Code of the Range (1936) - Turner Classic Movies

Brief Synopsis

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In this Charles Starrett western that WAS NOT produced by Peter B. Kyne and was solely written by Ford Bebee, although some sources attribute the story to Peter B. Kyne because, with his permission and as a selling angle, the title shown on the film and all of the posters is "Peter B. Kyne's CODE OF THE RANGE." The use of his name was Mr. Kyne's only contribution. Ford Beebe's "original screenplay" (he had used it before) finds the cattlemen, headed by "Calamity" Parker (Allan Cavan), opposing the use of their range lands by sheep herders, with cattlemen Lee Jamison (Charles Starrett) and Ed Randall (Edmund Cobb) in the dissenting minority and they offer sheepman Angus McLeod (Edward Coxen as Ed Coxen) free grazing privileges. Saloon owner Barney Ross (Albert J. Smith) offers to keep the sheepmen off of the range and out of town if each cattleman will pay $500. They agree after he promises there will be no bloodshed. Ross then visits bank clerk Quigley (Ralph McCullough), who Ross knows has stolen bank funds to cover his gambling losses at Ross' saloon, and forces him to forge the name of bank president Adams (Edward LeSaint) on a foreclosure notice on Jamison's ranch. Ross then buys Jamison's property thereby making it impossible for the sheep-herders to use the land for grazing. Calamity's daughter Janet (Mary Blake) works at the bank and is engaged to Jamison but they have parted because of a quarrel over the feud. But when Jamison learns that his property has been "legally" stolen, Mary, who suspects Ross and Quigley, aids him by wiring Adams to return immediately. Jamison, suspecting that Ross will have his henchmen take Adams off the stagecoach and kill him, beats the gang to the stagecoach, takes Adams and hides him. But Jamison has to flee town when Ross tells the townsmen that Jamison took Adams off the stage and killed him. But he will return.

Cast & Crew

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C. C. Coleman Jr.

Charles Starrett

Mary Blake

Edward Coxen

Allan Cavan

"Calamity" Parker

Albert J. Smith

Film Details

Also Known As

Cross Fire

Genre

Western

Release Date

Oct 9, 1936

Premiere Information

not available

Production Company

Columbia Pictures Corp. of California, Ltd.

Distribution Company

Columbia Pictures Corp. of California, Ltd.

Country

United States

Technical Specs

Duration

55m

Sound

Mono

Color

Black and White

Theatrical Aspect Ratio

1.37 : 1

Film Length

6 reels

Synopsis

Cattlemen Lee Jamison and Ed Randall are the only ranchers in their territory who are not opposed to sheepherders sharing their grazing land, and they allow Angus McLeod to let his sheep graze where they may. Saloonkeeper Barney Ross takes a collection of $500 from each rancher who is opposed to the sheep ranchers and promises that he will keep the sheep out of their territory without bloodshed. While bank president Adams is out of town, Ross blackmails bank clerk Quigley into foreclosing on Jamison's ranch by using Adams' forged signature. Ross then purchases the ranch and forbids sheepmen to allow their herds on his land. Mary Parker, the daughter of rancher "Calamity," learns of Ross's treachery and sends for Adams, although she had previously broken her engagement with Jamison over the grazing feud. Jamison abducts Adams from the stagecoach after he learns of Ross's plans to kill the banker. When he returns to town, however, Jamison learns that Ross has told the townsfolk that he killed Adams. Jamison leaves, but returns to town with Adams and they discover Quigley's forgery. The bank is robbed by Ross's men, who knock out Jamison, and Ross kills Adams, then again pins the blame on Jamison. At a trial, Quigley confesses his guilt and implicates Ross in the scheme and Adams' murder. Jamison prevents Ross's escape and Ross is arrested. The cattlemen and sheepmen call a truce and Janet and Jamison are reunited.

Director

C. C. Coleman Jr.

Cast

Charles Starrett

Mary Blake

Edward Coxen

Allan Cavan

"Calamity" Parker

Albert J. Smith

Ed Peil Sr.

Edmund Cobb

Edward Le Saint

Ralph Mccullough

Dick Rush

Eddie Hearn

George Chesebro

Ernie Adams

Buck Moulton

Walter Downing

Art Mix

Clem Horton

Bert Dillard

Art Dillard

Frank Polk

Artie Ortego

Billy Donley

"Calamity" Parker

Crew

Ford Beebe

Irving Briskin

Executive Producer

Cliff Broughton

Assistant Director

Harry L. Decker

Associate Producer

Peter B. Kyne

William Lyon

George Meehan

Gene Milford

Richard Tyler

Film Details

Also Known As

Cross Fire

Genre

Western

Release Date

Oct 9, 1936

Premiere Information

not available

Production Company

Columbia Pictures Corp. of California, Ltd.

Distribution Company

Columbia Pictures Corp. of California, Ltd.

Country

United States

Technical Specs

Duration

55m

Sound

Mono

Color

Black and White

Theatrical Aspect Ratio

1.37 : 1

Film Length

6 reels

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

The working title of this film was Cross Fire.

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