La Ville fantôme

Winds of The Wasteland is a vastly underappreciated film. Having seen most of John Wayne's pre 1939 westerns (including some of his more highly regarded ones such as Randy Rides Alone, Hell Town aka Born To The West, Blue Steel, West Of The Divide, Sagebrush Trail and Riders of Destiny) this is the most entertaining. It has a great story that is well played by the primary actors, though the doctor is a little wooden. Of all Wayne's shorts, I would first recommend this one. Get the colourized version if possible. It may be heretical to say, but the colourized shorts are more enjoyable and most are available.

I recently watched the John Wayne western Winds on the Wasteland (1936) on Prime. The plot depicts the end of the Pony Express and the shift to traditional government postal services. Recently laid-off men offer to assist a local stagecoach company in securing the government mail contract, but challenges lie ahead.

Directed by Mack V. Wright (The Man from Monterey), the film stars John Wayne (Stagecoach), Phyllis Fraser (Little Men), Lew Kelly (Paradise Express), Lane Chandler (Samson and Delilah), and Douglas Cosgrove (Lady Killer).

This is a dated western with varying degrees of success in its elements. The acting and dialogue feel somewhat stiff and inauthentic at times. However, the elite attire, settings, and props immerse the audience in the era. The storyline is compelling and holds attention, though the fake backgrounds and staged scenes haven't aged well.

In conclusion, Winds on the Wasteland is an average western with redeeming elements that make it a must-see for genre enthusiasts. I'd score this a 5.5-6/10 and recommend watching it once.

This is my favorite B-Rater from the 30's of John Wayne!!!!! Ilove this movie, and the COach race and all, action pack john wayne 54 Minute movie that will keep u interested all through the movie! I have the pleasure to Own the VHS Copy of this movie and all its B-Rating Oater Glory right now!!!!!! John Wayne is my favorite actor of the 30's always have been and always will be. And for who ever doesn't like this movie or John wayne, then you really don't know good from bad!!!!!

On a end note, who ever likes b-rated westerns from the 30's this is a great choice to pick.

I HOPE THIS Review Helps you!!!!!!!

"Winds of the Wasteland" was made following the 1935 merger of Lone Star/Monogram and Mascot Pictures into Republic Pictures. With the added resources of the old Mascot serial group, the production values of John Wayne's series improved greatly. The budgets were certainly bigger and that can be seen in this particular entry.

The story has two ex Pony Express riders, John Craig (Wayne) and Larry Adams (Lane Chander) starting up a stagecoach line. They are duped into signing an agreement with bad guy Drake (Douglas Cosgrove) to operate the line between two towns one of which is deserted except for the disgruntled doctor (Sam Flint) and jack of all trades Rocky (Lew Kelly).

Doc's daughter Barbara (Phyllis Fraser) arrives unannounced and tries to convince her father to return east with her. Craig convinces them to remain and await the results of the upcoming stagecoach race for a $25,000 mail contract. Drake, along with his henchmen Bob Kortman and Yakima Canutt, among others, try to thwart our hero at every turn.

The highlight of the film, and a sequence that sets it apart, is the climatic and very well staged race between Drake's coach and that of Craig. Veteran director Mack V. Wright gives us plenty of action and a realistic race to boot. Having Yakima Canutt around meant many visually exciting stunts. The outcome of the race of course is never in doubt nor is the fate of the villains.

Jon Hall (using the name Charles Lochner), appears briefly at the beginning of the movie as a Pony Express rider who is seen talking to Wayne and Chandler. Also in the same sequence is veteran "B" western performer Ed Cassidy.

This was one of the best of Wayne's early "B" westerns.

The arrival of the telegraph put Pony Express riders like John Blair (the Duke)and his pal Smoky out of work. A race will decide whether they or stageline owner Drake get the government mail contract.

Funniest part of this John Wayne b-western is when Wayne and his partner buy the stage line in a town and it turns out they were given a dud - a ghost town. But soon the population spikes and Wayne is racing a stagecoach in competition with the others, and that's the most exciting part of the film. Apart from that, it has a bit of humour and romance. It's entertaining at least. Wayne is charismatic like always.