West of Cimarron

Republic release of Louis Gray production. Directed by Les Orlebeck. Original screenplay by Albert De Mond and Don Ryan. Photography Ernest Miller; editor Howard O’Neill; musical score Cy Feuer. Completed November 6, 1941. Running time 56 minutes. Released December 15, 1941.

‘West of the Cimarron’ figures back a couple of seasons in Republic’s Three Mesquiteers series, but is still one of the top oaters in the group. Both before and since its making. Top trio in this one numbered Bob Steele, Tom Tyler and Rufe Davis as the Robin Hoods of the west and boys have what it takes, plus a first rate story frame, to put ‘Cimarron’ over with the western trade. Script by Albert De Mond and Don Ryan was fashioned expertly to carry the action obtained by Les Orlebeck’s direction, with plenty of suspense and thrills to punch it home for the market.

Story is plotted against the reconstruction period in Texas and, while it has nothing exactly new to western plots, is geared to make the best of the reuse. Tyler, a damnyank, teams up with Steele and Davis, ex-Confederate soldiers, and the trio rides into Texas, finds the Southerners still fighting troops. They spot the trouble--carpetbaggers and extreme taxation--and play the field on both sides until they see justice done and the range free again.

Lois Collier beautifies the femme lead excellently. James Bush, Guy Usher, Roy Barcroft, in fact, all the cast give an extra bit of performance to make picture better than average. Lou Gray marshalled the production in top-notch manner and Ernest Miller’s photography and other credits measure up.

This latest of the Three Mesquiteers series gives the impression of being hastily thrown together. The story could be at fault--it is a minor item concerned with carpetbaggers versus bushwhackers in a small Texas outpost town--but the impression in this corner is that the trouble lies in the handling. There is not enough of vim and vigor, not enough of the dramatic to hold one’s attention. The scenes are all too stilted for a type of picture whose primary function is action.

This time the Mesquiteers are caught between the two warring factions until, realizing that the Texans are being systematically robbed under the guise of taxes by the civilian aide at the army post and his chief henchman, an army captain, they enlist in the troop--but neglect to wear the uniform--so that they can bore from within. Their maneuverings are soon detected and it takes one of those ‘shootin’‘ climaxes to straighten things out.

The Mesquiteers are Bob Steele, Tom Tyler and Rufe Davis; the girl is Lois Collier, and the principal heavy, Hugh Prosser. James Bush is the head man on the carpetbaggers side of the fence. Louis Gray was associate producer and Les Orlebeck directed.

The Three Mesquiteers ride high, wide and handsome in their latest adventure tale. Not much concern is paid to the yarn but director Les Orlebeck has concentrated on the action phases to carry the film along in an effective manner.

Story has the Three Mesquiteers arriving in Texas shortly after the Civil War. Commander of local army post is unaware of fact that his civilian aide is a crook and that one of the chief officers is responsible for robbing and murdering of the ranchers.

Leader of the ranchers holding out is an old friend of two of the Mesquiteers. It takes some convincing for the Mesquiteers to show they are really helping the ranchers. After the commander is shot in the back, considerable shooting goes on until the Three Mesquiteers subdue the villains.

Bob Steele and Tom Tyler adequately supply the action for the triumvirate with Rufe Davis furnishing the laughs. Lois Collier, James Bush, Guy Usher, Hugh Prosser offer capable support. Direction has good pace and action is well photographed.

Motion Picture Daily (December 17, 1941)

‘West of Cimarron’ is a routine Western, neither more nor less. It has the regulation company of characters, a yarn that is not always smooth running, and action. As they have done before, the Three Mesquiteers ride smack into trouble--post Civil War Texans vs. tax-minded Union troopers--and waste little time in adjusting matters. The trio have with them in the film Lois Collier, daughter of the commanding officer who is unaware of his assistant’s carpetbagging; James Bush, leader of the battling victims, and others, including Guy Usher, Hugh Prosser, Cordell Hickman and Roy Barcroft.

Steele, Tyler and Davis soon learn the facts, pretend to take sides with the troopers and eventually effect the expose. In a big concluding fight the Texans win.

Director Les Orlebeck was not provided with the best of material. Louis Gray was associate producer.