Neal Hart Movies
A former cowpuncher, stage driver, city marshal, and member of the famous Miller 101 Wild West Show crew, American action lead Neal Hart entered films in 1916 on the strength of his kinship with Western star William S. Hart, reportedly his cousin. Neal made himself indispensable to the sprawling Universal company as an assistant to director George Marshall, by writing scenarios, and eventually by starring in a steady stream of low-budget Westerns, all the while increasing his salary from five dollars a day to a reported 500 dollars a week. Leaving Univeral in 1920, Hart made a series of pictures for Poverty Row company Pinnacle before embarking on a long association with low-budget entrepreneur William Steiner. Hart produced, wrote, and starred in scores of Western programmers throughout the decade but, like most Gower Gulch mavericks, he was to find the advent of talkies a tough challenge. No longer a star, Neal Hart nevertheless gamely went on appearing in B-Westerns until 1949, the year of his death from lung cancer. The veteran cowboy star died at the Motion Picture Country Hospital in Woodland Hills, CA. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide- 1949
Stampede is a choice example of the Lesley Selander B-plus westerns of the late 1940s/early 1950s. Rod Cameron and Don Castle star as feuding brothers who own separate cattle ranches. The siblings find themselves on opposite sides of a water-rights battle, in which settlers are being deprived water by a gang of clever criminals. The war turns ugly before the film is over, resulting in the destructive stampede promised by the title. Despite poor reviews from big-city critics, this stacks up favorably against the more costly big-studio westerns of the era. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Cameron, Gale Storm, (more)
- 1947
Saddle Pals hits a new low for Gene Autry's postwar Republic westerns, containing literally no action at all. Autry is drawn into the plot when he's given power of attorney in a property settlement involving his old pal (Sterling Holloway) and a gang of land swindlers. The pal then goes on an extended vacation, leaving Autry to sort things out. Though he doesn't display the business acumen that would eventually transform him into a real-life billionaire, Autry does manage to figure out that the swindlers are up to something dishonest. One of the more curious aspects of the film is the casting of traditional comedy-relief actor Sterling Holloway as the plot catalyst; he looks almost as uncomfortable as Autry. Fortunately, Autry's movie career would take an upswing the following year when he switched his base of operations from Republic to Columbia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lynne Roberts, Sterling Holloway, (more)
Twentieth Century-Fox couldn't make a film version of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's Oklahoma in 1945--that particular Broadway musical would remain a "hot ticket" until the end of the decade--so the studio did the next best thing by hiring Rodgers & Hammerstein to pen the score for the Technicolorful State Fair. Fox had previously made a non-singing movie of Philip Stong's novel in 1933, with Janet Gaynor and Will Rogers in the leads. The musical remake downplayed the older characters in favor of the younger members of the cast. Set during the annual Iowa State Fair, the story concentrates on the Frakes family: father Charles Winninger, mother Fay Bainter, and grown-up children Jeanne Crain and Dick Haymes. Each has his or her own reason for attending the fair: Winninger intends to win the "prize hog" ribbon, Bainter hopes to defeat her longtime snooty rival in the "best pickle contest" (she wins when the judges get schnockered on the alcoholic "special ingredient" in her pickles), Crain falls in love with fast-talking journalist Dana Andrews, and Haymes woos footloose and fancy-free vocalist Vivian Blaine. Musical highlights include the Oscar-winning "It Might as Well be Spring," "It's a Grand Night for Singing," and the title number. To avoid confusion with the 1962 remake, the 1945 State Fair was for many years retitled It Happened One Summer for TV showings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, (more)
- 1945
An interesting idea falls somewhat flat in this average Allan Lane Western, in which the young sister (Twinkle Watts) of a returning World War II veteran learns about the experiences of their grandfather just after the Civil War. Having served with Texas Cavalry, Jim Christie (Allan Lane) returns home to Corpus Christi only to be falsely accused of murdering a local commissioner. Escaping, our hero teams up with three desperadoes, Rocky (Tom London), Spade (Kenne Duncan), and Steve (Bob Wilke), and together they rob a stagecoach. But Jim takes umbrage to Spade's harassment of a female passenger and vows to go straight. That, however, is easier said than done and Jim's past is revealed by nasty saloon owner Wade Larkin (Roy Barcroft), whose reign of terror Jim has attempted to prevent. After beating Larkin at his own game, Jim is all set to give himself up to Marshal Dan Adams (Ed Cassidy) when the loyal Steve takes a shot at the lawman. The quick-thinking Jim takes the bullet instead and his heroism is awarded with a full pardon. After learning the story of Corpus Christi Jim, the modern day Captain James Christie (also Allan Lane) is made an honorary Captain of the Texas Rangers by the Governor of the State of Texas. Corpus Christi Bandits was the second to last entry in Allan Lane's initial Western series for Republic Pictures. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Helen Talbot, (more)
- 1939
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The last of RKO's Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers vehicles, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle is also the least typical. At their best playing carefree characters in gossamer-thin musical comedy plotlines, Fred and Ginger seem slightly ill at ease cast as the real-life dancing team of Vernon and Irene Castle. The stripped-to-essentials storyline boils down to novice dancer Irene (Rogers) convincing vaudeville comic Vernon (Astaire) to give up slapstick in favor of "classy" ballroom dancing. With the help of agent Edna May Oliver, the Castles hit their peak of fame and fortune in the immediate pre-World War I years. When Vernon is called to arms, Irene stays behind in the US, making patriotic movie serials to aid the war effort. Vernon is killed in a training accident, leaving a tearful Irene to carry on alone. To soften the shock of Astaire's on-screen death (it still packs a jolt when seen today), RKO inserted a closing "dream" dancing sequence, with a spectral Vernon and Irene waltzing off into the heavens. The film's production was hampered by the on-set presence of the real Irene Castle, whose insistence upon accuracy at all costs drove everyone to distraction--especially Ginger Rogers, who felt as though she was being treated like a marionette rather than an actress. In one respect, Mrs. Castle had good reason to be so autocratic. Walter, the "severest critic servant" character played by Walter Brennan, was in reality a black man. RKO was nervous about depicting a strong, equal-footing friendship between the white Castles and their black retainer, so a Caucasian actor was hired for the role. Mrs. Castle was understandably incensed by this alteration, and for the rest of her days chastised RKO for its cowardice. As it turned out, it probably wouldn't have mattered if Walter had been black, white, Chicano or Siamese; The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle was a financial bust, losing $50,000 at the box office. Perhaps as a result, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers would not team up again for another ten years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, (more)
- 1938
The old west collides with the new in this fine remake of RKO's 1932 Come On, Danger!. Or, rather, veteran RKO star George O'Brien is at odds with his eventual successor at the studio, Tim Holt -- at least part of the way. They play Texas Rangers assigned to bring in suspected murderess Judith Alvarez (Rita Hayworth). But young Holt, who gets himself fired for an altercation in the local cantina, defies his older colleague and instead joins Judith's band of renegades. O'Brien is sympathetic to Judith's claim that local political boss Ben Sanderson (William Royle) is usurping the local ranches by means of phony taxes, but maintains that the girl must make her argument in court. In the end, the greedy Sanderson shows his true face and Judith and her vigilantes are found innocent of all charges. In between the action -- which is fast and plentiful -- resident RKO balladeer Ray Whitley yodels "Move Slow, Little Doggie" by Willia Phelps, and Cecilia Callejo, as Holt's love interest, performs a Mexican dance. Borrowed from Columbia Pictures, a ravishing Rita Hayworth is not the usual placid prairie flower but takes an active part in all the ridin' and shootin'. After all, as her character explains, "I wouldn't have my men do anything I wouldn't do." Renegade Ranger was filmed a third time by RKO in 1943, under its original title, Come On, Danger!, and starring Tim Holt, now a full-fledged B-Western star. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George O'Brien, Ray Whitley, (more)
- 1932
Filmed on-location at Lone Pine, CA, with interiors made at Hollywood's Talisman Studio, this low-budget Western was the fourth of eight Willis Kent productions to star former Paramount cowboy Lane Chandler. The handsome Chandler, on his beautiful steed Raven, played Ken Wayne (alias "Flip" LaRue), a notorious gunfighter coming to the aid of a beleaguered rancher (John Ince) whose son (John McGuire) is falsely accused of killing a card shark. In the ensuing melee, Flip is confronted with his own foster-father, Whispering Carlyle, the leader of a gang of cutthroats scheming with the local sheriff (Yakima Canutt) and a powerful cattle rancher (Charles "Slim" Whitaker) to take over the Thornton sheep ranch. The film's centerpiece was the final confrontation between the young gunman and the foster-father who had taught him how to shoot in the first place. In the end, old Whispering Carlyle saves the life of his protégé despite the threat of a jail sentence. The veteran gunfighter was played by Neal Hart, a once popular silent screen cowboy and a distant cousin of William S. Hart. Guns for Hire was later reissued for television under the generic title Blazing Trail. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1932
Filmed at the Hearst ranch in Lone Pine, CA, this low-budget Western starred the strapping Lane Chandler as a United States marshal who goes undercover as an outlaw in order to save a preacher and his daughter from a gang of cutthroats. The film co-starred Chandler with Phyllis Barrington, a blonde starlet and a favorite of producer Willis Kent, veteran silent star Franklyn Farnum, and stunt man-turned-bit player-turned assistant director Bartlett Carré. As always, Chandler's handsome steed, Raven, played a big part in the goings-on. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1932
As he had so many times before, Hoot Gibson pretended to be a dimwit in this low-budget Western, his penultimate for penny-pinching producer M.H. Hoffman. Naturally, Gibson, as Ace Cooper, only pretends to be cowardly and stupid in order to investigate the mysterious killing of Dad Mason (Gordon De Main) in a hotel room. He does that disguised as "the Dude Bandit," quickly determining that Dad was murdered by greedy cattle baron Al Burton (Hooper Atchley). But how? Burton was observed by several witnesses as the fatal shot rang out. Aligning himself with old friend Skeeter (Gibson regular Roy "Skeeter Bill" Robbins) and the dead man's pretty daughter, Betty (Gloria Shea), Ace learns how Burton was able to establish an alibi for the murder. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hoot Gibson, Gloria Shea, (more)
- 1932
An early screen version of the oft-filmed tale of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Law and Order was adapted by young screenwriter John Huston from W. R. Burnett's novel, which alters the names of the principals but few of the facts. The film opens with a montage of the settling of the West, concluding with the observation that lawless behavior soon followed in many settlements. Walter Huston plays Frame Johnson, a steely-eyed gambler whose three companions, Brant, Luther (Frame's brother), and Deadwood, form a team of sorts, wandering from town to town in search of a good poker game. Johnson's reputation as "the man that cleaned up Kansas, the killingest peace officer that ever lived" precedes him when he arrives in Tombstone, a town controlled by the Northrup brothers and their crooked sheriff, Fin Elder. A committee of lawful citizens, led by a judge, try to hire Johnson to clean up the town, but he's reluctant to pin on the badge again. Inevitably, he does, and there's a showdown that leaves a corral full of corpses. ~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Huston, Harry Carey, (more)
By many considered the best of Hoot Gibson's eight Westerns for Gower Gulch producer M.H. Hoffman, Wild Horse starred The Hooter as Jim Wright, a cowpoke hired to work on George Bunny's rodeo ranch. Gibson manages to capture "The Devil Horse," a magnificent steed which had been eluding the wranglers, but the horse is stolen by jealous ranch hand Edmund Cobb, who murders Gibson's buddy Skeeter Bill Robbins) along the way. Gibson is blamed for both but everything is worked out after the usual hard ridin' and shootin'. Gibson, who enjoyed near autonomy in his pictures for Hoffman's Allied Pictures Corp., filled the supporting cast with old friends such as Neal Hart, Fred Gilman, Pete Morrison and Cobb, all of whom had seen better days in the silent era. "The Devil Horse" was "played" by Mutt, a horse from Gibson's own stable. The result was a fast-paced B-Western marred only slightly for modern audiences by the typically demeaning "comedy" of African-American performer Stepin Fetchit. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1930
"Trigger Tricks", wrote "B"-western historian William K. Everson, "may well have set a record as the most talkative talkie western ever made." Hoot Gibson stars as an easygoing cowpoke who becomes a fightin' fool in his efforts to learn the identity of his brother's murder. While working as a hired gun for a group of cattlemen, Gibson falls in love with Betty Dawley (Sally Eilers), the owner of a sheep ranch. Switching his allegiance to Eilers, our hero discovers that one of the cattlemen was the guy who knocked off his brother. Just so no one forgets that this is an all-talking picture, the plot is resolved when Gibson uses a trick phonograph record to trap the killer. Trigger Tricks was the second of two 1930 westerns teaming Hoot Gibson with his future wife Sally Eilers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hoot Gibson, Sally Eilers, (more)
- 1927
The fast-paced FBO programmer Aflame in the Sky rather resembles a Tom Mix production -- with Jack Luden standing in for the flamboyant Mix. This modern-day western concerns a handsome hero, a lovely senorita, a stiff-necked military man, and an unspeakable villain. The hero's love of flying comes in handy when he takes to the air and skywrites a plea for HELP in the final reel. Luden's love interest in Aflame in the Sky is musical comedy star Sharon Lynn, best known as the scheming saloon-hall thrush in Laurel and Hardy's Way Out West (1937); the villain is old Douglas Fairbanks-cohort Robert McKim, here making his final appearance before his death of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 39, June 4, 1927. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neal Hart, Jack Luden, (more)
- 1924
Neal Hart, a distant relative of William S. Hart, both directed, adapted, and starred in this low-budget Western-melodrama about a ranch foreman framed for the murder of a deputy sheriff. Barry Huston comes the the assistance of his beleaguered boss, John Tucker, who is about to lose his property to an evil mortgage lender. The money lender frames the do-gooder in the killing of a deputy but is himself double-crossed by an equally greedy partner. Cleared of all charges, Huston can sell the Tucker cattle and save the ranch. As a reward, he wins the love of Tucker's nurse. Based on an original story by Romaine Lowdermilk, Tucker's Top Hand was produced by William Steiner, photographed by Al Siegler, and edited by Fred Burnworth. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neal Hart
- 1924
Jess Dean (Yakima Canutt) is a cowboy who is falsely accused of robbery in this routine western. Granddaddy Jim (Judge Hamilton) is a gold-mine owner who is robbed and murdered by outlaws who pin the blame on Jess. He races against time to outrun the law, clear his name, and bring the criminals to justice. Wilbur McGaugh and Alys Murrell co-star with former rodeo champion Canutt. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- 1923
Based on Philip Le Noir's The Man Who Wouldn't Take Off His Hat, this low-budget William Steiner production starred Neal Hart as a ranch hand mistaken for an outlaw. Hart's Sam Ramsey receives a letter from his sister Mary (Gertrude Ryan), whose husband has forced her with him to Mexico. Ramsey goes after his villainous brother-in-law, but is ambushed and left for dead. The villain assumes his identity and a recovered Sam is hard pressed to prove who he really is. Producer Steiner didn't spent many dollars on this typical silent oater which according to advertisements was "Prepared for the screen by Neal Hart." ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Catherine Bennett
- 1923
Canadian Mounted Police officer King Calhoun (Neal Hart) is falsely accused of cattle rustling across the Mexican border in this obscure silent western produced by William Steiner and based on an original (and highly sensational) story, The Fighting Pedagogue, by H. A. Halbert, Jr. Attempting to clear himself of the charges, Calhoun enlists the help of his fellow Mounties, the Texas Rangers, and even the Mexican Army. He still finds enough time to romance the daughter of a prospector. A former cowpuncher, stage driver, and rodeo rider, Neal Hart was reportedly a cousin of William S. Hart. He never achieved the fame bestowed on his relative but spent his entire screen career in low-budget westerns. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neal Hart
- 1923
Lower-echelon silent Western star Neal Hart both directed and starred in this unusual oater dealing with cliff-dwelling Pueblo Indians. The Indians have taken lovely Ruth Bryson (Hazel Deane) prisoner, but handsome Bob Benson (Hart), who has managed to locate the secret entrance to the memorial altar room, rescues the girl in the nick of time. As opposed to the previous decade, Westerns of the '20s routinely dealt with Native Americans as merely colorful villains. This film appears to have been more egregious than most, treating the Pueblo tribe, well-known for their handicraft, as ravenous savages. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1923
Lower-echelon Western star Neal Hart, a distant cousin of William S. Hart, was a true Hollywood auteur. The veteran performer (Hart's screen debut was back in 1914) wrote, starred, directed, and even titled The Fighting Stranger, which was released on the independent market by William Steiner. Returning home from the Great War, Hart finds his sister, Bess (Beth Mitchell), kidnapped by Jim Black (William Quinn), the same blackguard who once sold some fake mine stock to Canfield, the father of Hart's girlfriend (Gladys Gilland). The latter suddenly also disappears and Hart trails the missing girls and their kidnapper to the wilderness of Canada. There is the inevitable standoff before Hart can be united with his sweetheart. As for sister Bess, she finds happiness with Miss Canfield's handsome brother John (Bert Wilson). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Beth Mitchell, William Quinn, (more)
- 1923
Neal Hart wrote, directed, and starred in this stereotypical drama about the Northwest Mounted Police. Jack Hampton (Hart) is accused of a murder he did not commit and is forced to flee. In eluding the posse on his trail, he takes refuge in a cabin during a storm, where he eventually encounters Jane Wilson (Hazel Deane), a detective for the Northwest Mounted Police. Though Hampton is an innocent victim, there are real villains afoot, and Hampton is compelled to battle them and also to rescue Wilson, who has gotten herself into a fix. In the end, the bad guy confesses to the murder and Hampton, who is now free and clear, gets the girl. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1923
Veteran B-Western star Neal Hart and Yakima Canutt square off in this low-budget silent oater also produced, directed, and written by William S. Hart. Although a cowman, decent Jack Wilson sides with the newly arrived sheepherders against vicious rancher Buck Madison (Canutt), who is in favor of burning their homes. After several clashes with Madison, law and order is restored and Wilson can settle down to enjoy life with pretty Mary Brodie (Violet Sheldon). This Western was released by William Steiner, whose son, William Jr., also served as cameraman. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neal Hart, Yakima Canutt, (more)
- 1922
Jack Hampton (Neal Hart) is a U.S. rancher who escapes to the Canadian woods when he is falsely accused of murder. Mountie Corporal McAllister is called in to track him down along with secret agent Jane Wilson (Hazel Dean). Rawlins (Ben Corbett) is the trading post owner also investigated by Jane. Rawlins turns out to the crime boss and murderer who framed Jack for the killing. When Jane is kidnapped by the villains and taken to their remote hideout, Jack rushes to save her and bring the killer to justice in this Northwoods western. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neal Hart
- 1922
Directed and written by veteran character actor Paul Hurst, this low-budget silent Western starred Neal Hart as John Marvin, a drifter who comes to the aid of a beleaguered female sheep farmer, Kate Bowers (Hazel Maye). Kate's late father had promised his cattle ranching neighbors not to let his sheep graze on their land, a promise Kate herself cannot live up to. The girl is pursued by lecherous Palque Powell (William Quinn), who takes umbrage to Marvin's arrival and attempts to get rid of his rival by blowing him to kingdom come. Marvin, however, escapes serious injury and is able to save Kate from the angry cattle ranchers. Table Top Ranch was produced by William Steiner. Maye also acted under the name Hazel Deane. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neal Hart, William Quinn, (more)
- 1922
Second-echelon cowboy star Neal Hart and lovely Yvette Mitchell fall prey to an outwardly respectable but deeply corrupt businessman (William Quinn) in this low-budget silent western from Pinnacle. The supposedly solid citizen is known across the Mexican border as bandit leader "Kingfisher," and when Hart and girlfriend crosses his way, he accuses the former of horse theft and the latter of shop-lifting. The bandit leader is in love with the girl and promises to drop the charges if she denounces Hart. The latter does not take all this lying down, however, and rides to Mexico in search of the truth. An enigmatic actor, veteran bad-man William Quinn appeared on screen from around 1914 through the mid 1930s. He was frequently cast opposite Neal Hart, but is perhaps best remembered as the villain "Rawhide Pete" in Daughter of the West (1918), an oater starring moppet Baby Marie Osborne. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neal Hart, Yvette Mitchell, (more)
- 1922
Gower Gulch entrepreneur William Steiner released this very low-budget silent western featuring Neal Hart (a distant relative of William S. Hart) who become a target of bandits after discovering gold. Ubiquitous bad guy William Quinn plays Chuck Wallace, Hart's main opposition, while Ben Corbett delivers yet another of his one-note comedy sidekick roles. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
