La horda salvaje

Superior Republic oater despite a title that suggests Ghengis Khan. Good screenplay, excellent cast, and occasionally good locations, lift this production beyond the routine. Most of all, there's the unsung Bill Elliot in the lead. He wasn't handsome and couldn't sing, but he was a good convincing actor who could make you believe his character was real. And best of all, no one, including Duke Wayne, was better at being plain ornery. Elliot's voice always had an edge to it that conveyed real authority. Unlike most cowboy heroes, he could have played the black hat as easily as the white one.

I like the way the screenplay makes the characters more complex than usual. In fact, notice how bad guy Grant Withers wins almost every argument with Elliott, the other ranchers and the judge. He's shrewd, knows the law and people, and is nicely underplayed by Withers. Too bad, steely-eyed Bob Steele never got the big break his talent deserved. Probably it was because of his bantam size; nonetheless, he's almost scary as the hired gunsel.

Adding his usual colorful character is that unmistakable motor-mouth Earle Hodgins as the gun huckster. Did Hollywood ever have a faster talker or a bigger snake oil salesman. Even the ladies are a cut above the cowgirl average. Booth comes across as the kind of gal any guy would like to hitch up with. Include in the mix, professional weasel Will Wright and professional nice guy Noah Beery Jr., and the movie amounts to an Oscar night among B-movie all-stars.

Joe Kane puts it all together, though a couple of seams do show-- how did Elliott get away from army custody and show up suddenly in town. Was that me, my video copy, or a lapse in the editing. Anyway he arrives just in time with a cut face and no explanation of how he got away. But that's okay. The effortless barn dance more than makes up for a possible editing lapse. So, if you've got a spare 90 minutes, give this classic 1940's face-off between a big land baron and the little guys a try.

Yes, as a French movie buff, the translation of this western title is the same as THE WILD BUNCH - LA HORSE SAUVAGE one; and the most funny is that another Joseph Kane's western, made several years later, MAVERICK QUEEN, had its tile translated in French by the same title : LA HORDE SAUVAGE. Follow me? That said, this purely typical Republic pictures western is rather good, despite Wild Bill Elloit's presence; he, who was used to Z westerns, fifty minutes long. Just good.

On the run after killing a man in self-defense, Ringo (Bill Elliot) lies low in a cattle town that isn't as quiet as he hoped it would be. A power-hungry landowner is trying to push out the local ranchers. When Ringo's sense of justice gets provoked, he throws in with the ranchers to fight against proctor and his band of hired guns. But doing the right thing means risking capture and death, especially when the army puts Ringo's brother, Mike, on his trail.

A fine Bill Elliott western that is intelligently scripted, and features some depth in the characterisation. Grant Withers as Proctor- villain -isn't a pencil twirling villain and has some scruples such as not turning to gunplay, especially against older folk, but his overpowering ambition and losing the leading lady makes him go totally bad. He's quite a shrewd character who seems to be winning the range war, and even manages to oust Ringo - Bill Elliott - out of the way. Speaking of which, Wild Bill acts brilliantly as the gunfighter running from the cavalry and ends up helping the ranchers, and without a gun. Well not until the very end.

The Savage Horde is an engrossing western featuring great performances and nice gunplay at the end. Bob Steele does fine as trigger-happy gunslinger on Proctor's side called Dancer.

Johnny Ringo appears in many westerns and there are many stories about him. No one knows which are true or false. Here he appears with a brother, who is an Army Lieutenant.

Ringo shot and supposedly murdered another lieutenant and the Army is after him. He holes up in a town where his old flame has a restaurant without his gun.

There is a range war going on and he gets drawn into the side of the good guys. He has to pick up his gun again to save the day. Off he rides into the sunset with his brother to face charges vowing to his girlfriend he will return.

Of course he will.

Bill Elliott does a good job. He has been in over 200 films by the time he made this, so he had a bit of experience. Another veteran (Noah Beery Jr.) was also here as Ringo's partner.

Well above average western from Republic Studios. Elliott is 'Ringo', on the run and Davis is his brother, in charge of a cavalry command chasing him. Ringo stops to visit old girl friend, and becomes embroiled in a range war. Withers portrayal of a psychopathic mogul is convincing. Great supporting cast-Noah Beery Noah Jr. is the 'Kid' and Hamblin provides some enjoyable tunes along the way. Supposedly the title "Savage Horde" was a tribute, by director Kane, to actor Grant Withers, who appeared in "the Fighting Marines", a serial, containing a chapter titled "The Savage Horde." Unexpected climax can leave you wondering. A good western.