B-Westerns
I have always liked b-westerns, even though the plots are generally predictable, the characters one-dimensional, and technique fairly crude. However, they have a cool 'aesthetic,' especially in the early rustic talkies of the 1930s that is appealing. In this sense, they can be as evocative as the pulp magazine covers of the same era.
The movies are historically interesting in that they are one of the precursors of the serialized TV show (along with radio drama and movie serial), often following a single character/star through a series of formulaic genre stories. In fact, the early TV western is essentially a half-hour version of the earlier b-western.
As with my spaghetti western list, my ratings are genre-relative. To compare "Phantom Thunderbolt" with "Citizen Kane" or "The Red Desert" along a single scale is silly . . . though this is how most critics seem to rate films. I think most non-critics rate movies based on how much they enjoy them . . . which makes a lot of sense. However, this means that things that are unfamiliar may be rated more harshly than familiar types of movies. Most people are not familiar with silent films or Bollywood which means that they don't enjoy the movie because it is strange to them, not that it isn't a good or interesting movie. The oldest b-westerns were made almost 100 years ago, making them somewhat strange and unfamiliar.
I think about rating a movie differently: Given the expectations of the genre's audiences, how does each film stack up to the others? So if I give "Tombstone Canyon" an 8 rating it means that this is a great and successful example of a b-western. A 5 indicates a fairly average film while ratings lower than 5 are given to films that are remarkable in their badness.
I will be updating the list as I go, so check back in a few weeks!
The movies are historically interesting in that they are one of the precursors of the serialized TV show (along with radio drama and movie serial), often following a single character/star through a series of formulaic genre stories. In fact, the early TV western is essentially a half-hour version of the earlier b-western.
As with my spaghetti western list, my ratings are genre-relative. To compare "Phantom Thunderbolt" with "Citizen Kane" or "The Red Desert" along a single scale is silly . . . though this is how most critics seem to rate films. I think most non-critics rate movies based on how much they enjoy them . . . which makes a lot of sense. However, this means that things that are unfamiliar may be rated more harshly than familiar types of movies. Most people are not familiar with silent films or Bollywood which means that they don't enjoy the movie because it is strange to them, not that it isn't a good or interesting movie. The oldest b-westerns were made almost 100 years ago, making them somewhat strange and unfamiliar.
I think about rating a movie differently: Given the expectations of the genre's audiences, how does each film stack up to the others? So if I give "Tombstone Canyon" an 8 rating it means that this is a great and successful example of a b-western. A 5 indicates a fairly average film while ratings lower than 5 are given to films that are remarkable in their badness.
I will be updating the list as I go, so check back in a few weeks!
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- DirectorRobert Emmett TanseyStarsJohn 'Dusty' KingDavid SharpeMax TerhuneThe sheriff of Gila Springs is murdered by gunmen, leaving the town wide open for corruption. Three traveling cowboys known as the Range Busters ride into town to clean things up.Standard Range Rider b-western for a presumably juvenile audience. These movies were all in the 3 Mesquiteers mold and are fairly entertaining, if unsurprising and mindlessly following the established formula. Does have the bizarre touch of a series of scenes involving ventriloquism.
B-Western Rating Scale: 5 of 10 - DirectorDavid HowardJoseph KaneStarsKen MaynardTarzanEvalyn KnappKentucky loses his horse in a rigged horse race and gets framed for the murder of a stagecoach driver.
- DirectorAlan JamesStarsKen MaynardTarzanFrances LeeA cowboy called The Thunderbolt Kid comes to the aid of a town that is being threatened by outlaws who don't want a railroad to go through the town.
- DirectorElmer CliftonStarsTex RitterDave O'BrienGuy WilkersonIn this classic western, the Texas Rangers are on the case after a series of murders are committed by the Whispering Skull, a killer who strikes in the dead of night.
- DirectorElmer CliftonStarsRex LeaseLona AndreWilliam FarnumWhen some men are attacked by Indians, a survivor obtains an Indian medicine arrow. An Indian tells Blade he has found gold but will not tell him where until he has that arrow. So Blade starts killing the survivors of the attack but fails to get the arrow. One of the men he kills is John Cardigan and Kit Cardigan, a Scout for Custer, now starts looking for the killer of his father.
- DirectorAlan JamesStarsKen MaynardBob BurnsCecilia ParkerMaynard hears the cry of the weird masked "phantom" of Tombstone Canyon. The plot thickens when Maynard discovers a man with a key to his past has been murdered by the phantom.Cool Ken Maynard movie. The 'texture' of the movie is perfect b-western including the crusty actors, early-talkie technology, sets and staging, and costumes. There are some fun shots of characters moving ominously toward the camera or seen at a distance through binoculars. B-westerns really don't get much better than this one.
Basically, Ken's returns to his birthplace to discover the secret of his birthright. He becomes entangled in feud between the crooked crew of the Lazy S ranch and the mysterious black-clad figure called the Phantom who is killing them off one after the other.
The locations, especially "Tombstone Canyon" are incredible. The opening to the movie is evocative and fun. Gothic or pulp touches like the mysterious Shadow-like Phantom character are cool in this rugged landscape. Interestingly, 3 years before director Alan James helmed another movie called The Phantom (1931). Like many b-western directors, he had deep roots in the silent era.
B-Western Rating Scale: 8 of 10 - DirectorHoward BrethertonStarsBill ElliottRobert BlakeAlice FlemingRed Ryder tries to expose murderous crooks who are terrorizing ranchers into selling their land because they contain secret oil-rich deposits.Standard Red Ryder b-western from the late 1940s when the genre was increasingly focused on an audience of children. It is cool to see how they attempted to capture the feel of the newspaper comic strip, especially in the opening when Red Ryder and Little Beaver emerge from the pages of huge book. For the most part this movie is anonymous, but there is a cool fist-fight in a flaming cavern.
B-Western Rating Scale: 5 of 10 - DirectorSam NewfieldStarsJohnny Mack BrownClaire RochelleDick CurtisRancher Reynolds has fired his men and hired killers and is now using a crooked land deal to put the other ranchers off their land. Calico finds the reason why when he runs into his old nemesis Porter.IMDB commenters have been a little too-harsh in their judgements about this movie. It really isn't that bad. It is a bit leisurely, but that fits its unusual and effective use of close-ups that emphasizes the realistic, rustic character actors. Johnny Mack Brown is good as the reasonable man trying to mediate between parties in a gathering crisis. Altogether, the movie has enough of the early 1930s b-western texture to make it satisfying enough . . .
. . . until the ineffective last 15 or minutes of the films, which are filled with a lot of pointless scenes of riders racing around the landscape. The movie never really builds to a showdown, which makes it ultimately fall a little flat.
B-Western Scale: 6 of 10 - DirectorHarry L. FraserStarsBill CodyAndy ShufordDoris HillA cowboy whose friend has been swindled out of his ranch and then murdered must take care of the man's son, then he goes after the killers.Good Bob Custer western. The costuming is terrible in this movie, the acting unusually poor, and some aspects of the plot are incredibly sappy. However, when the hero turns to crime in order to correct a wrong the movie become much more interesting.
B-Western Scale: 6.5 of 10 - DirectorSam NewfieldStarsBob SteeleJean CarmenTed AdamsWhen Colt kills the men that murdered his father, he escapes his pursuers and joins Wolf and his outlaw gang. After two years Wolf breaks up the gang, deeds his ranch to Colt, and turns himself in. Now an honest rancher, things are going fine for Colt until Wolf's old gang shows up under a new leader. Colt get the Governor to release Wolf claiming the two of them can bring in the gang.
- DirectorRobert N. BradburyStarsBob SteeleNancy DrexelFrancis McDonaldKincade and Blake cause a mail plane carrying a payroll to make a forced landing in the desert. When they try to get the money, prospectors Ted and Si drive them away. With the pilot shot, Ted takes over as pilot figuring another attempt will be made and this time the Sheriff will be there.
- DirectorWilliam WitneyStarsJohn DerekJoan EvansJim DavisJet Cosgrave returns home to claim the ranch that was stolen from him, after his father's death.
- DirectorHoward BrethertonStarsBuck JonesTim McCoyRaymond HattonCorrupt businessman Mason and larcenous banker Miller combine to rustle the cattle and foreclose on the mortgages of local ranchers to gain control of the valley. but the undercover Riders thwart their plans.Solid b-western in the Three Mesquiteers mold, this time with the Rough Riders. By this time, the programmer was pretty streamlined and this one hits its beats without distractions. However, the streamlined programmers of the 1940s and 50s are, to my taste, less satisfying than those of the 1930s, which had a more rustic feel and which were still aimed at adults as well as children. 5 of 10 B western scale.
- DirectorReg BrowneStarsJohnny CarpenterLori TalbottJoan McKellenIn a throw-back to the1930's indie westerns, Red River Johnny gathers his friends (most of whom are called some variation of the name Bill) and returns to claim the heritage of his father who was outlawed.This inept b-western has gotten a lot of attention due to its many connection to Ed Wood, but this was not the reason I was interested. Director Reg Browne also directed many episodes of the western TV series 26 Men. His episodes on that show are solid, with some dynamic direction. However, this was his first project and it is pretty amateur...a so-bad-its-good type of experience. 2 of 10 B western scale
- DirectorEdward L. CahnStarsJim DavisNancy HadleyKen MayerA trail guide leading a wagon train to the West in the 1840s discovers that the U.S. and Mexico are at war.
- DirectorJ.P. McGowanStarsBob CusterNatalie KingstonBill CodyThree cowboys try to stop a crook from defrauding an orphan girl out of her money.
- DirectorElmer CliftonStarsBuck JonesDorothy FayHank MannBuck and Skeeter have been sent to investigate cattle rustling. Posing as cowhands they take jobs on Ann's ranch and learn she is receiving money by train to pay off a note that is due. When the money is robbed from the train station, Buck and Skeeter find themselves in jail accused of the robbery.
- DirectorGeorge ShermanStarsDon 'Red' BarryLynn MerrickAl St. JohnEllen has the contract for the South West Stage Line through the panhandle. Her father had the run for years and Haney, who runs the office, worked for him. But Ellen does not know that Haney is in league with Elkins and they want the stage line so they can rob the gold shipments. All they need do is stop the stage and end her contract, but that is not easy with Dave driving for Ellen.
- DirectorGeorge ShermanStarsDon 'Red' BarryLynn MerrickAl St. JohnThe telegraph is coming to Sundown and Martin, Carson, and the crooked Sheriff are out to stop it. But Johnny Barrett is there to help bring it in and he is assisted by the bicycle riding Pop Sawyer.
- DirectorJohn EnglishStarsAllan LanePeggy StewartWally VernonMolybdenum deposits can make a man rich, but Stoner finds that the deposits run under the Clayton Ranch. Judge Ballard wants the Ranch so he has Garvey shoot Steve. When Ruth blames Stoner for the death of Steve, Ballard shoots Stoner and puts the blame on Ruth, who is holding the gun. This way, Ballard has no partners. While Garvey tries to shoot Jack over and over, Jack is looking for evidence to clear Ruth and convict Ballard.
- DirectorMack V. WrightStarsJohn WaynePhyllis FraserLew KellyThe arrival of the telegraph put Pony Express riders like John Blair and his pal Smoky out of work. A race will decide whether they or Stageline owner Drake get the government mail contract.One of the best western programmers made by Wayne in 1930s, with real humor, fun characters, some great stagecoach driving, and a fun plot. It is more detailed than most b-westerns. 9 of 10 B Western scale
- DirectorRobert Emmett TanseyStarsKen MaynardEddie DeanGene AlsaceSent to investigate a payroll robbery, Marshall Rocky meets his old friends Ken, Eddie, and Max. He has the serial numbers and when Pop puts on his medicine show they get one of the bills. This enables Ken to see through Sorrell's scheme that threw the blame on an innocent rancher and he sets out to prove it.Ken Maynard's last western, made after leaving the Monogram Trail Blazers series, is pretty mediocre. Most of the screen time is filled with a medicine show or Eddie Dean singing, with little action and an unimaginative plot. The action-filled finale is pretty poorly done. Maynard career went out with a whimper, not a bang. 3 of 10 B western scale.
- DirectorJ.P. McGowanStarsKen MaynardDorothy DixTarzanSkinner and his gang are grabbing land from the ranchers. When they go after Kerry's ranch Ken stops them. Skinner frames Ken for rustling but the Sheriff is on Ken's side, and with the help of his brother Earl's Boy Scout troup they go after the gang.Average Ken Maynard programmer, probably made later in one his KBS/World Wide series. There are a few nice touches, but for the most part there is nothing special in this b-western. 5 of 10 B Western scale.
- DirectorS. Roy LubyStarsReb RussellLucille LundHal TaliaferroMarshal Reb Russell (Reb Russell), working for the Cattleman's Pretectice Association, is sent into a territory to investigate a large-scale rustling operation carried out by a well organized gang of outlaws. He is ambushed outside of town by Jerry Blake (Gene Alsace), a man he once sent to prison, and kills him in the ensuing gunfight. Red finds a note on Blake that introduces him to man called Deke. The gunfight is witnessed by Tommy Lord (Hal Taliaferro) and his girlfriend, Sue Callahan ('Lucille Lund), whose father, Wade Callahan (Lafe McKee),has been a victim of the rustlers. Sue rides for the sheriff, Curt Turner (Slim Whitaker). It turns out that the sheriff and his ten-man posse comprise most of the members of the rustling gang and have no intentions of allowing Reb to leave the area with his life intact.Ex-football star Reb Russell is not that great at delivering his lines this poverty row oater. However, there is a good gunfight in a saloon and a few funny moments, so this may be worthwhile for b-western fans. 5 of 10 B western scale.
- DirectorForrest SheldonStarsKen MaynardHazel DeaneWhitehorseFired from his job for shirking his duties, the 'Knight of the Plains' Bart Miller stumbles across a would-be stagecoach robbery and he rescues damsel in distress Betty Taylor. He takes Betty and her pretty girlfriends to the ranch of her father Bill Taylor. Meanwhile Taylor's foreman Luke Hatton is plotting to rustle his boss' herd with the aid of the corrupt lawyer Harkness.Funny, enjoyable Ken Maynard silent western about a day dreaming cowboy. Reminds me of Don Quixote. Action is well done and the plot is brisk. 8 of 10 B Western Scale