Le ranch de la terreur

"Range Feud" comes to us from 1931, when Buck Jones was perhaps the strongest of the B-western heroes and when John Wayne was trying to gain a consistent presence in Hollywood. It is as if Wayne was cast here to test his appeal to B-western audiences as one more top-billed hero, of which at the time there were many. Although John Wayne's character is central to why we are all watching this film, Wayne doesn't actually have a lot to do in this film (he spends considerable time in the jailhouse or laying low), but he does a credible job when asked to contribute to the strong dramatics and pathos in this serious film.

But this is a Buck Jones show and Buck turns in another powerful performance as a determined and stoic lawman faced with choices that are not always merely either good or bad. The story of two camps of good people needing to take a stand on life-impacting issues that clearly are seen differently by them is well developed and told in such a way that the viewer also takes a stand; however, the viewer comes to realize before long that further evaluation may be demanded as the movie's expository process unfolds.

Director Sam Newfield pries some effective performances from the cast in a production that seems to have given him the luxury of time to do so. In the coming decades Newfield would grind out countless more westerns, but time and budget constraints usually limited his movies to lots of action but weak to so-so story development. But here, in this one, story is paramount and action is used to illustrate or even punctuate the story. This is one reason why Buck Jones has such an aura of mythic hero about him to this day... he looks like the perfect Western hero, acts like it, too, and seems to always find himself in powerful situations and stories that befit his persona. It is a shame that more Buck movies from the 1930's are not more readily available.

Buck 'Buckaroo' Jones and John 'Duke' Wayne were the best of the best. Wonderful performances by the star Buck Jones striking a commanding figure as the Sheriff and young John Wayne, a future legend. Buckaroo is chasing the Duke and Duke is chasing gorgeous Ziegfeld Girl, Susan Fleming. Dad Turner (Will Walling) and John Walton (Edward LeSaint) are the big story here with the cattle rustling war. It doesn't hurt the action to have the best man to stir the pot 'all time meanest villain' Harry Woods.

I love John Wayne's B-movies more than his later work, so this film was just another check-off on the list of movies I'd put on in the background while I'm editing. However, this movie has a more gripping story than many other of the films I've seen, so at the least give this film a chance.

The Range Feud (1931)

** (out of 4)

Standard "B" Western has Buck Jones playing Sheriff Buck Gordon who finds himself in the middle of rival families battling over land. Soon Clint Turner (John Wayne) is accused of killing the father of the rival family and Buck must race to try and clear his name.

THE RANGE Feud really isn't any different than countless of other Westerns that were made during this era. Heck, even by 1931 standards the film is pretty old-fashioned and using clichéd tricks that went out of style in the silent era. With that said, the film will contain a little interest thanks in large part to Wayne having a small role. While the film is mildly entertaining in its own way, can you really say people would be watching it today if it wasn't for Wayne?

The biggest problem is the fact that this is pretty much like any other cheap Western. The filmmaking is "good" enough to get a decent looking film on the screen. The story is your typical Romero and Juliet type of story dealing with a rivalry and murder. Jones makes for a good lead and I thought Wayne was pretty good in his small role. What else can really be said? If you're a fan of these types of films then it's worth watching.

I used to own an old VHS Columbia/Tri-Star video release of "Range Feud" (1931), but I gave it away several years ago. I recently replaced it with a very nice DVD print. What's interesting, and I don't know if the VHS was the same, is that the title at the beginning credits on the DVD is "Range Fued"! I often find actors' and actresses' names mis-spelled, but I've not seen too many film titles so, if ever. This is the Gail television release version from Hygo in 1953. Print quality is very good, but is dark in several places, not enough to warrant much notice, thankfully. Starring Buck Jones, Buck's co-stars are Susan Fleming and a young John Wayne, the latter fresh from his first first-name-in-the-credits starrer, "The Big Trail". Wayne is definitely relegated to second place in this film, but he's the guy they're all after - though he's innocent. He's been accused of killing Edward LeSaint, a cattle owner who's only recently come on the scene and who's been grazing his cattle in open ground possibly owned by Will Walling, and Walling is willing to begin a range war to halt the occurrence. Walling, although not Jones' father, has raised him since near infancy, and Wayne is his real son. Wayne and Jones are "best friends". Jones has been elected sheriff and now has to put Wayne in jail for the murder. He thinks Wayne's innocent, so now he must find the killer. I'll name the rest of the major cast; you see if you can pick out the baddie just by the names. It certainly won't be difficult for any "B" Western aficionado. Others in the cast include Wallace MacDonald, Harry Woods, Blackjack Ward, Frank Austin, Glenn Strange, Hank Bell, Bob Burns...that's enough. Any Western addict will know in the twinkling of an eye.

Pretty solid, if not common oater. Good actors in a well-directed piece (directed by D. Ross Lederman). Also photographed well. Lots of good riding scenes: in fact, too much of that to fill out the 64 minutes. Would have been fine at exactly an hour.