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Honor of the Range

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Ken Maynard did not make traditional Westerns for Universal - in fact, he frequently clashed with studio bosses over the bizarre nature of his storylines. "Honor of the Range" (1934) has Ken in a dual role as the town sheriff and his weak-willed twin brother. Good stunt work and solid Universal production values make this one of Maynard's better efforts. However, if you want to see the cowboy star at his most outlandish, check out "Smoking Guns."

Universal Pictures presents "HONOR OF THE RANGE" (16 April 1934) (61 mins/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- . Ken Maynard was an American motion picture stuntman and actor --- Born Kenneth Olin Maynard in Vevay, Indiana, he was an accomplished horseman --- As a young man, he performed in rodeos and was a trick rider with Buffalo Bill 's Wild West Show and a circus rider with Ringling Brothers --- During World War I, he served in the United States Army.

He first appeared in silent motion pictures in 1923 and in addition to acting also did stunt work --- Maynard became one of the first singing cowboys with Columbia Records --- Also one of the first to make a star out of his white stallion named "Tarzan", a half-Arabian, half-American Saddle horse. Maynard bought him in the mid-1920's --- With his white cowboy hat, fancy shirt, and pair of six-shooters, from the 1920s to the mid-1940s --- Maynard appeared in more than 90 films --- However, his alcoholism severely impacted his life and his career ended in 1944. He owned a small circus operation featuring rodeo riders but eventually lost it to creditors.

The significant amount of money he had earned vanished and he lived a desolate life in a rundown mobile home --- During these years, Maynard was supported by an unknown admirer - long thought to be Gene Autry --- More than 25 years after his last starring role, Maynard returned to two small parts in films in 1970 and 1972 --- Ken Maynard died penniless in 1973 at the Motion Picture Home in Woodland Hills, California. He was interred at Forest Lawn Cypress Cemetery in Cypress, California. Maynard's funeral is described in detail in James Horwitz's book They Went Thataway --- His brother, Kermit Maynard, was also an actor and stuntman

For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Ken Maynard has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6751 Hollywood Blvd -- (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Under the production staff of:

Alan James - Director

Nate Gatzert - Screenwriter

Ken Maynard - Producer

Ted D. McCord - Cinematographer

Charles Harris - Film Editor

Our story line and plot, After Sheriff Ken (Ken Maynard) puts money in the safe, his brother Clem (Ken Maynard) gives Rawhide (Fred Kohler) the combination. With the money gone the disgruntled townsmen make Boots Sheriff (Frank Hagney) and lock up Ken --- Clem, now a prisoner of Rawhide, has a change of heart and sends Ken a message with the outlaw's location --- Ken escapes by impersonating the saloon entertainer and rides for the hangout --- This rather grim Universal film is notable for Ken Maynard's portrayal of two characters: one his usual heroic self, and the other a shy, sneaking, yet ultimately honorable fellow. This film is considerably darker than most of his efforts, and shows the off-beat star's versatility.

But, in this film, in what sounds like his natural voice, he sings "She Was Only a Bird In a Gilded Cage," while disguised, and...does a dance to the song as well with some chorus girls, but it does work! So glad Maynard shared all these elements of his talent, if only he would have kept that temper in line --- Well worth your time. The singing, dancing and disguise are priceless, especially if you know what a complex character Maynard was.

Ken Maynard had been a major star in the 1920's famous for his trick riding and daring subnetwork. Unfortunately he had a few too many personal demons and his career steadily declined during the 1930s. This film is from his final solo starring series. He would re-surface briefly over weight and as nasty as ever in the 40s in Monogram's "Trail Blazer" with Hoot Gibson and Bob Steele --- After that he basically "retired" from the screen.

the cast includes:

Ken Maynard ... Sheriff Ken / Brother Clem

Tarzan ... Tarzan, Ken's Horse

Cecilia Parker ... Mary Turner

Fred Kohler ... 'Rawhide'

Frank Hagney ... Deputy 'Boots'

Jack Rockwell ... Rocky

James A. Marcus ... Mr. Turner (as James Marcus)

Albert J. Smith ... Henchman 'Smokey' (as Al Smith)

Eddie Barnes ... Charlie Curzon (the vaudevillian)

Slim Whitaker ... Henchman Pete (as Slim Whittaker)

Franklyn Farnum ... Saloonkeper (as Franklin Farnum)

Irving Bacon ... Townsman

Chuck Baldra ... Musician (guitar player)

Hank Bell ... Barfly

Al Bridge ... Townsman

Ralph Bucko ... Posse member

Roy Bucko ... Posse member

Fred Burns ... Townsman

Ben Corbett ... Pete (gang lookout)

Jim Corey ... Cowhand

Al Haskell ... Musician (accordion player)

Jack Jones ... Musician (banjo player)

Lew Kelly ... Man in balcony

Jack Kirk ... Barfly / Musician

Johnny Luther ... Musician (guitar player)

Fred MacKaye ... Henchman

Bud McClure ... Barfly

Merrill McCormick ... Henchman

Nelson McDowell ... Townsman

Lafe McKee ... Townsman

Art Mix ... Posse member

Charles Murphy ... Cowhand

Bill Patton ... Cowhand

Pascale Perry ... Henchman

Jack Richardson ... Rancher

Hal Taliaferro ... Third man, in black, nominating Boots for sheriff

Blackjack Ward ... Posse member

SPECIAL FEATURES:

BIO:

1. Ken Maynard (aka: Kenneth Olin Maynard)

Date of Birth: 21 July 1895 - Vevay, Indiana

Date of Death: 23 March 1973 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California

If you crave action, drama and plenty of adventure check out other western double features --- Ask Amazon.Com to carry the volumes as they are not available on Amazon as of yet --- you can order and pick up your copy now from VCI Entertainment

KEN MAYNARD WESTERN DOUBLE FEATURE

Vol 1: Phantom Thunderbolt & Lightning Strikes West (VCI #7240) (DVD)

Vol 2: Dynamite Ranch & Death Rides the Range (VCI #7295) (DVD)

Vol 3: Drum Taps & Two Gun Man (VCI #7300) (DVD)

Vol 4: Fargo Express & Harmony Trail (VCI #7284) (DVD)

Vol 5: Western Courage & Whistlin' Dan (VCI #7307) (DVD)

Vol 6: In Old Santa Fe & Come On Tarzan (VCI #7346) (DVD)

Vol 7: Boots of Destiny & Flamin' Lead (VCI #7348) (DVD)

Vol 8: Six Shootin' Sheriff & Trailin' Trouble (VCI #7350) (DVD)

Hats off and thanks to Les Adams (collector/guidelines for character identification), Chuck Anderson (Webmaster: The Old Corral/B-Westerns.Com), Boyd Magers (Western Clippings), Bobby J. Copeland (author of "Trail Talk"), Rhonda Lemons (Empire Publishing Inc), Bob Nareau (author of "The Real Bob Steele") and Trevor Scott (Down Under DVD Com) as they have rekindled my interest once again for Film Noir, B-Westerns and Serials --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era of the '30s & '40s and B-Westerns --- order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- stay tuned once again for top notch action mixed with musical adventure --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Amazon or VCI where they are experts in releasing B-Westerns --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 61 min on VHS/DVD ~ Universal Pictures ~ (07/26/2005)