Texas Cyclone

B-Western starring Tim McCoy as a new guy in town who everyone mistakes for a heroic rancher who went missing years earlier and was presumed dead. Through a series of circumstances too silly to relate, McCoy decides to go along with the charade that he's this hero, and help out the man's wife (Shirley Grey) who has been struggling to keep her ranch going in the face of incessant cattle rustling by the minions of bad guy Wheeler Oakman. McCoy finds help in nice-guy ranch hand John Wayne and old coot sheriff Walter Brennan.

Tim McCoy was a major Western star in the late silent period, and continued on with B Westerns throughout the 1930's into the 40's. He was a real cowboy, adept horseman, and expert on Native American cultures and customs. He's perhaps not the strongest actor or the most intimidating screen presence, but he's genuine, and I liked him well enough. Wayne doesn't have a lot to do, but he's not bad, and you can see why he was a bit of a sex symbol during the early years of his career. Brennan, in one of his biggest roles to date, was only in his late 30's, but already playing a gray-haired old goof. As for the movie, it won't make anyone's top ten lists, but there are a lot worse in the world of quickie B Westerns.

This Tim McCoy movie is well worth seeing due to its cast. Although today McCoy is pretty much forgotten, the film also features a couple future stars--John Wayne and Walter Brennan (spelling 'Brenan' here--and wearing a lot of makeup to make him look much older). Plus, for fans of old time comedy (such as Mack Sennett and Three Stooges films) will probably recognize Vernon Dent as the bartender.

McCoy enters a new town and, oddly, everyone seems to know him and keep referring to him as 'Jim'. Apparently, this Jim was a bit of a hero who was loved by many and hated by others--but he died several years ago! Yet, in their eyes, Jim was somehow back from the dead. After talking with the bartender (with whom he develops an instant friendship), McCoy decides to pretend he is Jim to see what develops. However, this plan is sorely tested when he meets Jim's widow--who also thinks he's Jim! Using an old movie cliché, she faints at the sight of him. Soon he strikes up a friendship with John Wayne (who, for once, plays the sidekick role) and, along with some friends from back in Texas, they set out to set things right.

While this is a pretty standard B-western (aside from the cast), it is a nice film to watch simply because the DVD is of such a nice quality. Unlike many of Wayne's early Bs, this one is in nearly pristine condition and even has DVD captions in three languages (including English). In addition, the acting and script is a bit better than you'd normally find in a low-budget western. While the film won't change your life and the whole mistaken identity idea is silly if you think about it, it's well worth seeing if you enjoy the genre...or if you have an hour to spare and want to try one of these old-time films.

By the way, I'd like to explain my score of 7. This is relative to other Bs of the era as well as indicative of its watchability today. for what this is, it's pretty good. Also, if you like this one, McCoy and Wayne also did one other film together--"Two-Fisted Law".

A classic, innocent western. Fun and, at times, funny. John Wayne as Steve is worth the whole 58 minutes. Tim McCoy over acts like nothing I've ever seen and the whole movie is simply enjoyable. Find it if you can.

Texas Cyclone (1932)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Texas Grant (Tim McCoy) rides into a small town where he's immediately mistaken for a man named Rawlins who died years earlier. Pretty soon this mistake has people taking shots at his life so Texas must try and find out what happened to Rawlins.

Texas CYCLONE certainly isn't a masterpiece but it's a fairly entertaining "B" Western from the era when it seems like at least two of these were being released each week. This one here benefits from having a very familiar cast, which should keep film buffs glued to the screen.

The film is pretty much what you'd expect from a Western from this era. It clocks in at just a hour and features a rather routine story that leads to our hero being heroic and of course there are some nice shoot outs. The film benefits from McCoy's fine performance, although I must admit his constant "I must look like this fella Rawlins" got annoying. The supporting cast includes a young John Wayne and Walter Brennan as well as Vernon Dent who steals the show as the bartender.

This is one of our favorites and we watch it several times a moth. Tim's background in the military seems to have given him a leading man's bearing in his films. We love them all. Code of the Cactus, Six Gun Trail, The Fighting Renegade, just to name a few. In these particular three and others, Tim plays dual roles and they are loads of fun. As for Texas Cyclone, we love seeing John Wayne in one of Tim's movies. He did some movies before but he is so charming in this one. Watch closely and you see some of his trademark gestures and his signature laugh. Although Harry Carey taught John Wayne to walk his iconic walk in the future, he did just fine here. I don't want to forget to mention Tim's horse Pal. He often looks like he thinks he is in a parade dancing through the streets. A fantastic addition and partner to any film.