Hell-Fire Austin

Hell Fire Austin can be considered a slapstick comedy as much as a western. The appeal of titular character and his streetwise Brooklyn friend is very much based on the Laurel and Hardy model, with the two guys not particularly enjoying each other's company though it has become essential, because it's better than being alone.

It's a curious little film. I have seen way too many cheap free domain westerns not to consider this different. From the very start you know this will at least be entertaining, and a times even look like a early spoof of the genre. Its start is actually a little surreal. A bunch of discharged soldiers, looking bored, almost look right at the camera and seem to be going 'now what do I do?'. And all of a sudden, Hell Fire Austin without warning comes into the scene, riding his horse with the film sped up, and well the film begins.

The plot is very simple - too simple. The two help a poor lady from having her horse stolen, and Hell Fire Austin wins a horserace with it. It moves slow and towards the end it's almost frustrating. But it's better than a lot of films like it, and has an original kind of charm.

Not the greatest, but entertaining nevertheless For some odd reason, I found 'Hell Fire Austin to be an appealing little Western. Surprising in the fact that a) I've just had it to my keister with westerns, and b) The print I saw of this was extremely bad. I think it has to do with the fact that it doesn't take itself too seriously, and the fun partnering of Ken Maynard and Nat Pendelton. The story itself is a bit confusing, something about Maynard being recruited to race a horse for a outback race, and the efforts by a chief rival of the girl who hired him to stop him from winning the race at all costs. There were some large pieces missing it looked like, so there was some logic gaps. Like why was Maynard fired from his first employer? Mind you, even with the whole story in place, a lot of strange logic errors happen anyways.. How did they get a horse in the 2nd floor of a motel? And why would the police capture Maynard's sidekick when he goes out to do something and demand to know where Maynard is, when all they could have done is just followed him back where he came from? Still, logic issues aside, I ultimately enjoyed this light piece of western fluff.

This B-movie stars Ken Maynard and Nat Pendleton. This is an odd pairing, as Maynard plays a cowboy and Pendleton an Eastern mug. The two meet in the army and when they are discharged. Maynard tells Pendleton all about how great it is in Texas as well as how well-known and beloved he is and convinces him to come with him. However, when they arrive, there is no big reception and it turns out Maynard is full of hot air. In fact, they soon end up getting arrested and put on a work crew. But when nearby rancher sees how great he is with horses and gets the pair paroled to her. The plan is to have Maynard ride her prize horse in an upcoming race. And, if it wins, she'll collect a big prize--which they need, of course, to pay off the mortgage. What she doesn't know, however, is that one of her most trusted friends is actually working hard to guarantee she'll fail.

While the film is predictable, it's still a very good B-movie. Much of it is due to Maynard's nice screen presence, his amazing trick riding and a likable sidekick (Pendleton). Good enough that I'd like to see more Ken Maynard films--even if this print was very choppy.

By the way, if you get a chance, read Maynard's IMDb biography. Rarely have I ever seen one so incredibly negative! It even says that 'Maynard was widely considered to be an arrogant jackass'! Wow...that's harsh! Also check out Pendleton's. While Pendleton's is very scant, he was a Columbia University grad, Olympic silver medal wrestler and professional wrestler before going to Hollywood.

Ken Maynard and Nat Pendleton get out of the army and head out to the wide open spaces. Soon they're in trouble, but Ken agrees to ride Ivy Merton's horse, Tarzan, in the big race. The roblem is that not only is Maynard wanted for escaping jail, but Alan Roscoe has a note payable on demand, with Tarzan as the security, and he's demanding now!

It's a comedy western, but director Forrest Sheldon directs his actors at such a slow speed of line readings -- or perhaps they can't speak any faster -- that it's rather dull in that department. Even so, Ted McCord's camerawork is excellent, and his shooting the background out around Lone Pines is quite lovely. He had been in the camera department since 1917, and by the end of the decade would be shooting major motion pictures, picking up three Oscar nominations in his career. He would die in 1976, aged 75.

This is a minor picture in the scheme of B-westerns, but fans of the genre and fans of Ken Maynard should take an hour and watch it, as they will likely find it entertaining. First of all, there is plenty of great scenery from California's Alabama Hills with the Eastern Sierra in the spring as the scenic backdrop. Second, the film is a comedy, done subtly and naturally-- never self-consciously. Third, there is plenty of horse action-- primarily horses running with all get-out in races, plus Tarzan gets to shine with some surprising antics and even puts on a disguise (it could even be argued that Tarzan is easier on the eyes than the leading lady Ivy Merton). Fourth, I think only one gunshot is heard in the whole picture...see if you can find it. The story is thin and sometimes one must suspend reality to accept the sequence of goings-on in the picture, but it is a fun and fresh diversion in the B-western array.