Smokey Smith

It doesn't get any better than Gabby, Bob Steele and his dad Robert Bradbury. Mary Kornman from "Our Gang" fame was wonderful as Gabby's step daughter and expert horseman Warner Richmond was great as the henchman sought by Steele. Of course it's not a 30's western without the great Earl Dwire and it was great to see Tex Palmer get some dialogue for a change. Smokey Smith had some fine actors, great stunt work and an intense storyline. Get ready to be on the edge of your seat for a wonderful ride with Smokey.

Bob and his folks are on their way somewhere. While Bob is off checking out a water hole, a gang kill his folks and steal their wagon. Bob tries to pursue them, but they shoot his horse and he has to walk into town. He vows his vengeance and soon comes across the gang, led by George Hayes, who wants to steal enough money to send his daughter, Mary Kornman, back east. But there's something odd in the relationship among the outlaws, and when Bob comes across Warner Richmond, trying to rape Miss Kornman, Bob rescues her, and soon finds out the true story.

There's a lot of switching around of roles in director Robert Bradbury's usual stock company. Perennial villain Earl Dwire plays the kindly sheriff and the acting is particularly good, which I attribute to Hayes' influence. Before he got stuck playing "Gabby" for fifteen years on the big screen and the Howdy Doody show, he had been a successful stage actor, and had retired until the Crash had wiped out his investments. The weakest performance is by Miss Kornman.

There's also a big finale, in which about forty men fight a small battle, including a cavalry charge. There is some striking cinematography by William Nobles, who is held responsible for the high quality of work at Republic at Wikipedia, but about whom I can find little hard data other than 176 movies he lensed, starting in 1917. He retired in 1943, and seems to be another of the many talented craftsmen that no one knows much about because he worked in the unremarked Bs.

Mary Kornman was one of the loveliest young ladies who never, for whatever reason, managed to break into the A pictures. And she was a good enough actress, too, that she should have been given more breaks.

In "Smokey Smith" she has a few scenes in which she shows her acting ability, with facial and bodily movements, as well as her loveliness.

Playing her step-father is the very great George Hayes, long before he was "Gabby," and in a role with a twist. He was really a very fine actor.

Star Bob Steele was his usual superior self, showing his acting chops as well as his excellent cowboy skills. He has to have been among the five or ten best riders of all the cowboys stars, except, perhaps, for the rodeo stars, such as Yakima Canutt.

Speaking of Yak, that his fight-scene choreography had not yet become the industry standard shows in some of the fight scenes in these Westerns, but that does not really detract. Little Bob Steele mixing it up with the larger Warner Richmond looks rough enough.

"Smokey Smith" has a gritty and rugged look, and the special effects and makeup departments make Bob Steele and others look especially worn. Along with the excellent directing and photography, they make this movie one to watch. I do recommend it, and would have given it a higher rating except the print at YouTube seems to have an entire reel missing. Fortunately, the scene following is pretty self-explanatory, so give it a look, unless you can find a better print.