JOHN WAYNE (2 MOVIES ON 1) (DVD) DVD

The Lawless Frontier
Earl Dwire supplies a deliciously ripe performance as a half-breed outlaw in this early John Wayne Western from Monogram. After killing John's father, Zanti (Dwire) attempts to abduct pretty Ruby (Sheila Terry), but the girl is saved in the nick of time by John. Unfortunately, the bumbling sheriff (Jack Rockwell) not only mistakes John for one of Zanti's outlaws, but also accuses him of killing Ruby's grandfather, Dusty (George Hayes). The latter, however, is still very much alive and John tracks Zanti into the desert where the outlaw perishes after drinking poisoned water. With the boss villain dead, John goes after the entire gang who is eventually trapped in Dusty's mine. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide

The Lucky Texan
The third entry in John Wayne's superior Lone Star series for producer Paul Malvern, The Lucky Texan features Wayne as Jerry Mason, a young college graduate who, along with old family friend Jake Benson (George Hayes), locates a secret gold field. Returning to town with their gold, the two friends make the mistake of trusting the local assayer (Lloyd Whitlock) and his equally crooked partner (Yakima Canutt). The villains take a shot at Jake and, believing they killed the old coot, blame young Jerry for the "murder." At his trial, Jerry is delighted to discover his "victim" among the spectators, dressed in a costume formerly used in a local presentation of Charley's Aunt. Usually playing villains in the Lone Star Westerns, George Hayes got an opportunity to practice his later popular Gabby character in this entry. The Lucky Texan also featured several fine examples of director Robert North Bradbury's famous "swish-pan" method, in which characters are brought from one place to another as the camera sweeps over the landscape in a blur. As always, Yakima Canutt doubled both Wayne, Hayes, and several of the villains. In fact, Canutt got to virtually chase himself in a gasoline-powered handcar in the film's exciting finale. In addition to Wayne, Hayes, Canutt, and Whitlock, the Malvern stock company players did their usual fine work, including Earl Dwire as an elderly sheriff, stunt man Ed Parker as the sheriff's crooked son, and Gordon de Main as the local banker. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide

Cast John Wayne as John Tobin Sheila Terry as Ruby George "Gabby" Hayes as Dusty Earl Dwire as Zanti Yakima Canutt as Joe Jack Rockwell as Sheriff Gordon D. [Demain] Woods as Miller John Wayne as Jerry Mason Barbara Sheldon as Betty George "Gabby" Hayes as Jake Benson Lloyd Whitlock as Yakima Canutt as Cole Gordon de Main as Sheriff Earl Dwire as Banker

Crew Robert North Bradbury - Director Carl Pierson - Editor Louis Clyde Stoumen - Cinematographer Paul Malvern - Producer Robert North Bradbury - Screenwriter Robert North Bradbury - Director Carl Pierson - Editor Louis Clyde Stoumen - Cinematographer Paul Malvern - Producer Robert North Bradbury - Screenwriter

The Lawless Frontier
Earl Dwire essayed many a nasty Boss Villain in his long B-Western career, but this time he is even more vile. With an ill-fitting wig and an even worse Mexican accent, Dwire positively leers at the sight of Sheila Terry and right in front of the girl's grandfather to boot. The latter is played by that ornery old polecat George Hayes, years before he added "Gabby" to his moniker, and he easily steals every scene he is in. Yakima Canutt, meanwhile, performs several daring stunts, some while wearing a wig to look like Terry, and a very young John Wayne hems and haws as only he could. Neither the best nor the worst of the Monogram Lone Star Westerns, The Lawless Frontier is interesting mainly as an example of Wayne in his embryonic years. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
 

The Lucky Texan
(not reviewed)
 

(no awards)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: Sound Processing: Additional Features: Digitally mastered Interactive menus Scene access DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: PG DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: Content Length: 114 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Gold! [6:12] 2. A Good Investment [8:12] 3. Miss Betty [5:29] 4. The Chase [5:09] 5. Stubborn as a Mule [9:08] 6. Bill of Sale [4:56] 7. A Thirst for Gold [4:32] 8. The Lucky Texan [10:08] 1. Pandro Zante [13:54] 2. A Wet Crossing [10:57] 3. The Wrong Man [12:40] 4. A New Sheriff [14:39]