The Land of Missing Men

It's easy to see why Bob Steele was among the top cowboy stars of the 1930s and 40s. With his cheerful personality, he is totally at ease with the new medium of sound, singing a mean tune, performing his own stunts and romancing the ladies between fist fights. The unique plot line of one of his first sound films has Steele on the lam from the law, heading south towards the Mexican border with Al "Fuzzy" St. John. As they stop at a friendly saloon, they find the piano roll playing... and everyone dead inside. "Fuzzy" exclaims, "Let's clear outta here, before they blame this on us!" Thus the wheels are set in motion for a crackerjack Western adventure.

John P. McCarthy directed an excellent cast in his own script of some clever dialogue, not always well delivered, but shown against some gorgeous Western scenery, with some beautifully framed shots.

Bob Steele -- and pardon me for saying it -- looked kinda funny in a mustache, an affectation not common to him, but not unique here. But what an action star!

He even sings, several times. It did sound like him, though apparently re-recorded later in a studio. (His brother supposedly dubbed for John Wayne in those "Singin' Sandy" roles.)

Several Mexican characters were played by real Mexicans, which seems so reasonable one can't help wondering why that was not the norm. After all, it was Los Angeles and there were plenty of Mexican and Spanish people, including plenty of actors.

One of the great aspects of this early and action-packed sound Western is that there are many speaking parts, and so very many of the individual characters get a chance to stand out.

Al Jennings, a one-time real-life outlaw, plays the former sheriff and shows he actually could act.

However, Fern Emmett, playing his character's wife, steals every scene she's in. Fern Emmett has nearly 250 credits listed here at IMDb and it's easy to see why. What a performer!

One more veteran -- yes, even this early he was already a veteran -- is Al St. John. His eventual "Fuzzy" character is only embryonic here, but he shows such professional presence,

Keep watching, even though the ending is rather anti-climactic -- but visually fascinating. And again even the minor players get a chance to shine.

It's a good enough movie in and of itself, but it's even better as Hollywood history, seeing early Bob Steele and Al St. John, and late Al Jennings.

Oh, and Hank Bell has another uncredited role, but he too stands out.

There's a pretty lousy print at YouTube, and it's lousy enough you might want to watch it bits at a time. But you do want to watch it.