Pioneers Of The WestRepublic release of Harry Grey production. Directed by Lester Orlebeck. Screenplay by Jack Hatteford, Karen de Wolf and Gerry Geraghty. Photography Jack Marta; editor Tony Martinelli; music score Cy Feuer. Completed February 3, 1940 and released March 12, 1940. Weekly Variety: The Three Mesquiteers are mopping up again, and this time, the trio, played by Robert Livingston, Raymond Hatton and Duncan Renaldo, are saving a group of western settlers from a band of land schemers. It’s one of Republic’s better westerners, and a likely dualer for the kid trade particularly. The yarn is pretty obvious, being another version of a familiar groove, but Lester Orlebeck’s direction and generally good performances help to attain a stronger stature than usual. The Mesquiteers in this pic are mostly concerned with a bunch headed by Noah Berry, which through Berry’s one-man rule of the town, is almost enabled to pilfer land from the settlers through excessive taxes. But it winds up the usual way. The three leads turn in their usually fine performances, while Beery, in one of his infrequent appearances in the last few years, heads the adequate support. Beatrice Roberts, a newcomer, has little to do as the ingenue lead. Motion Picture Herald, March 16, 1940: Based on characters created by William Colt MacDonald, the Three Mesquiteers pack their hard-riding search for justice with melodramatic action under the direction of Lester Orlebeck. The story is familiar to western fans. The Three Mesquiteers guide a wagon train of pioneers through unknown territories and Indian attacks to their recently purchased land, only to find that they have been swindled by local politicians. The settlers establish their own homes on the worthless land. Then the politicians try to force them off when they hear of an opportunity to sell to a railroad. The Three Mesquiteers protect the settlers’ rights and drive out the swindlers. Noah Berry returns to the screen as the crooked court judge in league with the crooks. Others in supporting roles are Beatrice Roberts, George Cleveland, Lane Chandler and Hal Taliaferro.
|
