That phrase (above) by another reviewer summed it up so well, I used it as my summary.
I first saw Buck Jones movies on the Internet Archive (archive.org), and I generally like his flicks -- especially "Shadow Ranch," a nifty little unconventional Western.
This movie was made in 1931, so it's a little less sophisticated (plot-wise and acting-wise) than later Westerns might be. Occasionally an actor will deliver a line in a sort of melodramatic, "Perils of Pauline" manner.
But for the most part, it's a good job done by all. John Wayne especially has a natural, winning manner, never melodramatic. The female love-interest, too, gave a good, natural performance, as well as Buck Jones.
One thing puzzled me -- at one point the heroine goes into a back room, then comes out and says (approximately), "I just called the doctor, and he'll be over soon." Was that a clinker by the writers, indicating she used a telephone? I don't think this movie is intended to be in that "cusp" period, 1890's or so. (When DID telephones appear?)
One thing I heard differently from another reviewer -- after the "peace service," the man says it's NOT Sunday. He says, there's no reason he shouldn't go to the saloon, because it's not Sunday. Though the archive.org version is pretty choppy, and it's easy to miss a word.
All in all, not the most exciting Western ever to come down the dusty road, but good solid viewing at a good Luby's price (so to speak).
Spoiler: the Duke is innocent.
I first saw Buck Jones movies on the Internet Archive (archive.org), and I generally like his flicks -- especially "Shadow Ranch," a nifty little unconventional Western.
This movie was made in 1931, so it's a little less sophisticated (plot-wise and acting-wise) than later Westerns might be. Occasionally an actor will deliver a line in a sort of melodramatic, "Perils of Pauline" manner.
But for the most part, it's a good job done by all. John Wayne especially has a natural, winning manner, never melodramatic. The female love-interest, too, gave a good, natural performance, as well as Buck Jones.
One thing puzzled me -- at one point the heroine goes into a back room, then comes out and says (approximately), "I just called the doctor, and he'll be over soon." Was that a clinker by the writers, indicating she used a telephone? I don't think this movie is intended to be in that "cusp" period, 1890's or so. (When DID telephones appear?)
One thing I heard differently from another reviewer -- after the "peace service," the man says it's NOT Sunday. He says, there's no reason he shouldn't go to the saloon, because it's not Sunday. Though the archive.org version is pretty choppy, and it's easy to miss a word.
All in all, not the most exciting Western ever to come down the dusty road, but good solid viewing at a good Luby's price (so to speak).
Spoiler: the Duke is innocent.