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2.0 out of 5 stars
50/50 Critics' Choice Randolph Scott western-double-feature #2 from yesteryear, February 2, 2007
This review is from: Randolph Scott Double Feature, Vol. 2 (DVD)
Directed by Henry Hathaway and Produced by Harold Hurley, Both stories are taken from two Zane Grey Westerns. Scripted by Jack Cunningham and Photographed by Ben Reynolds. Also starring in both films Randolph Scott, Noah Beery, Buster Crabbe and Barton MacLane.
TO THE LAST MAN (1933 - 70 Minutes) aka "Law of Vengeance"
In 1866 following the Civil War two Kentucky families the Hayden's and the Colby's continue their feud. Young Lynn Hayden (Jay Ward) sees his grandpa shot by Jed Colby (Noah Beery) Returning from the war Mark Hayden (Egon Brecher) takes out murder charges against Jed Colby, he is found guilty and sent to prison. Mark Hayden then decides to pack up and take his family to Nevada.
Released from prison after 15 years Jed Colby comes looking for revenge on the Hayden's with his feisty daughter Ellen (Esther Ralston). Lynn Hayden (Randolph Scott) on his way to join his family in Grant Valley comes across Ellen bathing in a mountain lake; instantly they are smitten with one another, later there is a set back when they discover each other's true identities. At the Hayden Ranch Lynn joins forces with his brother Bill Hayden (Buster Crabbe) and brother-in-law Neil Stanley (Barton MacLane) and prepare to take on the Colbys to the last man.
Esther Ralston was a gorgeous beautiful blonde leading lady from the silent era known as "The American Venus" following a 1926 film of that title. No doubt she and a youngish 35-year old Randolph Scott make a handsome pair. Also amongst the cast are Fuzzy Knight, Shirley Temple and John Carradine. Film locations included Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
Excellent digitally restored film and transfer to DVD. Well worth the price and a good 3 stars plus on its own!
BUFFALO STAMPEDE (1933 - 57 Minutes) aka " The Thundering Herd"
In the fall of 1874 Clark Sprague (Harry Carey) and his partner Jude Pilchuk (Raymond Hatton) traded in buffalo hides and ran the Sprague Trading Post situated in a camp deep in the heart of buffalo hunting territory. Randall Jett (Noah Beery) who with his henchman Pruitt (Barton MacLane) is running a rival hunting outfit who in addition have been stealing Sprague's buffalo hides. Heading for the camp are Sprague's buffalo hunter Tom Doan (Randolph Scott) who is showing Bill Hatch (Buster Crabbe) the ropes of stage driving business.
On arriving at the camp Tom is determined to marry his girl friend Millie Fayre (Judith Allen) but Millie is being held against her will by her stepfather Randall Jett. The two rivals are planning on setting out on a hunting expedition the next day but Jett's party slip away in the night taking Millie with them! Tom sets out to rescue her but fails, getting wounded in the process, returning to Sprague's party, which is heading for Red River country. Following a run in with a Comanche hunting party they receive a warning of all out Indian attacks on white buffalo hunters. Sprague takes the advice and head for army protection at Little Bend. But Tom Doan having also heard that Jett's party is working in White Horse Creek, Tom then sets off to save Millie from Jett, the Indians and the thundering herd.
Henry Hathaway went on to direct many fine westerns including THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER and TRUE GRIT with John Wayne. Buster Crabbe also played "Tarzan" and "Flash Gordon" etc (in features and serials) Harry Carey hero of many a silent western and firm favourite of director John Ford. Noah Beery, was known as king of the baddies. Both Carey and Beery had sons of the same name with the addition of Jr. (Junior) both also in westerns. Barton MacLane was also a noted heavy in many westerns.
Randolph Scott sports an Errol Flynn type moustache throughout this fast-paced action film plenty fast riding and wagon chases with liberal use of stock footage from the 1925 THUNDERING HERD silent version Directed by William K Howard.
The condition of this film although just about viewable is awful, has it ever been digitally restored? You may well ask, as shown here only 1 star, hence 2 stars overall!
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