to clean things up.
On the way Tipton saves News Editor Major Carter (George Hayes), his daughter Janet (Ann Rutherford) and driver Moses (Snowflake) from an attack by the outlaws. Carter takes over the local paper and promises to mount a campaign against the lawlessness. Staunch citizen Plummer (Harry Woods) pledges his support (uh oh). He warns Carter to tone down his editorials or something might happen.
Bridger is murdered by the outlaw gang but Tipton is not able to acknowledge him. Things get worse when Major Carter is gunned down and dies. Janet, now with Tipton's support vows to continue running the newspaper. At the climax. with much larger groups of extras than normal, Tipton with his group of federal men charge the town blocked off by Plummer and his men and......................................................
This film has a who's who of "B" western bad guys. Look for Al Bridge, Cliff Lyons, Charlie King, George Chesebro, Tom London Steve Clark, Bud Osborne and Lloyd Ingraham. interestingly enough there is a romance between two black characters, Snowflake and Etta McDaniel, unusual for any movie of the time.
In the part of Major Carter, George Hayes looked and acted more like his off screen self than I had ever seen. Except for the handle bar mustache, he was clean shaven and articulate as he was in real life. The following year he would saddle up with Hopalong Cassidy as "Windy" followed in 1939 with a move to Republic where he became "Gabby".
The story set in the 1890s, has to do with the upcoming vote to makee Wyoming a state within the Union. Certain lawless groups are against statehood and are driving out the pro state settlers. Federal agents John TIpton (Wayne) and Bridger (Lane Chandler) are sent to clean things up.
On the way Tipton saves News Editor Major Carter (George Hayes), his daughter Janet (Ann Rutherford) and driver Moses (Snowflake) from an attack by the outlaws. Carter takes over the local paper and promises to mount a campaign against the lawlessness. Staunch citizen Plummer (Harry Woods) pledges his support (uh oh). He warns Carter to tone down his editorials or something might happen.
Bridger is murdered by the outlaw gang but Tipton is not able to acknowledge him. Things get worse when Major Carter is gunned down and dies. Janet, now with Tipton's support vows to continue running the newspaper. At the climax. with much larger groups of extras than normal, Tipton with his group of federal men charge the town blocked off by Plummer and his men and......................................................
This film has a who's who of "B" western bad guys. Look for Al Bridge, Cliff Lyons, Charlie King, George Chesebro, Tom London Steve Clark, Bud Osborne and Lloyd Ingraham. interestingly enough there is a romance between two black characters, Snowflake and Etta McDaniel, unusual for any movie of the time.
In the part of Major Carter, George Hayes looked and acted more like his off screen self than I had ever seen. Except for the handle bar mustache, he was clean shaven and articulate as he was in real life. The following year he would saddle up with Hopalong Cassidy as "Windy" followed in 1939 with a move to Republic where he became "Gabby".
A better print would rate at least 7!
JohnHowardReid12 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Yakima Canutt (stunt double for John Wayne). Director: JOSEPH KANE. Screenplay: Joseph Poland. Original screen story: Joseph Poland, Scott Pembroke. Photography: William Nobles. Supervising film editors: Joseph H. Lewis, Murray Seldeen. Film editor: Lester Orlebeck. Stock music by Heinz Roemheld and Arthur Kay, directed by Lee Zahler. Stunts: Cliff Lyons. Assistant director: Robert Emmett Tansey. Sound engineer: Terry Kellum. Associate producer: Paul Malvern. Producer: Trem Carr. Executive producer: Herbert J. Yates.
Copyright 27 April 1936 by Republic Pictures Corp. New York opening at the Rialto: 26 June 1936. U.S. release: 15 February 1936. U.K. release through British Lion: August 1936. 6 reels. 58 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Lawless elements try to prevent Wyoming joining the Union.
COMMENT: This one and Santa Fe Stampede were the only Wayne "B" westerns to be reviewed by The New York Times. Certainly this one has some claim to such attention. On the surface at least it's rather lavishly mounted, though some of the spectacular action footage doesn't bear too close attention. Most of it is obviously stock material which has been spliced in somewhat randomly whether the moment was appropriate or not, or even whether the footage quite matched its description or not. This is why we have Lewis as supervising editor. Still for unsophisticated audiences the effect must have been quite exciting. It certainly makes for a more lively outing than the usual Wayne "B". Moreover director Kane has risen to the occasion with some slightly more imaginative directorial touches than was his norm, assisted by some fine stunt-work and even what looks like genuine night-for-night photography by William Nobles. (It's not that easy to tell. The video print under review is dupey and washed out. It's from the Republic Pictures Collection too, with a claim on the box: "Mastered from original film negatives." I disagree! My guess is that it's a dupe from a primitive television print complete with tinny 16mm sound. If this has been mastered from original 35mm negatives, someone sure did a real lousy job).
The support cast is lavishly appointed too, with no fewer than four of our all-time favorite villains - and all with some good opportunities for nastiness too. Wayne shoots a pistol out of King's hand, Chesebro picks a fight with our hero, Bridge leads the marauders while Woods directs operations. Tom London is on hand to back up Chesebro too, and it's good to see Jack Rockwell back on the right side of the law. We will pass over the somewhat labored comic relief provided by Etta McDaniel and Snowflake, and even the relaxed, almost agreeably perky heroine enacted by Ann Rutherford to concentrate our remaining attention on George Hayes. He's good. We love him. This time he gives a startlingly accurate Walter Huston impersonation, not just in make-up, but right down to the very timbre of his voice. It suits and matches the role so perfectly that casual picturegoers may well have marveled what Huston was doing in a "B" western. It's interesting that although Hayes had introduced his "Gabby" old-timer in The Lucky Texan back in 1933, he is still playing other character roles at this stage of his career. (Another interesting career note is that Lane Chandler who played Wayne's buddy in Sagebrush Trail (1933) has a similar but very considerably smaller part here).
OTHER VIEWS: Produced on a far more lavish scale than the usual western "B", this is lively, exciting fare with plenty of action and even some good acting - particularly from George Hayes as a crusading newspaper publisher. This is a stock role, but Hayes plays it not only with conviction but with unexpected dignity and restraint.
SYNOPSIS: Lawless elements try to prevent Wyoming joining the Union.
COMMENT: This one and Santa Fe Stampede were the only Wayne "B" westerns to be reviewed by The New York Times. Certainly this one has some claim to such attention. On the surface at least it's rather lavishly mounted, though some of the spectacular action footage doesn't bear too close attention. Most of it is obviously stock material which has been spliced in somewhat randomly whether the moment was appropriate or not, or even whether the footage quite matched its description or not. This is why we have Lewis as supervising editor. Still for unsophisticated audiences the effect must have been quite exciting. It certainly makes for a more lively outing than the usual Wayne "B". Moreover director Kane has risen to the occasion with some slightly more imaginative directorial touches than was his norm, assisted by some fine stunt-work and even what looks like genuine night-for-night photography by William Nobles. (It's not that easy to tell. The video print under review is dupey and washed out. It's from the Republic Pictures Collection too, with a claim on the box: "Mastered from original film negatives." I disagree! My guess is that it's a dupe from a primitive television print complete with tinny 16mm sound. If this has been mastered from original 35mm negatives, someone sure did a real lousy job).
The support cast is lavishly appointed too, with no fewer than four of our all-time favorite villains - and all with some good opportunities for nastiness too. Wayne shoots a pistol out of King's hand, Chesebro picks a fight with our hero, Bridge leads the marauders while Woods directs operations. Tom London is on hand to back up Chesebro too, and it's good to see Jack Rockwell back on the right side of the law. We will pass over the somewhat labored comic relief provided by Etta McDaniel and Snowflake, and even the relaxed, almost agreeably perky heroine enacted by Ann Rutherford to concentrate our remaining attention on George Hayes. He's good. We love him. This time he gives a startlingly accurate Walter Huston impersonation, not just in make-up, but right down to the very timbre of his voice. It suits and matches the role so perfectly that casual picturegoers may well have marveled what Huston was doing in a "B" western. It's interesting that although Hayes had introduced his "Gabby" old-timer in The Lucky Texan back in 1933, he is still playing other character roles at this stage of his career. (Another interesting career note is that Lane Chandler who played Wayne's buddy in Sagebrush Trail (1933) has a similar but very considerably smaller part here).
OTHER VIEWS: Produced on a far more lavish scale than the usual western "B", this is lively, exciting fare with plenty of action and even some good acting - particularly from George Hayes as a crusading newspaper publisher. This is a stock role, but Hayes plays it not only with conviction but with unexpected dignity and restraint.
This flick speaks to the Real Life Election of 2016 . . .
oscaralbert6 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
. . . as John Wayne shows us that American Law and the U.S. Constitution are not worth the paper on which they're written if one or two Rich People decide to thwart Democracy. In the LAWLESS NINETIES, fabulously wealthy crime-lord Charles K. Plummer is almost as Rich as Donald J. Trump. Plummer can hire scads of gunmen to blockade all of Wyoming's polling places, just as Trump was able to buy all the American media to spread his bizarre "Birther" nonsense, as well as to sound out all of Obama's Electoral College Enrollees to see how much it would take to switch their vote. Now Trump has bribed hundreds of FBI agents to knock off the Democratic nominee, just as Plummer has John Wayne kidnapped and marked for assassination in LAWLESS. Like the citizens of Crockett City, WY, I've heard some of my neighbors recently wondering, "If we cannot trust Rich People, on whom can we rely?" This, of course, paraphrases one of the last entries in Anne Frank's Diary (though she referred to either Germans or Christians, but may as well have written "Rich Nazis"). As young John Wayne could tell you, do NOT expect a Plummer to unclog your Trump Pump.
Wyoming Statehood
bkoganbing27 January 2007
The year is 1890 and Wyoming would like to be a state, but certain lawless elements want to keep it a territory. There will be a plebiscite to decide the issue and the outlaws are going to win this thing by hook or crook. There's redundancy if I've ever written one.
The Lawless Nineties has John Wayne as a 'government man' one of several sent in to the territory to see the elections are run fair and square. With maybe more than a little leaning on the side of the homesteaders and small ranchers and merchants who want statehood.
There actually is some historical basis for this. In this year, the president of the United States is Republican Benjamin Harrison and he's got a Congress with his party controlling both houses. Because of that six states get admitted in his four years as president, Wyoming being one of them the others being Idaho, Montana, Washington, and North and South Dakota. The idea was very simple, the territories were Republican leaning for the most part and would furnish representation in Congress to keep his party in power.
I'm assuming that the Duke as a 'government man' was working for the Department of Justice and oddly enough the film anticipates by about thirty years the Justice Department performing just such an electoral function that they did in the South after the Voting Rights Act was passed.
It's a novel and interesting premise for a western and another thing I thought was unique was the outlaw's use of early electronic surveillance to find out what the federal government's plans were and take steps to foil them. Of course there is no radio and the use of the telephone was not common yet in the west. We're talking here about the telegraph and Wayne does figure it out.
But sad to say that The Lawless Nineties is spoiled by the use of Etta McDaniel and Fred Toone as some black stereotypes, really, really bad ones. Sadder still because there was no need to bring them in, the racial issue just wasn't germane to the plot.
It's been twenty five years since the end of the Civil War and Toone and McDaniel act like Gabby Hayes and Ann Rutherford as a father and daughter resettled from Virginia still own them. Gabby is far from the grizzled, hairy old cuss we love. He's got a handlebar mustache and a clipped goatee and speaks in cultured upper class Southern tones. Not what we normally get from Gabby.
The action is good in The Lawless Nineties and I only wish that Republic hadn't seen the need to include McDaniel and Toone in the film.
The Lawless Nineties has John Wayne as a 'government man' one of several sent in to the territory to see the elections are run fair and square. With maybe more than a little leaning on the side of the homesteaders and small ranchers and merchants who want statehood.
There actually is some historical basis for this. In this year, the president of the United States is Republican Benjamin Harrison and he's got a Congress with his party controlling both houses. Because of that six states get admitted in his four years as president, Wyoming being one of them the others being Idaho, Montana, Washington, and North and South Dakota. The idea was very simple, the territories were Republican leaning for the most part and would furnish representation in Congress to keep his party in power.
I'm assuming that the Duke as a 'government man' was working for the Department of Justice and oddly enough the film anticipates by about thirty years the Justice Department performing just such an electoral function that they did in the South after the Voting Rights Act was passed.
It's a novel and interesting premise for a western and another thing I thought was unique was the outlaw's use of early electronic surveillance to find out what the federal government's plans were and take steps to foil them. Of course there is no radio and the use of the telephone was not common yet in the west. We're talking here about the telegraph and Wayne does figure it out.
But sad to say that The Lawless Nineties is spoiled by the use of Etta McDaniel and Fred Toone as some black stereotypes, really, really bad ones. Sadder still because there was no need to bring them in, the racial issue just wasn't germane to the plot.
It's been twenty five years since the end of the Civil War and Toone and McDaniel act like Gabby Hayes and Ann Rutherford as a father and daughter resettled from Virginia still own them. Gabby is far from the grizzled, hairy old cuss we love. He's got a handlebar mustache and a clipped goatee and speaks in cultured upper class Southern tones. Not what we normally get from Gabby.
The action is good in The Lawless Nineties and I only wish that Republic hadn't seen the need to include McDaniel and Toone in the film.
'Bleeding' Wyoming needs Wayne to keep the polls for statehood fair
weezeralfalfa16 June 2018
Good golly, Miss Molly!1890 Wyoming is pictured as more violent than 'bleeding' Kansas. Looks like the outlaws may outnumber the law-abiding citizens, burning them out to make them leave, and turning prospective residents away at the borders. It's looking like Wyoming is well on the way to being populated by only terrorists and other miscreants! I hope you don't take this as a history lesson! The real Wyoming was nothing like this, but this image provides the setting for an exciting John Wayne western. Of course, there are shootings, horse chases, and fist fights, and the occasional stick of dynamite........The man behind much of the violence is one Charles Plummer(Harry Woods) who, ironically, masquerades as the Chairman of the Committee on Law and Order!! His 'field general', who actually supervises misdeeds, is Steele(Al Bridge). In contrast to Plummer, he actually looks like an archetypical outlaw.........Having heard of the situation, an official of the U.S. Justice Department sends John Wayne and his friend Bridger (Lane Chandler) to investigate and do what they can to minimize the influence of the criminal element in the coming referendum to determine if residents want Wyoming to become a state. This official claims that if it becomes a state, the criminal element will virtually vanish.(Maybe)........George 'Gabby' Hays, as Major Carter, back in Virginia, for some strange reason, got exciting about the situation in Wyoming, and decided to buy the Crocket City Blaze(newspaper), and become it's editor, espousing the advantages of statehood. His eligible daughter, Janet(Ann Rutherford), came along with him to assist him. Besides, the male/female ratio there was much more favorable. Of course, she eventually becomes Wayne's love interest, despite an abrasive introduction. Plummer warns Carter that the last editor was shot dead in his office. But, this doesn't dissuade Carter from printing inflammatory editorials.....To provide a bit of comic relief, 2 African Americans are included: 'Snowflake' Toones, as Moses, arrived as the driver of the buggy carrying the Carters from Virginia. He will continue to serve them. Etta McDaniel, sister of the Oscar winning Hattie McDaniel, plays Mandy Lou: a domestic, who occasionally has a conversation with Moses, as the only 2 African Americans in the community. Moses provides the comic looks and dialogue. Some of you may not appreciate the racial stereotypes...... As often happens in westerns, the damsel loses her significant other, often her father, thus symbolically, this opens wider the door for a new significant other(the hero).......Don't expect to find George Hays in his mode as a grizzled, charismatic, sidekick. As in some other of his early film roles, here he keeps his teeth, providing no hint of his speech manner as Gabby. Here, he's a refined gentleman of letters, with no time for foolishness... See it at YouTube.!
Moderately enjoyable Union oater
shakercoola2 May 2022
An American Western; A story set in the 1890s about a Federal agent who travels to Wyoming territory to supervise the vote on statehood where he faces danger from the leader of an insurgency who is out to make sure the vote fails by terrorising the populace. With a general theme about the democratic vote being mightier than the gun, this is a fair production with some intrigue and good pacing. John Wayne plays the lead role in a commanding way, dealing out the medicine to the night-riding vigilantes and guerillas; George 'Gabby' Hayes as the respectable newspaper proprietor lends some poignant moments and Harry Woods is suitably cunning and deceitful. While their roles are very stereotypical Fred Toones and Etta McDaniel have great presence when they appear. The story is slight but reasonable for a short feature and tension builds quite well before diplomacy and duplicity gives way to a noisy shootout finale. And an amusingly rapid tying up of loose ends in epilogue.
Wayne for Wyoming
frank41226 May 2019
John Wayne as a government man aims to bring free elections to Wyoming with the help of Lane Chandler. Who had star power of his own and a stalwart of television Westerns. Harry Woods did an admirable job as the Chairman of the Committee of Law and Order but behind the scenes is up to some dirty deeds. Hard to believe that the clean shaven newspaper man is actually Gabby Hayes. His daughter the beautiful Ann Rutherford was outstanding as the newspaper lady fighting for voting rights. In another irony, she was not actually allowed to vote until years later. Although they played lesser roles it was great to see 'Snowflake' Toones, a standard bearer for Republic and Etta McDaniel.The Lawless Nineties is another fine western from Republic Pictures.
The lawless nineties
coltras3513 February 2022
Federal agent John Tipton heads for Wyoming to supervise the vote on whether to join the Union. One group of locals is using dynamite to terrorize the populace and a local newspaper editor is killed.
Better production values, an interesting story and of course John Wayne lifts this above average. It's entertaining and has a seamless pace, though the two African-American characters didn't seem to add much to the story; they were there for comic relief I guess.
Better production values, an interesting story and of course John Wayne lifts this above average. It's entertaining and has a seamless pace, though the two African-American characters didn't seem to add much to the story; they were there for comic relief I guess.
Cast alone deserves a 12; script and direction another 10
morrisonhimself22 May 2019
Marred slightly by rear-screen projection and stock footage, "The Lawless Nineties" still rates very high for its superior cast, starring John Wayne, and script and directing by Joseph Kane.
There is only a little historical accuracy here, but that is irrelevant in this exciting production, made even more exciting by the usual excellent stunt work by the greats Yakima Canutt and Cliff Lyons.
Just one example of superlative acting is provided in a scene where Etta McDaniel is holding a broom, standing at the back of a meeting room. Right next to the spittoon.
One of the meeting attenders turns around to spit, and she watches carefully. And in turn she needs to be watched carefully, she and the spitter.
The expression on her face is priceless.She was a marvelous actress, and part of the famous acting family that included her more famous sister Hattie and her brother Sam.
All up and down the list of players is quality, including the prolific Tom London and the great villain Charles King.
Some other reviewers must not really know much about the history of B Westerns since they kept expressing surprise at the appearance of George W. Hayes as the editor, called usually "Major" Carter but at least once "Colonel" Carter.
His daughter is played by the adorable Ann Rutherford.
There is a good print at YouTube, apparently recorded from a presentation by AMC. I highly recommend "The Lawless Nineties."
There is only a little historical accuracy here, but that is irrelevant in this exciting production, made even more exciting by the usual excellent stunt work by the greats Yakima Canutt and Cliff Lyons.
Just one example of superlative acting is provided in a scene where Etta McDaniel is holding a broom, standing at the back of a meeting room. Right next to the spittoon.
One of the meeting attenders turns around to spit, and she watches carefully. And in turn she needs to be watched carefully, she and the spitter.
The expression on her face is priceless.She was a marvelous actress, and part of the famous acting family that included her more famous sister Hattie and her brother Sam.
All up and down the list of players is quality, including the prolific Tom London and the great villain Charles King.
Some other reviewers must not really know much about the history of B Westerns since they kept expressing surprise at the appearance of George W. Hayes as the editor, called usually "Major" Carter but at least once "Colonel" Carter.
His daughter is played by the adorable Ann Rutherford.
There is a good print at YouTube, apparently recorded from a presentation by AMC. I highly recommend "The Lawless Nineties."
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