Empty Saddles

This enormously entertaining B western, combines sentimentality, mysticism, humor and interesting casting and acting as Buck buys a haunted ranch and turns it into a Dude ranch.

The strong story is supported by a likable cast, including silent comedian Gertrude Astor in a funny turn as a society lady who thinks the entire scene too too romantic, and a surprisingly strong Louise Brooks in a near-the-end role and some excellent musical backing.

Although her appearance in two late silent German movies made Miss Brooks an interesting star and her memoirs of the Hollywood scene made her important, in truth she rarely gave strong, animated performances. Although the camera loved her, she sleep-walked through most of her roles and was miscast in others. Her blank affect in most silent movies made it impossible for the audience to gain anything from her performances. Indeed, it was this blankness that the Europeans used to produce characters ruled by chaotic circumstances in a crazed world. However, in most of her movies, when called upon to act, she did not. This movie, surprisingly, is different. However, it was too late to save her career.

But here, everyone works. This what a Saturday afternoon oater should be and all too rarely was.

Only reason to watch this dreary grade-B Western is to see Louise Brooks, the difficult but fascinating star of the late silent period. Brooks was a rising starlet in silent films, landed a few starring roles (the excellent Beggars of Life) but was too difficult for Hollywood to bother with. Brooks made 2 silent films in Germany (not France as the other review states), and it's on these 2 films--Pandora's Box and Diary of a Lost Girl--that her reputation has rested. Her refusal to refilm parts of The Canary Murder Case as a talkie sealed her fate. She sporadically attempted to get back into Hollywood films, but she never made much headway. She was relegated to supporting parts and B films. Toward the end of the 30s, she was cast only in Westerns, so at age 32, she left films forever. Brooks is not very good in this film, but it's interesting to see this fabled star playing an unexotic character. She's still a beauty and has a fine voice. But like Frances Farmer and Clara Bow and a rafter of other stars who crossed the studio system, none of that mattered. Her book of essays--Lulu in Hollywood--is still a great read. Buck Jones and Gertrude Astor, who has a small part, had also been in silent films. But beyond Brooks, Empty Saddles is boring claptrap.

Louise Brooks has a legendary reputation as an actress during the silent era, with films such as "Pandora's Box" and "Miss Europe" to her credits. I think most is because she wrote a memoire about her career (short as it was) as well as a few folks championing these two films as classics. Regardless, many today are interested in her and might be surprised to know that in the 1930s, she made very few films...and what she did make were mostly B-westerns. But if you do watch "Empty Saddles" to see her, you may be disappointed as she's not particularly good here...mostly because her character isn't written all that well.

As for the story, Buck (Buck Jones) stumbles upon an abandoned old ranch. Apparently, there was some sort of murder there and folks are afraid of the place. But Buck sees promise and decides to make it into a Dude Ranch...much to the consternation of nearby sheepmen and cattlemen. As a result, they try their best to make his business go bust.

The film surprised me, not just because of Brooks' bland role but because of all the singing. Jones was never a singer in films but others are there to sing instead. If you like the singing, you'll be pleased. I would have preferred more Buck Jones and less singing.

So is it any good? Not really. I really think the film was flat and could have used some comic relief and/or a good sidekick. As it is, it's just okay...even for a Jones flick.

Sadly, Miss Brooks did not have her alluring "Bob" hairdo that drives most men wild. Nevertheless, she was a fine actress in this role it's a pity she wasn't utilized more by Hollywood.

I think the key to enjoying this movie is getting a decent quality copy. The quality of this film varies widely depending upon the source. Several DVDs are available, but many are made from old VHS tape.