The Texas Tornado

Texas Tornado was one of a series of films Frankie Darro and Tom Tyler made for the Film Bookings Offices in the last years of the Roaring Twenties. In all, they made 26 films together between 1925 and 1929. Sadly, most of these films have been lost or destroyed. In these movies, Frankie was often seen galloping full speed atop his fierce Shetland pony with his small dog Beans racing as quickly along side the pony. Both Frankie and Tom were remarkable stunt men. It is said that Frankie idolized strongman Tom, and the two worked well together on screen in these popular films.

Texas Tornado is one of the few FBO films available for viewing. The existing footage was found in Europe. The film may have about 10 minutes or so missing, but those missing parts don't really distract from the story.

Texas Tornado moves from beginning to end like a full throttle Tornado. There are hardly any pauses in the action that builds up to its inevitable conclusion. This film has some terrific action, horse riding, and fierce fist fighting as Tom and ten year old Frankie out-ride, outrace and outfight the outlaws who are after oil found on the Briscoe-Martin lands. There are some remarkable stunts, especially the one the two do on a high wire. Frankie was a member of the Flying Johnsons, an aerialist act. Tom was a record setting champion weight lifter as well as a fantastic rider, and stuntman. These fantastic skills help bring this film together to make it enjoyable to watch despite the unfortunate condition of the print.

"The Texas Tornado" is a gem of a Tom Tyler silent film from FBO, mainly because it has survived and been transferred to DVD (Sinister Cinema). Only a few minutes of this print are missing although a press release in the The Honolulu Advertiser dated August 20, 1928 does mention one of the many fight scenes, this one which takes place on top of an oil derrick on the Briscoe Ranch in the film. There is plenty of non-stop action in the movie, along with some tender moments shared between Tom and Nora Lane and Frankie Darro. Darro idolized Tom Tyler in real life and it shows throughout the story. Even though it wears a B-western label, "The Texas Tornado" is recommended for general family fare or silent film fare.

Even if part of "The Texas Tornado" is missing, what is here is just extraordinary!

Great cast, with Tom Tyler, Frankie Darro, and the lovely Nora Lane (whose birthday anniversary it is, 11 September, as I watch the excerpts of this movie), helmed by a very capable director, Frank Howard Clark, who also co-wrote the screenplay.

The stunt work is simply amazing, and pre-dates the choreography invented by the great Yakima Canutt.

That stunting and the directing and editing, with the crackerjack cast, work together perfectly to create an excellent film.

This is the third review of "The Texas Tornado," and the first two are better. I urge everyone to read them and get the history as well as an endorsement. (I salute the writers!)

I just want to add that Tyler and Darro deserve far more acclaim than they get today, and anyone watching "The Texas Tornado" must surely agree.

They make an excellent team. And "The Texas Tornado," available in five clips at YouTube.com, is as exciting and well made as any movie I've seen lately.

I highly recommend "The Texas Tornado."