Cavalcade of the West

There isn't anything that could be described as a cavalcade in this oater. Hoot Gibson is the first rider signed up for the Pony Express. Rex Lease is the man Hoot aces out for the job, so he takes up robbing Hoot and a stagecoach with the other principal cast on it. There's a bit of a backstory that makes it apparent how it's going to turn out, but there's nothing like a procession, formal or otherwise in the film.

Hoot doesn't get to do much in the way of his sly humor, and it's Rex who gets much of the interesting characterization. Marion Shilling is present for the two leads to compete for, and there's a nice role for Nina Guilbert as Hoot's mother, but except for people who are anxious to see anything Hoot was in -- or Rex -- it's an undistinguished B western.

When their wagon train is ambushed, two young brothers are left at the mercy of their attackers. "Asa" (Rex Lease) is adopted by the gang's leader and matures into a bit of an hooligan. The other, "Clint" (Hoot Gibson) manages to make it to safety with their mother and he grows up to become a Pony Express rider - much to the chagrin of his unawares sibling who is now called "Ace". It's when this latter man robs another stagecoach, one that is carrying "Mary" (Marion Shilling) - who just happened to be the love of "Clint" - that things start to hot up. Determined to free his gal and ensure that "Ace" pays for his crimes, the question is: will the two ever realise just whom the other is, and might they ever manage to reconcile with each other and their elderly mother (Nina Guilbert)? No, jeopardy isn't high in the list of priorities as this procedural western kills an hour, and the standard of production is static with some pretty brutal editing, too. That said, there is plenty of gun-toting and action and though the romantic scenes are cringeworthy, it's still got a little of the pioneering spirit to it. It's not a film you'll ever remember watching; the acting does little to change that as it remains uncomfortably tethered to it's silent film roots.

The title, "Cavalcade of the West" as with most "B" oaters of the day has nothing to do with the story. The story is about two brothers and the introduction of the Pony Express.

The film opens with a pioneer family moving to catch up with a wagon train heading west. On the trail they meet long winded peddler Windy Harper (Adam Goodwin) who provides the comic relief in the picture. One day the family is attacked by bandits and the father John Knox (Steve Clarke) is killed. Their youngest son Asa (Barry Downing) is carried off by the bandits leaving the mother (Nina Gilbert) and the oldest son Clint (Jerry Tucker) to fend for themselves.

Fast forward twenty odd years and we catch up to Mother Knox and son Clint (Hoot Gibson). Clint is now a horse wrangler who wants to join the fledgling Pony Express being run by George Christian (Earl Dwire) as well as having an eye on his daughter Mary (Marion Schilling). Into town rides all in black gunman Ace Carter (Rex Lease) who tries to move in on Clint's territory and his girl.

Being rejected for the Pony Express job, Ace decides to set Clint up for a Pony Express and later a stagecoach robbery. Of course it's not to hard to figure out who Ace really is and Clint suspects something is going on. Later when Ace is about to be hanged, Clint comes to his aid and.........

Hoot Gibson had been a ridin' and ropin' champion in his youth having worked in several wild west shows of the day. He became a major star in the 1920's earning in excess of $14.000 per week. Alas poor old Hoot couldn't manage his money too well and soon lost his fortune and wound up in poverty row quickies in the 30s and 40s. This film was a part of his final starring series. He later re-surfaced in the Trail Blazer series with Ken Maynard and Bob Steele in the early 40s.

Earl Dwire was a fixture on poverty row in the 30s. He's probably best remembered for his many bad guy roles in John Wayne's Lone Star series of 1933-35. Rex Lease too was a fixture in the "B" movie industry having appeared in many serials and westerns of the period.

Not a bad little programmer.

Forget the pretentious title, but don't forget to watch this movie, first chance you get. It is volume three of a set called "Legends Of the West," one of those compilations filled, mostly, with junk but, every now and then featuring some gems.

"Cavalcade Of the West" is the brightest gem. It stars a real cowboy, Hoot Gibson, who looks more like a mild-mannered office clerk. Looks deceive. Watch how he mounts and rides his horse - and watch how he emotes in a part that calls for heart.

You have to pay close attention from beginning to end to fully appreciate this beautiful story, and how it is told. I don't choke up easily, but this movie captured my emotions.

It was made in '36 so it is a little creaky. It goes for the familiar every now and then, but there is nothing in it that is not important, nothing that will not capture your heart and fascinate you.

The movie was a total surprise and a most pleasant one. Gibson and Rex Lease are excellent and, by the way, too many of the few reviews gave away way too much of the plot. These guys are fascinated by their prose.

Bottom line: If you can get your hands on this Platinum release (P.O. Box 2798 in La Crosse, Wisconsin 54602) grab it. I paid $5 for mine at a Big Lots.

As far as I'm concerned, this is a must-see which you will want to see, and savor, several times.

This is my favorite Hoot Gibson movie. It all starts when Hoot's dad gets shot and his brother (Rex Lease) gets kidnapped and becomes an outlaw. Hoot declares "the mail must go through" and becomes a Pony Express rider. Adam Goodman plays the flamboyant salesman Windy and provides great comic relief throughout. Earl Dwire has never been better as George Christman trying to kick start the Pony Express. Marion Shilling, who was taught how to ride by Buck Jones plays it just right as Hoot's love interest. The story line is very intriguing of brother against brother, redemption and Hoot spreading the Gospel. What truly makes is movie so special is the ending that is truly momentous.