The Last of the Clintons

The Last of the Clintons isn't Harry Carey, but Victor Potel, the sharp-shooting old codger who helps Harry put away some cattle rustler and help young lovers Del Gordon and Betty Mack get together. Gordon is the brother of Tom London, who's been stealing beeves, but Gordon is an honest young idiot, and so is Miss Mack, whom Harry excuses because she's a woman.

There are some issues with the timing in this B western, as you can expect when Harry Fraser is the director, but Carey, Potel and Miss Mack do well with their line readings, and there's a rattlesnake on the loose for the final thrill of the movie. This appears to have been the first movie broadcast by the BBC, on 23 August 1937. While not the best of B westerns, it's always fun to watch Carey and listen to his slow, deliberate dialogue.

"The Last of the Clintons" is one of a series of mid 30s independent oaters starring Harry Carey. The "Clinton" of the title, for what its worth is the character of Jed Clinton (Victor Potel) who is along for nothing more than sidekick comedy relief.

Carey plays Trigger Carson a detective who infiltrates a gang of rustlers headed by Luke Todd (Tom London) and his chief henchman Pete (Earl Dwire). Carson is working with the town vigilante committee headed by Elkins (Charles "Slim' Whitaker). Elkins has a daughter Edith (Betty Mack) who is in love with Todd's brother Marty (Del Gordon). Carson manages to outsmart the rustlers and get the young lovers together by the end of the picture. The way in which London "gets his" at the film's climax shows a little imagination on the part of the film maker. Also of note is the fact that the usual big gunfight takes place at the beginning of the film rather than at the end.

Carey was always better than his material. His maturity and air of authority raised the level of these little one hour horse operas considerably. Again, he plays a father figure who straightens out a young man about to get himself into trouble.

Not bad for a poverty row quickie.

Harry Carey was one of the best of the cowboy heroes, and even at an age best described as "no longer young," he was still the hero.

Here his character is opposed by one of the busiest of great character actors, Tom London. According to one source, London was in probably in excess of 2,000 roles!

Charles "Slim" Whittaker plays a worried father, an anxious rancher, and a temporary sheriff, with his worrying daughter played by a lovely and talented, but not well known today, Betty Mack. Really, with her looks and ability, she should have many more credits, but apparently most of her roles were uncredited!

Conflict is provided by cattle rustling as well as a romance frowned upon by the aforesaid father, and some undercover investigating that gets discovered too soon.

Character Victor Potel is almost unknown today, but he plays the title role, the last of the Clintons -- which title has absolutely nothing to do with the story! I will never understand why Hollywood seemed to love pointless titles.

But Potel, Earl Dwire, Lafe McKee, and the others performing here made Hollywood movies, and especially Westerns, possible. "The Last of the Clintons" is not one of the greatest of motion pictures, but it is a very good one that I recommend.