weezeralfalfa
This project was undertaken to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the existence of Texas as a political entity and the inception of the Texas Rangers as a paramilitary force to be reckoned with. Incidents were inspired by those reported in the 1935 book "The Texas Rangers, a Century of Frontier Defense". I wonder if the name of the outlaw Sam was inspired by that of outlaw Sam Bass, whose demise was largely attributed to the efforts of The Rangers?The 3 main characters initially work as a team of thieves, robbing stagecoaches and their passengers. Usually, Wahoo((Jack Oakie) would serve as shotgun on the stage, gathering information about what was being carried of interest. Jim(Fred MacMurray) and Sam(Lloyd Noland,)would holdup the stage, Wahoo pretending to shoot at them and be a victim. But, one time, Wahoo served as driver, while a Texas Ranger served as shotgun. Wahoo called off the robbery, and that was the end of this career. Thereafter, Sam split from Jim and Wahoo, pursuing rustling. In need of income, Jim and Wahoo were talked into joining The Rangers. They helped put down an Indian uprising or two, finally making the Indians retreat to a reservation, where they would be harmless. Thereafter, Jim is given the assignment to oust the menacing 'boss' of county Kimball. He insists on prosecuting the kingpin for a double murder. Everyone thinks he's crazy to risk his life, and theirs. During the trial, Jim senses that things aren't going his way. So, he badgers the reluctant key witness until he admits he saw the murders and who committed them. Then, he badgers the jury to come up with a guilty verdict. The judge gives him a 50 year prison sentence. In appreciation for instilling courage in the citizens of the county to overthrow their tyrant, they present Jim with a ranch in their county. The original idea was for Sam to become the new kingpin, but Jim nixed that idea. Interestingly, Gabby Hayes was the judge. This is the most interesting episode in the film for me. After this turn of events, Sam proceeded to make his gang the terror of Texas, committing a variety of crimes, Sam being dubbed the PokeDot bandit for his kerchief. Jim is given the task of bringing Sam in, but he refuses and quits The Rangers. But, he is arrested for past crimes with Sam. Wahoo , instead, goes in search of Sam, but is killed by Sam, for trying to double crossing him. Jim then changes his attitude toward Sam, and receives a reprieve if he brings Sam in. He finds Sam and they have a standoff, neither winning. Inviting Sam to give himself in, Sam ignores this chance and Jim eventually kills him.Especially, in the first half,Jack Oakie, as Wahoo, often acts clownish. Clearly, his brand of humor irritates some viewers, while others approve. I'm somewhere in between. I suspect that kids, in general, would give a higher approval rating. Some complain that Indians are portrayed as only rapacious barbarians. Indeed, historically, some were at times, a charge that could equally be leveled at many Europeans.Two women are featured at times. Jean Parker, as Amanda, daughter of the local commander of The Rangers. at first was put off by Jim's attitudes toward the proper rearing of a boy. But, she gradually came around, throwing herself at the confirmed bachelor, until he finally gave in....Then, there's Elena Martinez, who did womanly chores at Sam's headquarters, perhaps also serving as a 'comfort woman'.In regard to the battle between the Indians and Rangers,, where the Rangers are way up on a mountain side, looking down at the Indians, many are hitting their target with pistols, which were designed for rather close range shooting. Also, some Indians get above them, and roll a bunch of large boulders down on the Rangers, like so many supersized bowling balls. Burt Lancaster did the same unlikely stunt in "Scalphunters"See it in B&W at YouTube
mvanhoore
In the mid-thirties the Western genre was very much in decline. After the introduction of sound in the movies the big studios and the stars of Hollywood almost showed no interest in the genre leaving it up to the independent companies and the B-stars. In 1939 this would change dramatically with the release of Stagecoach and a handful other classics and for many years the Western would feature the big stars of the screen and all the great directors of Hollywood. The Texas Rangers is shot a couple of years before the revival of the genre. King Vidor decided it was a good idea to make a movie to celebrate the centennial of the state of Texas. And what other way to celebrate this fact than to concentrate on the Texas Rangers, the mix of army and police force that became legendary during the formation years of the state.The movie shows Texas as a modern Garden of Eden where hard working people tried to build up an ideal society and are impeded by the original residents (the Injuns) and villains. The solution is very simple: the Indians are tucked away in reservations (the least habitable regions) and the villains have the choice to became good citizens or been wiped out by the force of law. Sounds this a bit familiar? Wipe out all the undesirable elements in the society to create the ideal situation? Well it happened in a lot more countries in the period this movie was made. It wasn't till the seventies that another opinion on the treatment of the Indians penetrated Hollywood.The story concentrates around three outlaws. Two of them, Jim and Wahoo, are looking for the third one (Sam) in Texas. They have difficulties finding him and because they are hungry and without any money sign in with the Texas Rangers. There is also the thought to make profit of their assignment to acquire information which can be used for their criminal efforts. But before any of that plans can be worked out they have to face an Indian revolt. Jim and Wahoo play a vital role in defeating the Indians and Wahoo plans to settle with the Rangers. Jim is less sure and when he gets the order to bring back Sam (who has become a notorious villain in the meantime) dead or alive he resigns only to be jailed immediately. In his place Wahoo gets after Sam and he is murdered brutally. Jim finally convinces the mayor that he is the right man to catch Sam.The first half hour of the movie I found it very hard to enjoy it. There are a lot of scenes with studio backgrounds and a lot of wisecracks that belongs more in film noirs or screwball comedies. And there is Wahoo who rather plays a clown than an outlaw and is a very irritating character. Later there is the problem that the Indians are portrayed not as humans but as savage barbarians rather than as human beings. Their struggle for their rights and their suffering isn't mentioned and the only place they belong according to the heroic rangers is in their reservations. Also the struggle of Jim to become a good citizen isn't worked out well. He isn't a very believable outlaw in the first place. Furthermore he is put in jail because of his history after he played a heroic role in the battle with the Indians. And how are the "good citizens" beside the Rangers portrayed? As chicken-hearted cowards who don't dare to revolt against a villain who terrorize a county. So what's the reason for Jim to leave his past behind him? Love? Well, there is love story, but that is only a thin sideline in this movie.There are some pluses to this movie. Sam is a convincing outlaw who with his good looks and smile is still believable in his role as villain. He is even more sympathetic than Jim. He only murders Wahoo after he is betrayed by him and he gives Jim the chance to reunite with him. Also the scenery is beautiful. Besides some studio shots the movie was made on location (although it was New Mexico instead of Texas). The murder of Wahoo is very brutal and unexpected (I thought the sympathetic clown would survive) and filmed in the later tradition of Hawks, Aldrich and Fuller.So in the end I gave the film a meager six out of then because of the craftsmanship of King Vidor, the acting by Lloyd Nolan who plays Sam "Polka Dot' McGee and the scenery. Otherwise this movie is anything but a timeless masterpiece because of the one dimensional portrait of Indians, Rangers and most other roles.
FightingWesterner
On a whim, bandits Fred MacMurray and Jack Oakie enlist in the Texas Rangers. The two partner up with old pal Lloyd Nolan for some crooked schemes, but soon hear the call of duty, putting them at odds with their criminal lifestyle.Like his most famous film, The Champ, director King Vidor imbues this with depression-era sensibilities and sentimentality, having lovable bums MacMurray and Oakie find self-respect, romance, and a sense of selflessness, all with a young orphan in tow.Photography, direction, and action sequences are all first rate. The performances were a little dated, but adequate. Unlike others, I didn't find Oakie's good-old-boy character annoying or unrealistic.Cameo appearances by George "Gabby" Hayes and Charles Middleton (Ming the Merciless) were a lot of fun too.
