Customer Reviews

To the Last Man [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

in my opinion, the zane grey paramounts were some of the best early sound westerns ever made. they were the training ground for many future stars as randolph scott, buster crabbe,dean jagger, and yes even shirley temple! to the last man has a strong cast with such notable villians of the time as noah beery sr. and jack larue. when they are on the screen you know supreme villiany is at hand.randolph scott as the main character, and esther ralston as the heroine stand out in this zane grey western with above average performances for its time. the saga of two feuding clans,span two decades in the film and has a stunning climax. as far as the quality of the tape itself, one has to remember, back in the 1930s, each studio was trying to establish itself in the early talkie era. for example,paramounts products seem to have more grey, while rko had a darker look to it. the studios had their own look to their films. this title is no exception. contrast is light gray. but ala in all for 1933 its ok. try it, afterall it was shirley temples first feature!

To the Last Man" is a fairly typical, straightforward Western. It's the old 'Hatfield/McCoy' family feud scenario, complete with gunfights, cowboys on horseback and young lovers that cross the enemy lines to stay together. There isn't anything particularly Earthshaking or memorable here.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of "To the Last Man" is the presence of a five year old Shirley Temple in a small role as Randolph Scott's daughter. She did the film well before her child star days, while she was under contract at a Poverty Row studio and doing bit part and walk-on work around Hollywood. Her screen brother, Delmar Watson, appeared with her again 5 years later in "Heidi" at Fox.

If you're a fan of early talkie Westerns you might like this movie, but if not, "To the Last Man" might not keep your attention for long.

VCI Entertainment and Paramount Pictures present "TO THE LAST MAN" (1933) (70 mins/B&W) (Dolby digitally remastered) --- relive those thrilling days when Randy Scott and Buster Crabbe took us down the dusty trails with hard riding and straight shooting hitting the bull's eye with excitement every time... the Scott and Crabbe series of B-Westerns were a staple of Saturday matinees in the 1930s and 1940s ... don't miss any of the Scott and Crabbe features loaded with action that will leave you wanting more of their B-Western adventures.

Under Henry Hathaway (Director), Harold Hurley (Producer), Jack Cunningham (Screenwriter), Zane Grey (Short Story Author), Benjamin F. Reynolds (Cinematographer), Earl Hedrick (Art Director) ------ the cast includes Randolph Scott (Lynn Hayden), Larry "Buster" Crabbe (Bill Hayden), Esther Ralston - Ellen Colby), Jack LaRue (Jim Daggs), Noah Beery, Sr (Jed Colby), Barton MacLane (Neil Stanley), Muriel Kirkland (Molly Hayden), Fuzzy Knight (Jeff Morley), Shirley Temple (Mary Stanley), Gail Patrick (Ann Hayden Stanley), Egon Brecher (Mark Hayden), James C. Eagles (Ely Bruce), Eugénie Besserer (Granny Spelvin), Harlan Knight (Grandpa Spelvin), Russell Powell (Greaves), Delmar Watson (Tad Standing), Jay Ward (Lynn Hayden as a Child), Rosita Butler (Ann Hayden as a Child), James Burke (Sheriff ), Erville Alderson (Judge), Cullen Johnson (Bill Hayden as a Child), John Carradine (Pete Garon), Harry Cording (Joe Malone) . . . . . . our story takes place in Old Kentucky with a feud between the Hayden and Colby clan right after the Civil War ... enters our hero Randolph Scott and his brother Buster Crabbe who only want to leave in peace and end this feuding ... but there is a twist to this plot, as Esther Ralston who is a member of the Colbys falls in love with Scott against the wishes of her father Noah Beery Sr. ... is there any hope for the two families, will the lovebirds live happily ever after or will the Paramount cast keep on feuding ... keep your eyes peeled for a young Shirley Temple in a early small role ... beautifully photographed by Cinematographer benjamin F. Reynolds and outstanding direction from one of my favorites directors Henry Hathaway --- another great B-Western under the Paramount Picture banner.

Special footnote, George Randolph Scott better known as Randolph Scott, was an American film actor whose career spanned the sound era from the late 1920s to the early 1960s ... his popularity grew in the 1940s and 1950s, appearing in such films as "Gung Ho"! (1943) and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" (1938); but he was especially famous for his numerous Westerns including "Virginia City" (1940) with Errol Flynn and Humphrey Bogart, "Western Union" (1941) with Robert Young, "Seven Men from Now" (1956) with Lee Marvin, "The Tall T" (1957) with Richard Boone, "Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend" (1957) with James Garner, and "Ride the High Country" (1962) with Joel McCrea (a coin was flipped to see whether Scott or McCrea would receive top billing, and Scott won despite having a slightly smaller role) ... his long fistfight with John Wayne in "The Spoilers" (1942) was frequently cited by critics and the press as the most thrilling ever filmed; they were fighting over Marlene Dietrich ... another smash hit film together that same year called "Pittsburgh" (1942) once again with Dietrich, Scott and Wayne

Second special footnote, actor Buster Crabbe graduated from the University of Southern California and won the 400 meter freestyle in which he medaled in the 1932 Olympics, went to work for Paramount in "King of the Jungle" (1933), next role was "Tarzan the Fearless (1933), Crabbe returned to Paramount Pictures was featured in Zane Grey Westerns which were well received, then came the roles that made him a household word "Flash Gordon" and "Buck Rogers" at Universal Picture Serials (1936-1940), meanwhile PRC Studios was looking for a leading hero "Billy the Kid" and "Billy Carson" in the 1940's B-Western series and ran its course for six years, later made several televison appearances and appeared in a series "Captain Gallant and the Foreign Legion" (1955-1957).....

SPECIAL FEATURES:
BIOS:
1. Randolph Scott (aka: George Randolph Scott)
Date of birth: 23 January 1898 - Orange County, Virginia
Date of death: 2 March 1987 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles
2. Buster Crabbe (aka: Clarence Linden Crabbe II)
Birth Date: 2/17/1907 - Oakland California
Died: 4/23/1983 - Scottsdale, Arizona

Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing "To the Last Man" (1933) -
Randolph Scott & Buster Crabbe, the digital transfere with a clean, clear
and crisp print...looking forward to more high quality releases from the
vintage serial era of the '20s, '30s & '40s and B-Westerns...order your
copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment where there are plenty of
copies available on DVD and VHS, stay tuned once again for top notch
action mixed with deadly adventure from the "King of Serials" VCI...just
the way we like 'em

Total Time: 70 min on DVD/VHS ~ VCI Home Video ~ (11/27 2000)

To The Last Man, 1935 film

The story begins with a man cranking a printing press. "General Lee Surrenders" is the headline for April 1865. At war's end the horses and wagons were parceled out to the soldiers, allowing them to work for themselves when they go home. One man plans to move his family out west, to leave squabbling relatives behind. [This still happens.] A young boy shoulders his grandpa's rifle. The Colby's fight back. Grandma Spelvin hears the bad news. Mark Hayden will go to the law. Jed Colby gets 15 years for shooting Jed Spelvin. Mark heads west with his two children. One man has a team of oxen (the draft animal preferred for their fuel efficiency). Mark stakes a claim to his property. Fifteen years later Jed Colby is released from prison. His daughter Ellen has complaints. Joe Daggs will go west with the Colby's, they will settle in Nevada close to the Hayden ranch.

The Colby's steal Hayden's cattle until they can wipe them out. Ellen is headstrong. She tussles with Daggs. We learn about the Hayden ranch and its people. Will the Kentucky feud continue? Jed Spelvin says he will protect his property. Lynn Hayden rides by and meets Ellen, a lady. We learn about Ellen's past! Lynn shaves. [Some considered this a waster of time.] They share breakfast, then learn about their family names. Lynn learns more about the local conditions. A shot is fired at a young girl! Is this a trap? Lynn has a present for Ellen. That night cattle thieves drive off the white-faced cattle (Herefords for meat). Ellen learns the truth about "White Cloud", and kisses Lynn. Three Colby men attack Lynn, who wins the fight. Ellen tells her father of her plans.

The Colby men approach the Hayden ranch. The Hayden's defend themselves. Will the Hayden men arrive in time to chase the Colby gang away? Bill rides in tied to his saddle, dead. What will they do now? Mark Hayden rides in . There will be a chase. An explosion throws rocks into the canyon below. Daggs double-crosses Jed Colby. Lynn wounded, survives the blast to visit Ellen, then is hidden when Daggs appears. There is a fight between Daggs and Ellen. Lynn ends it. There will be a happy ending for Ellen and Lynn.

This was adapted from a Zane Grey novel. Did that young girl look like Shirley Temple? It is a good story about relocated families, if you can believe it. Not many Westerns used a story about feuding families. The quality of this film is very good for its age, and it is not a low budget production. The underdressed Ellen did not match the usual dress for women around the 1880s, or even the 1930s. Was her nude swimming an extra attraction?

VCI Entertainment and Paramount Pictures present "TO THE LAST MAN" (1933) (70 mins/B&W) (Dolby digitally remastered) --- relive those thrilling days when Randy Scott and Buster Crabbe took us down the dusty trails with hard riding and straight shooting hitting the bull's eye with excitement every time... the Scott and Crabbe series of B-Westerns were a staple of Saturday matinees in the 1930s and 1940s ... don't miss any of the Scott and Crabbe features loaded with action that will leave you wanting more of their B-Western adventures.

Under Henry Hathaway (Director), Harold Hurley (Producer), Jack Cunningham (Screenwriter), Zane Grey (Short Story Author), Benjamin F. Reynolds (Cinematographer), Earl Hedrick (Art Director) ------ the cast includes Randolph Scott (Lynn Hayden), Larry "Buster" Crabbe (Bill Hayden), Esther Ralston - Ellen Colby), Jack LaRue (Jim Daggs), Noah Beery, Sr (Jed Colby), Barton MacLane (Neil Stanley), Muriel Kirkland (Molly Hayden), Fuzzy Knight (Jeff Morley), Shirley Temple (Mary Stanley), Gail Patrick (Ann Hayden Stanley), Egon Brecher (Mark Hayden), James C. Eagles (Ely Bruce), Eugénie Besserer (Granny Spelvin), Harlan Knight (Grandpa Spelvin), Russell Powell (Greaves), Delmar Watson (Tad Standing), Jay Ward (Lynn Hayden as a Child), Rosita Butler (Ann Hayden as a Child), James Burke (Sheriff ), Erville Alderson (Judge), Cullen Johnson (Bill Hayden as a Child), John Carradine (Pete Garon), Harry Cording (Joe Malone) . . . . . . our story takes place in Old Kentucky with a feud between the Hayden and Colby clan right after the Civil War ... enters our hero Randolph Scott and his brother Buster Crabbe who only want to leave in peace and end this feuding ... but there is a twist to this plot, as Esther Ralston who is a member of the Colbys falls in love with Scott against the wishes of her father Noah Beery Sr. ... is there any hope for the two families, will the lovebirds live happily ever after or will the Paramount cast keep on feuding ... keep your eyes peeled for a young Shirley Temple in a early small role ... beautifully photographed by Cinematographer benjamin F. Reynolds and outstanding direction from one of my favorites directors Henry Hathaway --- another great B-Western under the Paramount Picture banner.

Special footnote, George Randolph Scott better known as Randolph Scott, was an American film actor whose career spanned the sound era from the late 1920s to the early 1960s ... his popularity grew in the 1940s and 1950s, appearing in such films as "Gung Ho"! (1943) and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" (1938); but he was especially famous for his numerous Westerns including "Virginia City" (1940) with Errol Flynn and Humphrey Bogart, "Western Union" (1941) with Robert Young, "Seven Men from Now" (1956) with Lee Marvin, "The Tall T" (1957) with Richard Boone, "Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend" (1957) with James Garner, and "Ride the High Country" (1962) with Joel McCrea (a coin was flipped to see whether Scott or McCrea would receive top billing, and Scott won despite having a slightly smaller role) ... his long fistfight with John Wayne in "The Spoilers" (1942) was frequently cited by critics and the press as the most thrilling ever filmed; they were fighting over Marlene Dietrich ... another smash hit film together that same year called "Pittsburgh" (1942) once again with Dietrich, Scott and Wayne

Second special footnote, actor Buster Crabbe graduated from the University of Southern California and won the 400 meter freestyle in which he medaled in the 1932 Olympics, went to work for Paramount in "King of the Jungle" (1933), next role was "Tarzan the Fearless (1933), Crabbe returned to Paramount Pictures was featured in Zane Grey Westerns which were well received, then came the roles that made him a household word "Flash Gordon" and "Buck Rogers" at Universal Picture Serials (1936-1940), meanwhile PRC Studios was looking for a leading hero "Billy the Kid" and "Billy Carson" in the 1940's B-Western series and ran its course for six years, later made several televison appearances and appeared in a series "Captain Gallant and the Foreign Legion" (1955-1957).....

SPECIAL FEATURES:
BIOS:
1. Randolph Scott (aka: George Randolph Scott)
Date of birth: 23 January 1898 - Orange County, Virginia
Date of death: 2 March 1987 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles
2. Buster Crabbe (aka: Clarence Linden Crabbe II)
Birth Date: 2/17/1907 - Oakland California
Died: 4/23/1983 - Scottsdale, Arizona

Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing "To the Last Man" (1933) -
Randolph Scott & Buster Crabbe, the digital transfere with a clean, clear
and crisp print...looking forward to more high quality releases from the
vintage serial era of the '20s, '30s & '40s and B-Westerns...order your
copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment where there are plenty of
copies available on DVD and VHS, stay tuned once again for top notch
action mixed with deadly adventure from the "King of Serials" VCI...just
the way we like 'em

Total Time: 70 min on DVD/VHS ~ VCI Home Video ~ (11/27 2000)

It looks like a whole lot of story got squished into a little movie here, leaving character development to take some mighty leaps and bounds, but it is worth watching just the same. The performances are great, starting with the grandfather's "feudin'" death.