Code of the Cactus

Even though the version I was watching had a big bite taken out -- apparently at least one reel missing -- this was an exciting and very well done Western movie.

Starring Tim McCoy, one of the best of the cowboys, "Code of the Cactus" had a sterling cast, with such shining lights as Art Davis and Kermit Maynard among the uncredited.

Usually, I don't like mixing horses and trucks; it seems anachronistic.

This time, though, there is no conflict of eras or settings, and everything fits together.

It had been a long time since I had seen Col. Tim, and though I already knew he was a great cowboy, it turns out he's a pretty good actor, too.

And Art Davis, who has starred in some dismal features, showed here he could by gosh sing.

Too often, low-budget features limit the number of speaking parts, but "Code of the Cactus" has a plenitude of characters given a chance to show that, yes, they might be villains, but they're people too, and have their own individual personalities.

Ben Corbett is someone of whom I had known nothing, but he is obviously a talented actor.

My hero Dave O'Brien is here too, and even a bad movie is made better by his presence.

This is already a good movie, and Dave O'Brien with Tim McCoy makes it even a great movie.

I just hope that, when you get to watch it, it's all there.

Hubby and I watch this movie a lot. We never get tired of the many Tim McCoy movies we watch. We, of course have memorized much of the dialogue and communicate with each other in the Code of The Cactus manner. Cacti communcate in ways only Westerners understand. Hubby got a spine through his boot and into his foot after a cactus communication. We, also, love Magpie (Ben Corbett) who is in many of the Tim McCoy movies. Mr. Corbett did 283 films in his career so he was a seasoned performer with loads of personality. This film is fun and good family entertainment in my opinion. The good guys always seize the day.

Is Tim McCoy 'Lightning' Bill Carson or undercover as Miguel? Popular mainstay villain and lead henchman Ted Adams tries to figure this mystery out before it's too late. Real life rodeo champion and Roman Rider, Ben Corbett needs the help of Lightning to protect his herd. His daughter Dorothy Short is being courted by Dave O'Brien. It works well because in real life they are married. Accomplished stage and silent actor, Forrest Taylor tries to put the kibosh on the whole thing in dramatic fashion. Even though he had a limited part, it was great to see the most prolific B western bad guy Slim Whitaker be on the right side of the law for a change. Great acting, real cowboys, and good humor make Code of the Cactus a most memorable film.

I hate to be a dissenting voice, but at best this is a mediocre oater or should I say ten-wheeler. Director Newfield appears unconcerned with the staging-- for example, O'Brien's wounded in one shot and fully recovered in the next, then there's the awkward opening sequence that fails to plausibly combine the sequences. As a former front-row kid, my enjoyment of these matinees doesn't depend on their logic, but I hate to have my nose rubbed in it.

McCoy plays an eye-rolling Mexican hero with some amusing pidgin Spanish like "You'll see me later" instead of "Adios". He goes undercover in order to break up a rustling ring and find out who's in charge. At the same time, there's quite a bit of hard riding that doesn't always make sense. On the other hand, the freight truck rustlers amounts to a dramatic and novel idea that carries the hour. There's also a lot of fast shooting. Too bad, however, so few gunslingers seem to aim, especially Carson, who looks like he's "throwing" his gun and bullets instead of aiming, (thanks Newfield).

Too bad we don't see more of O'Brien and especially his then wife, the lovely Dorothy Short-- after all the ugly guys, we need a girl break. Anyway, except for the truck angle and Art Davis's delightful way with a western song, it's a forgettable oater.

Tim McCoy as "Lightening" Bill Carson poses as a Mexican rustler in order to catch the leader of a gang of rustlers. The leader Blackton (Forrest Taylor) has submitted the low beef bid to the army – the thing is he can't provide the beef for as low as he bid without stealing the cattle. The setting is contemporary and the rustlers use trucks to haul off the cattle. This is the second McCoy movie that I have seen where he disguises himself as a Mexican. Again, he pulls it off. It's funny but when McCoy is in disguise his personality shines – he smiles more, laughs more and is more animated with fewer of the steely eyed stares. He still never aims his gun when he shoots though. As much as I enjoyed this movie it did not have as interesting a supporting cast as other McCoys I've seen. Dave O'Brien was okay but to me, nothing special. Nonetheless, this is a B Western to be on the lookout for as it is highly entertaining.