Without Honor

Every now and then you find a real gem in the rough among the old genre films.

This is the toughest-minded Western of its type I've ever seen. There are elements here prophetic of the 'adult Western' that would come into its own in the '50s, and some elements are suggestive of what became the 'film noir' of the '40s. As a gambler out to avenge his brother's murder (really a precursor of the 'anti-hero' type that would dominate Westerns in the '60s), Harry Carey gives a bravura performance: Marlin (Carrey) is on his way to meet the gang leader. Mary: Oh, that's dangerous! Marlin: Huh? Mary: That's dangerous. Marlin (pushing his hat forward): Gosh, I hope so.

Mary. BTW, is Marlin's old flame, a woman of questionable repute who has married a bad man after being widowed and who gave her daughter away - a daughter raised by an alcoholic who beats her.

Yeah, this is not one for the kiddies. Consider for instance the fist-fights - typical barrel-house round swinging, broken chairs, etc, right? Wrong. How about close order efforts to get behind the other guy and knock him down with a gun butt. Fighting fair is for people who don't like to win.

Short, dark and handsomely made, this film is light on genre conventions and hard on impact. Absolutely remarkable for it's period. 1932? Absolutely remarkable.

Although fans of John Wayne's films will remember Harry Carey for his wonderful supporting roles, earlier in his career Carey had actually been a leading man--with many leading man roles in silent and talkies which included cowboy films as well as movies like "Trader Horn" and "Last of the Mohicans". "Without Honor" is one of his westerns where he was given the lead. Sadly, however, despite his nice and natural acting style that sets it apart from the average film in the genre, so much about the film is terrible that I just cannot recommend it for anyone.

When the film begins, Pete Marlan (Carey) meets up with his brother, a Texas Ranger. It soon becomes obvious that Pete is the black sheep of the family. While not exactly a criminal, he's a tough gambler who is far from law abiding. But when the brother is murdered, Pete joins the Rangers and goes in search of justice.

Why is this such a bad film? Well, the plot is extremely standard and offers few surprises...but what really bothered me while watching it is the acting and direction. For example, early in the film, Carey flubs a line (even fine actors do this on occasion) but the director didn't even bother re-doing the line! Additionally, Bernice (played by Mary Jane Irving) is a shrill and stupid character due to the bad acting and writing in the film. In fact, Irving's acting is so bad that I found myself laughing when she delivered some of her over-wrought lines! Another example of bad writing is when the baddies reveal the entire plan as Pete is hiding in the shadows! Who does this sort of exposition?! After all, the two guys KNEW what was happening--so why did they talk about it and the plan?! Overall, a dopey film that I wanted to like.

I wish to add to the positive reviews here of this fine B-western of 1932, "Without Honor" (no s on Honor on the opening credit). This is a delightful but mostly serious film with an interesting array of characters brought to us by some notable actors, including Mae Busch, who somehow found her way into this one and adds some excellent moments to the goings-on. Both Ms. Busch and Mr. Carey have that "silent era" stamp on their acting. Little Mary Jane Irving gives a spunky portrayal of a cute and spirited girl in distress. Veterans Tom London and good ol' Lafe McKee are valued, too. But it is Harry Carey who once again shows what magnetism he carried on screen. His acting is commanding but nuanced, and his little embellishments and subtle gestures, like flicking at his cigarette in the bar or looking down at his sleeve while talking, just remind us of what a pro he was. His magnificent voice and his authentic presence combine in the film's final three minutes to make one of the finest wrap-up commentaries to be seen in movies. You get the feeling from watching this charismatic older gentleman of the West move carefully about that everyone would respectfully get out of his way. But such is not the case, as he must remind us and them in this picture that he is not to be tangled with...he without hesitation shoots his gun with accuracy and conviction, deservedly punches out a few guys, uses a rope as a whip to teach a bad guy a lesson, risks drowning to save a damsel in distress, and even leaps from a balcony to drop onto his saddled horse before galloping off! The film has a great opening scene as two brothers happen upon one-another in the middle of a stream where they go on to discuss their recent life situations. Watch how Carey, as one of the brothers, marvelously fiddles with and adjusts his gloves as he talks. The film's tone is thus set with a fascinating exchange of words as water laps at the horses' legs . The film's serious and tense tone is confirmed a few scenes later when Mae Busch watches admiringly and carefully the movements in her bar of the entering Mr. Carey...it's all in the eyes! Wow-- this is really something! The takes are often long in this film but yet beautifully performed-- for example, the discussion between Lafe McKee and Mr. Carey in the Texas Rangers' office-- very powerfully played, as the actors use their bodies and their voiced lines. The story is involving and suspenseful, most of the acting convincing, the direction and cinematography crisp and thoughtful, and the sets perfect (I always appreciate a staircase with no railings). Even the little town's central business district is charming with a big, wide main street and chimneys far away puffing smoke. This is a "yardstick" B-western, one by which others can be measured. Be sure to find time to watch it!

Slick gambler Harry Carey returns from cleaning up in Mexico to find his younger brother, a Texas Ranger, murdered by a gang of smugglers and in possession of a letter implicating himself in criminal activity. Carey pins on the slain man's badge, setting out to clear his brother's name and nab the killers.

In all, this is a very typical, ordinary low-budget production and is often quite turgid. However, this benefits greatly from a fantastic performance by Carey, who even in an impoverished movie such as this, has much screen presence. Co-star Mary Jane Irving is awfully pretty too, even though she overacts just a tad.

Carey and Irving, along with some good scenery and sets, all make this a lot more entertaining than it should have been.

The last scene has a joking reference to Scarface, another 1932 release!

During the silent years Harry Carey was a major screen cowboy hero, but before transitioning to character roles in sound he was gradually going down the scale of studios in his western. This one Without Honor was as poverty row a western as they get.

In Without Honor Carey does a part he did a lot of on the silent screen, the good bad man. When his Texas Ranger brother is killed investigating a gang on a border town, Carey steps into the fray.

He also clears up a decades old kidnapping and reunites mother and daughter and wins mom's everlasting gratitude.

I have to say the gang really had a clever scheme at money laundering after a robbery. I'll say that the shallowness of the Rio Grande River aids and abets in this idea.

Carey fans should like this, it would have been better with a major studio values.