*By submitting your contribution, you agree to TCM's Terms of Use. TCM will use your personal information consistent with our Privacy Policy

• Handsome John Wayne

  • Jasmine
  • 5/2/17

  This old western is worth the 60 min to see the very handsome, tall, slim, at ease and likeable John Wayne in action in one of his earliest films.

• BUY THE DUKE A DRINK.

  • JD
  • 10/15/15

  This film was released by Monogram Pictures, a small studio that specialized in low-budget films. And, that's what you have here. This movie stars John Wayne, early in his run as a leading man and Hollywood star, as a cowboy that attempts to find his father's killer. The problem? The man that murdered his father, is the brother of the woman that the Duke is in love with. That's never a good thing, but being John Wayne, you get the feeling by the end of the film that it will somehow turn out alright. By the time this film was released, the Duke had been around for a short while, and had already made a name for himself as a young star on the rise. Films like this, yes the acting was technically not the best and low-budget may be an understatement, but they were very important in establishing Wayne as a star. And, in hindsight it obviously worked quite well. Anyways, the Duke is typical here of early John Wayne. The support cast? OK. Reed Howes is Wayne's new-found friend, and Marion Burns is the leading lady. Dennis Moore is the movie's bad guy, and well he's there is about all I can say. One notable casting note here: this film does not have George 'Gabby' Hayes in it! Hayes appeared in what seemed like almost every Western made back in the day, but he must have been busy on the day they shot this film. Oh well. This film isn't long, and has a decent amount of good action and quality stunts. However, despite all of that in my opinion it still drug out a bit. Especially the first half. The print is about what you'd expect, at least the one's I've seen. Low-budget on top of not being preserved so well, it shows it's age. Also, the music score has been added, a recent addition. But, it's a Monogram feature, a routine Western from the mid-thirties, so it is what it is. These early John Wayne films have long been cult-classics, low on quality and story, but interesting films to watch.

• The Dawn Rider (1935)

  • Jay Higgins
  • 9/9/09

  Just another one of countless low budget westerns John Wayne made in the1930's. This one is not unique or special in any way.

• More Reviews