Pals of the Saddle

Remember Saturday mornings at the movies? This is a perfect example of the memories. Almost an hour of good guys, bad guys, pretty gal in trouble and gun play. Three saddle pals stop foreign spies from smuggling a dangerous chemical into Mexico. The chemical is used to make poison gas. Fast horses and stray bullets travel with the familiar generic background music.

John Wayne, Ray 'Crash' Corrigan and Max Terhune are the saddle pals. Doreen McKay is the government agent that needs help catching the bad guys.

This film begins with the announcement that war has broken out in Europe and that the United States has announced it neutrality. To that effect, with the discovery in the American Southwest of an important mineral known as monium, which is useful in the production of poison gas, the Roosevelt Administration has instituted a strict embargo on the product preventing its export. Needless to say, this doesn't sit well with some of the countries currently at war--with one in particular intent on acquiring sufficient quantities at all costs. What this nation doesn't count on, however, is a head-to-head confrontation with the Three Mesquiteers who just happen to stumble upon their smuggling operation. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was the first film in the series to feature John Wayne in the role of "Stoney Brooke" (typically played by Robert Livingston). Quite frankly, although I was fond of Robert Livingston in that role, I have to say that John Wayne performed at least as well--if not better. Be that as it may, although rather short (approximately 55 minutes) and quite dated, I enjoyed this film, and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

An American Western; A story about three cowboy pals known as the Three Mesquiteers who befriend a woman and then are involved in foiling enemy agents who plan to smuggle poisonous gas into Mexico. This is the first in a long series of films based on the Western novels of William Colt MacDonald involving a trio of travelling cowboys set in the modern West. It's a formulaic oater of modest means but it keeps a good brisk flow of drama. The plot is protracted and the falsely accused of murder device is well-worn. John Wayne is lively and has presence as the hero with the stubble. Doreen McKay as a strong female character makes their scenes together attractive.

If you have any partiality towards B oaters then this is impossible not to like. In fact, it is in my Top 10 for this category of less-than-A sagebrush sagas. Some complain the emphasis in the Wayne Mesquiteer movies was on him and not the group. I think the camaraderie aspect is handled with gusto by director George Sherman right up front in the story and suitably reinforced throughout the plot. Granted, Max Terhune as Lullaby Joslin has too many "I'll look after the horses!" moments but he is not left to get lost. Ray Corrigan as Tucson Smith has wonderful times of camera mugging, a comedic style for which he has never been properly acknowledged. John Wayne, is, well, John Wayne, a presence to be reckoned with. The Duke's "Listen Mr. Big Chest" remark to Corrigan as they duel verbally over the femme interest is a great moment. Undoubtedly unscripted.

This Mesquiteer epic also has more plot, more action and more stunts than most in the series. Hey, and a flag-wavin', patriotic story line that takes you right back to a kinder era. Herbert Yates, the head of Republic Pictures, obviously knew what (who) he had on contract and was actually investing in his product. It shows throughout the picture. The is a big B. And when the Mesquiteers do that triple-tandem leap onto a moving covered wagon, well, you've got all the thrills, all the action and all the spirit of "all for one, one for all" trigger trio cowboy flick any fan could stand.

Pals of the Saddle (1938)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

The first of eight Three Mesquiteer films John Wayne made for Republic from 1938-39. In the film, Wayne is accused of murder so he and the two others must try and clear his name while bringing down bad guys trying to sell poison gas. This is one of the better films in the series that I've seen. Wayne is his usual self, although he certainly wasn't the legend he was to become. The story movies pretty fast at 55-minutes and the supporting cast adds nice support. The fight scenes are all pretty well done.