THE DESERT TRAIL (Lone Star Presentation for Monogram Pictures, 1935), directed by Cullen Lewis, ranks one of the more enjoyable quickie westerns starring John Wayne. While Wayne had played a rodeo rider and has been a cowboy accused of a crime before, this one is no different yet much better due to added comedy thrown in. Cast as another John character, as a welcome change of pace Wayne breaks away from his lone cowboy role to someone traveling about with a close friend (Eddy Chandler) both having their eyes for the ladies and becoming friendly rivals for their affections. Regardless of their pranks to one another, they retain their true friendship status, especially when trouble is concerned.
The story opens on a stagecoach with John Scott (John Wayne) and his friend, "Kansas" Charlie (Eddy Chandler), gamblers having been run out of town heading for another. Because of his trouble with women, Charlie intends of being "deaf and dumb" to them until Juanita Modero (Carmen Laroux) comes on board at the stage depot, by which both men vie for her affection. Coming to the next town of Raddlesnake Gulch, John participates in a rodeo, but learns from Charlie that he and all the other riders are being cheated of their prize money, getting 25 cents on the dollar. John goes to the rodeo office demanding Farnsworth (Henry Hall) give him his $900 due him. When refused, John holds Farnsworth at gunpoint while Charlie goes to the safe to take the money owed him and depart. After leaving the office, gun shots are heard and Farnsworth is found dead. Witnesses Pete (Al Ferguson) and Jim (Paul Fix) expose John and Charley as the last men to see Farnsworth alive, leaving the sheriff and his posse to go after them. After having their bank roll stolen and learning the real killers have gone to Poker City, John and Charley, assuming new identities as John Jones and the Reverend Harry Smith, follow them there to clear their names. In the process, both men become interested in a girl named Anne (Mary Kornmann), whose brother may know something regarding both the Farnsworth murder and the recent stagecoach holdup for which John and Charlie are accused. Featuring Lafe McKee, Frank Ball and Wally West in smaller roles.
THE DESERT TRAIL starts off amusingly well with fine comedy exchanges between Wayne and Chandler. Though playing like two different movies for the price of one, the results are completely satisfying. The title doesn't seem to fit the story until later it is revealed that "The Desert Trail" is the path both John and Charlie need to follow to locate the killers. With no underscoring except for the opening and closing credits, THE DESERT TRAIL shows it doesn't need any. Beware of latter restored prints with inappropriate/intrusive scoring and some others that have been colorized that takes away from the enjoyment of the story. Although a poverty-row western, the acting is quite good and scripting and pacing satisfactory.
Available on both video cassette and DVD process, THE DESERT TRAIL enjoyed frequent television revivals and discovery on public television during the 1990s, but to date, no known broadcasts either on the former American Movie Classics nor Turner Classic Movies cable channel, but has turned up occasionally either on Enore Westerns Channel or MGM Plus. (**1/2).
The story opens on a stagecoach with John Scott (John Wayne) and his friend, "Kansas" Charlie (Eddy Chandler), gamblers having been run out of town heading for another. Because of his trouble with women, Charlie intends of being "deaf and dumb" to them until Juanita Modero (Carmen Laroux) comes on board at the stage depot, by which both men vie for her affection. Coming to the next town of Raddlesnake Gulch, John participates in a rodeo, but learns from Charlie that he and all the other riders are being cheated of their prize money, getting 25 cents on the dollar. John goes to the rodeo office demanding Farnsworth (Henry Hall) give him his $900 due him. When refused, John holds Farnsworth at gunpoint while Charlie goes to the safe to take the money owed him and depart. After leaving the office, gun shots are heard and Farnsworth is found dead. Witnesses Pete (Al Ferguson) and Jim (Paul Fix) expose John and Charley as the last men to see Farnsworth alive, leaving the sheriff and his posse to go after them. After having their bank roll stolen and learning the real killers have gone to Poker City, John and Charley, assuming new identities as John Jones and the Reverend Harry Smith, follow them there to clear their names. In the process, both men become interested in a girl named Anne (Mary Kornmann), whose brother may know something regarding both the Farnsworth murder and the recent stagecoach holdup for which John and Charlie are accused. Featuring Lafe McKee, Frank Ball and Wally West in smaller roles.
THE DESERT TRAIL starts off amusingly well with fine comedy exchanges between Wayne and Chandler. Though playing like two different movies for the price of one, the results are completely satisfying. The title doesn't seem to fit the story until later it is revealed that "The Desert Trail" is the path both John and Charlie need to follow to locate the killers. With no underscoring except for the opening and closing credits, THE DESERT TRAIL shows it doesn't need any. Beware of latter restored prints with inappropriate/intrusive scoring and some others that have been colorized that takes away from the enjoyment of the story. Although a poverty-row western, the acting is quite good and scripting and pacing satisfactory.
Available on both video cassette and DVD process, THE DESERT TRAIL enjoyed frequent television revivals and discovery on public television during the 1990s, but to date, no known broadcasts either on the former American Movie Classics nor Turner Classic Movies cable channel, but has turned up occasionally either on Enore Westerns Channel or MGM Plus. (**1/2).