When the Daltons Rode

This story of farmers becoming outlaws when the big shots screw them over is nothing new or all that different from the Westerns of the 40's. Indeed, the film has its Hays code required ending, its requisite action scenes and the soapy love triangle. This film will not win any new devotees of the genre. But if you are fond of Westerns this a good matinee flick to throw on. A lot of it has to do with the stunt work and action scenes. While still be identifiably 40's, they stand out as impressive and even a little more realistic than you normally get from this genre and time period. The film also benefits from well-timed comic relief and a well rounded cast. This is a B Western for sure but one of the more polished ones I have seen.

Average western with a cast full of familiar faces but this is nothing special. What is Kay Francis, the essence of urban sophistication, doing in this routine oater? Sliding down the Hollywood ladder that's what. After years at the top she quarreled with the brothers Warner over money and they effectively finished her career. Here she is mid slide, freelancing at Universal and whatever studio would offer her work, she had one good part ahead in The Feminine Touch at MGM with Rosalind Russell than it was a series of junk until she ended up at poverty row studio Monogram for three minor films and a fall into obscurity and reclusiveness.

Thank goodness for the comic relief of Andy Devine or I wouldn't have had a chance to breathe! I've watched over 200 westerns in the last month (including over 95 John Wayne films) from 1926 onwards and I have to say that NONE of them had the action or pace of this one. Not to mention a stellar cast. The action scenes with horses were of the very best. There was the classic Yakima Canutt jump from the stagecoach to the horses but not just one jump but several of the Dalton's, one after the other from the same coach. There were horses jumping from moving trains and diving off cliffs into water and the pace just didn't let up. Gun play? Don't get me started! Half the budget must have gone to black powder. I don't care how you get to see this film, beg borrow or download, just get it.