Cavalry

This is an ugly film and I am very surprised the other reviews let this pass without comment. The film begins during the Civil War. In some god-awful scenes, you see a plantation where the happiest slaves in film history live. They LIKE being in bondage and when the war ends, they are beside themselves and want the Master to stay. But, in a ridiculously teary and melancholy scene, the Master leaves, as Yankee raiders have destroyed his home. While such was often the fate of plantation owners during the war, the well-fed, non-beaten, non-sexually exploited and happy slaves were just too much--and I could imagine viewers today tossing a show at the TV when this sort of idyllic view of slavery is portrayed!! It's historically inaccurate and rather gross. Why not a film about happy folks in concentration camps, then?

The war is now over and Bob Steele has been sent west to ensure that the telegraph lines are put in to connection the nation. In addition, some dirt-bags (the same Yankee raiders but now living in the west) are trying to start their own nation and it's up to Bob to kick butt and restore peace. But how does Steele's story relate to the good folks at the plantation? After all, he's a dang Yankee (though a nice one) and they were good children of the Confederacy?

Overall, the acting is good and the story is pretty good--but the prologue is just grotesque. Watch it if you like but if you aren't offended by the start of the film you might want to read up on this period in history, as it was nothing like this...at least on this planet!

Admittedly, 1930's westerns are not everyone's "cup of tea". However, when viewed in context, they offer fine entertainment in a short amount of running time. This 1936 oater by Bob Steele is no exception. In this film, written and directed by his Dad, Steele demonstrates the scrappy likabilty that made him a star for several decades.

In this film, Steele is a Captain trying to protect a much-needed telegraph line from the shady Leeds. While many of the co-stars are unknown to today's audiences, the great Earl Dwire makes a notable appearance. Dwire and Steele make this one a must see for fans of early western talkies.

Enjoy this one pardners, Bob Steele was one of the best !

Robert North Bradbury is due a lot from us lovers of B Westerns: stories, direction, and two sons who starred in dozens or scores of pictures.

Mr. Bradbury directed his more famous son, known as Bob Steele, in this unusual movie of the time after the War Against Southern Independence.

The beginning is marred with stock footage of battles, then erases any complaints with a heart-tugging scene complete with some beautifully harmonized soul singing. No spoiler: Please watch it.

Then some irony is added to the story. Again, no spoiler.

Probably the ultimate direction of the action will become apparent to any viewer, but never mind. It's still a great story, beautifully written (although admittedly sometimes the dialogue seems a bit stilted, other times it's clever, other times it's perfectly realistic), beautifully directed (lots of angles and attention to detail), and beautifully acted.

So many players who don't get screen credit, such as Martin Turner who plays Mose, and one who plays Mammie is not even credited here at IMDb, which is rare, give more than adequate performances.

I watched this at YouTube, compliments of Westerns on the Web (and God Bless everyone concerned), and marveled at several levels of superb B Western entertainment.

Just one example: There is a super fight scene between the hero and the action heavy (well played by the great Karl Hackett), one of the best I've seen. Again I have to wonder why Bob Steele never played in a boxing film. He sure had the moves and athleticism.

"Cavalry" is an excellent title, an excellent movie, and I highly recommend it. (Admission: I really hate it when stars I like play Yankees, but I follow the advice sung by Tom Lehrer and I sublimate, sublimate, sublimate. So I enjoyed the movie.)

By the way, watch for Bud (sometimes called Budd) Buster in a really surprising role, and enjoy how director Bradbury films it.

Robert Bradbury writes and directs a wonderful movie that encompasses many elements. The initial focus is the Reconstruction and the turbulent era following the Civil War. However, there is an incredible depth involving love, redemption, sacrifice and forgiveness. At the beginning, Bob Steele is in a moving scene as a Yankee soldier with the Confederate General he saved. Another is when Frances Grant and her Uncle Lafe (Earle Ross) being burned out by guerrilla warfare. These opening scenes set the stage for the captivating drama and great acting performances to follow. Budd Buster plays a dual roll as Honest Abe and the wagon master. This is only to be matched by the most versatile actor ever, Hal Price along with henchmen Karl Hackett and Ed Cassidy. The Bob Steele scenes communicating with the Indians involves the intricacy and subtleties that should have been used more often in this period. Also, the story of the wagon train was brilliantly interwoven in Bradbury's storyline. Cavalry is a wonderful movie and I hope someday there is a remake.

I was surprised that so many reviewers here wax lyrical over this-maybe I'm missing something! Anyway:

Robert N. Bradbury-directed oater with his wooden son-in-law Bob Steele; infantile script but thankfully the proceedings are brisk; hoary tale set just post-Civil War: evil renegade raiders escape West and join up with a nutter trying to establish an independent state (presumably Texas); Bob sorts it all out and even turns the Indians against the rogues; there is the obligatory saloon fistfight with windmill-like arms flaying, painfully slow speech (reading boards?), and the goodie eavesdropping on the baddies from 3 open paces! There is also obvious stock footage. The usual mistaken identities are all resolved in the end, and the gal's supposed dead Pa turns up courtesy of Bob.

I found this on a specialist Western site-just as well as I doubt that any mainline channel would now show this-even with a warning-as there is quite an extended sequence near the beginning where the Southern gal and her uncle tell their slaves that they are free-this inspires a sorrowful musical "Gospel Spiritual" lament with much eye rolling and hand wringing as the "Massers" depart! Quite cringey even allowing for the era in which it was made.

Ticked off in my master encyclopedia, never to be seen again...