Buck Jones Movies
Born in Indiana, Charles "Buck" Jones was raised in Montana, where he trained himself to be an expert rider and roper. After serving in the U.S. Cavalry, he joined the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show as a trick rider, and later performed with the Ringling Bros. circus. Entering films as a stunt double in 1917, he was promoted to his own starring series at Fox Studios two years later. Appearing onscreen with his horse Silver, Jones quickly became one of the most popular Western stars of the 1920s. When Westerns went into a brief eclipse in the early talkie era, he was "demoted" to low-budget Columbia Pictures, where he continued appearing in high-grossing horse operas and occasional "straight" dramatic films until 1936. He then spent a few seasons at Universal as star, producer, and occasional director. At the peak of his popularity in the 1930s, when his Buck Jones Rangers club boasted five million youthful members, at one point he was receiving more fan mail than Clark Gable. When his career began slipping again in 1940, he signed with Monogram, where he co-starred with Tim McCoy and Raymond Hatton in the money-spinning Rough Riders series. On November 30, 1942, Jones was guest of honor at a party given by his producer/manager Scott R. Dunlap at the Cocoanut Grove night club in Boston when a fire broke out in the kitchen. According to some reports, Jones attempted to escape along with all the others when the fire spread to the main room; other sources claim that he valiantly insisted upon reentering the blazing inferno to rescue the guests still trapped inside. Whatever the circumstances, the end result was the same: Jones perished in the Cocoanut Grove fire along with nearly 500 others. Married to the same woman for 27 years, Buck Jones was the father of a daughter named Maxine, who married actor Noah Beery Jr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1937
Smoke Tree Range represented another winning collaboration between cowboy hero Buck Jones and his favorite director Lesley Selander. A gang of cattle rustlers is at large, and Lee Cary (Buck Jones) aims to round 'em up and bring 'em in. He also champions the cause of heroine Nan Page (Muriel Evans) by searching for the men responsible for her father's murder. The villain of the piece is a two-bit dictator known as El Capitan (Donald Kirke), actually an American fugitive from justice named Wirt Stoner. If the plot is patchy at times, the action content more than makes up for any continuity gaps. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Muriel Evans, (more)
- 1937
Buck Jones both produced and directed (with action expert B. Reeves Eason) this somewhat inconsistent Western about a ranger sent to the lawless town of Tombstone to bodyguard the local judge. The town is run by a mystery man known as "Twin Gun," whose henchmen, Clanton (Alexander Cross) and Smith (Chuck Morrison), actually manage to abduct the weak Judge Hart (Carl Stockdale), lest their compatriot Peters (Tom Forman) should go down for yet another stagecoach holdup. Working with Doc (Harvey Clark), an undercover agent pretending to be the town drunk, Alamo Bowie (Jones) is able to reveal the identity of "Twin Gun," who, not too surprisingly, turns out to be a pillar of society. Caving in, apparently, to the burgeoning popularity of singing westerns, Jones actually hums a few bars of a campfire song, while a bleach-blonde saloon floozy, Mary Carney, performs the ever-popular "La Cucaracha". ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Muriel Evans, (more)
- 1937
Left-Handed Law is an average western lifted well above the norm by star Buck Jones and director Lesley Selander. Jones is cast as Alamo Bowie, who tries to help rancher Sam Logan (George Regas) rid his land of outlaws. He does this partly because he's fond of Logan's daughter Betty (Noel Francis), but mostly because he feels like a-doin' it. The film's "money" scene finds Alamo agreeing to accommodate fatally wounded outlaw One-Shot Brady (Matty Fain), whose last wish is to die with his boots off. Our hero removes one boot, pauses, looks down, and says softly "Got one of 'em off, old timer." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Noel Francis, (more)
- 1937
Director Leslie Selander exhibits the sure-handed expertise that would endear him to latter-day western cultists in his 1937 formula western Sandflow. Buck Jones plays the son of a crooked land dealer. Seeking redemption, Jones rides through the west to compensate every rancher who was cheated by his dad. Along the way, he rescues his younger brother Robert Terry from a date with the hangman. Sandflow was one of a group of 1937 westerns personally produced by star Buck Jones and released by Universal Pictures. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Lita Chevret, (more)
Veteran western star Buck Jones both co-produced (with Lesley Selander) and directed this well-mounted Universal B-Western co-starring the competent Kay Linaker and a host of familiar supporting players. A gang of blackmailers terrorizing the Swiftwater area leaves black aces cards with their ransom notes. Lackadaisical rancher Ted Ames (Jones) also receives a card but to the dismay of girlfriend Sandy McKenzie (Linaker) fails to do anything about it. But after losing his ramshackle ranch in a poker game with brothers Len (Fred Mackaye) and Jake Stoddard (Bernard Phillips), Ted is later accused of killing the latter, who is found on the Ames spread with a black ace left on his body. When Ted comes across blacksmith Henry Kline (Raymond Brown), yet another victim of the Black Aces gang, the two men decide to work together and catch the murderous blackmailers. Although he later finds Henry's money in the saddlebags belonging to Boyd Loomis (William E. Lawrence), Ted realizes that the real leader of the gang is someone much more powerful. On the advice of an old prospector (Arthur Van Slyke), Ted heads to a basin where he suspects the gang is holed up. Also arriving at the spot is Sandy, who manages to send her horse with a message to the sheriff (Charles LeMoyne) before being captured. The surprising identity of the gang leader is revealed just before the arrival of the sheriff and his men. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Kay Linaker, (more)
- 1937
This is one of Buck Jones' most unusual sound films. Cowboy Buck Benson (Jones) is incredulous to find that his father, M.H. (John Elliott), has decided to get into lettuce -- "The lettuce business!" exclaims Benson, a dyed-in-the-wool cattleman, "I'd rather herd sheep!" But when M.H.'s crop is being destroyed by racketeers (whom Benson considers nothing more than lettuce rustlers), the cowboy heads East to put a halt to the bad guys' activities. Gangsters turn out to be a whole new breed in this Westerner, however, and he needs all the help he can get from shipping clerk Windy (Shemp Howard, believe it or not) and his hot-tempered Puerto Rican girlfriend (Elaine Arden), both of whom work for produce distributor Calhoun (Earl Hodgins). The gangsters work for Calhoun's rival and they're determined to force Benson to come over to their company. Benson, in fact, can't save the day himself -- Windy, who coaches tough teenagers in the fine art of boxing, shows up with his young charges (one of whom is Leo Gorcey) to help pummel the gangsters until the cops show up. As a result, the good guys win the day, and Benson wins Calhoun's pretty daughter, Helen (Ruth Coleman). ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Ruth Coleman, (more)
- 1936
Western star Buck Jones essays a dual role in Boss Rider of Gun Creek. In time-honored sagebrush tradition, one of the Bucks is a good guy, the other a villain. The bad Buck commits a murder, but it's the good Buck who ends up facing a hangman's noose. Thus, good Buck impersonates bad Buck in order to bring the actual killer to justice. Leslie Selander's clever direction smooths out all the lumpy plot points. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Harvey Clark, (more)
- 1936
Buck Jones was producing as well as starring in his own western series by the time Ride 'Em Cowboy hit the screen. A heady combination of old and new, this one casts Jones as champeen auto racer Jess Burns, who reverts to his horse when called upon to rout the villains. The story comes to a thrilling conclusion as Burns, framed on a phony robbery charge, tries to elude the sheriff long enough to enter the Big Race. As in earlier Jones vehicles, the hero is an inveterate practical joker who turns serious just in time. Ride 'Em Cowboy was directed by frequent Buck Jones collaborator Lesley Selander, whose inbuilt sense of rhythm and pacing keeps this contemporary western constantly on the go. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, George Cooper, (more)
- 1936
Sunset of Power is regarded as one of Buck Jones' more meritorious Universal westerns. The heavy of the piece, grim-visaged cattle baron Neil Brannum (Charles B. Middleton), drives everyone around him mercilessly, including his own granddaughter Ruth (Dorothy Dix). In retaliation, a caped-and-masked Spanish bandido stages nightly raids on Brannum's spread. Hero Cliff Lea (Jones) turns out to be the mysterious night rider, but his motives are pure and his crimes are forgiven. It wasn't the first time Buck Jones went the "masked avenger" route on screen, and it wouldn't be the last. Critics in 1936 felt that an inordinate amount of screen time was devoted to the cruelties of Middleton's character; in fact, he may have a larger part than official star Jones! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Dorothy Dix, (more)
- 1936
Buck Jones, the auteur of the prairies, frequently wrote and/or directed his own westerns. Jones composed the screenplay for Cowboy and the Kid, but allowed Ray Taylor to warm the director's chair. Per its title, the film revolves around the relationship between Jones and tousle-headed orphan Billy Burrud. Our hero raises the boy after his father is killed; upon meeting schoolmarm Dorothy Revier, Jones begins sizing her up as a potential stepmother. Cowboy and the Kid for the most part pleased Jones' army of youthful fans. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Dorothy Revier, (more)
- 1936
Cowboy star Buck Jones made his directorial debut with the Universal western For the Service. Jones is cast as Indian scout Buck O'Bryan, trying his best to keep the peace between the Native Americans and a government outpost. O'Bryan is replaced by George Murphy (Clifford Jones), the son of commanding officer Captain Murphy (Edward Keane). Obviously unqualified for his job, Murphy proves himself a coward and a weakling, forcing O'Bryan to take over when the fort is besieged by outlaw Bruce Howard (Fred Kohler) and his gang. Buck Jones' skill as a director is proven in the opening scenes of For the Service, which realistically convey a blistering frontier heat wave. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Clifford Jones, (more)
- 1936
The 1936 Buck Jones western Silver Spurs was helmed by Jones' favorite director Ray Taylor, whose association with the star dated back to the silent years at Fox Studios. Jones plays Jim Fentriss, a wealthy rancher whose spread is besieged by cattle rustlers. The chief heavy is Art Holden (Robert W. Fraser), but Jim has trouble proving it. After playing a waiting game for five reels, Jim swings into action (at long last!) in reel six. Buck Jones' leading lady, here as elsewhere, is Muriel Evans, who first gained popularity as comedian Charley Chase's vis-a-vis at Hal Roach. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Muriel Evans
- 1935
Buck Jones' fourth Universal western, The Crimson Trail turned out to be one of his best-ever vehicles. The plot has something to do with two rival ranch owners who suspect each other of cattle rustling. Kitty (Polly Ann Young) daughter of one rancher, is in love with Billy Carter (Buck Jones), nephew of the other. For a while, it looks like Billy is the rustler, but this of course could never be. The thrill-packed ending pits our hero against the real villain, Luke Long (Ward Bond at his nastiest). The spectacular climactic shot of a burning ranchhouse would pop up in innumerable Universal westerns of the 1930s and 1940s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Polly Ann Young, (more)
- 1935
In this Western, neighboring sheep farmers engage in a long-standing feud over that results in tragedy. The problem began when someone began stealing their livestock. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Charlotte Wynters, (more)
- 1935
Westerner Buck Jones heads to the Great White North in Border Brigands. Jones plays Canadian Mountie Tim Barry, who always gets his man. This time, however, he's forced to cross the border into the United States -- apparently without permission -- to "get" villain Conyda (Fred Kohler Sr.). The reason for Barry's trek Southward is personal: Conyda is responsible for the death of the Mountie's brother. Lona Andre, one of the sexiest of the "B"-western leading ladies, co-stars with Jones in Border Brigands, while eyeball-rolling Frank Rice offers comedy relief. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Lona Andre, (more)
- 1935
In perhaps the most tranquil B-Western of the 1930s, Buck Jones, who also produced, plays the tough but goodhearted proprietor of the Bonanza, the only gambling establishment in otherwise God-fearing Silver Creek. Noel Francis, who used to play blonde schemers in Warner Bros. gangster films, earns second billing as the casino's equally goodhearted chanteuse. Surprisingly, the glamorous Miss Francis is not paired off with Jones, but has to settle for country pumpkin Grady Sutton, of all people. In fact, the hero must wait no less than 51 minutes before he is finally provided a few romantic moments with Peggy Campbell, who arrives just in time to warble "Tonight May Never Come Again" to an enraptured Jones. The latter does very little of anything in this film, except prevent a couple of gamblers (Rodney Hildebrand and Harry Semels) from robbing the casino's safe, proving himself worthy in the eyes of Pastor Timothy Tucker (Niles Welch) and his girlfriend Martha (Marion Shilling) along the way. Restored by Universal/MCA in 2000, Stone of Silver Creek has no action to speak of, but is saved from the doldrums by good performances from Jones, the unfairly forgotten Noel Francis, and the always watchable Grady Sutton, who gets the top-billed girl for the first and only time in his long career. Unlike most Westerns of the day, Stone of Silver Creek was produced entirely on the Universal back lot. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Niles Welch, (more)
- 1935
Outlawed Guns stars Buck Jones as Reece Rivers, the nice-guy older brother of headstrong Babe Rivers (played by Pat O'Brien -- not the Warner Bros. star of the same name). When Babe gets mixed up with outlaws, Reece loyally takes the rap. Eventually Babe pays for his recklessness with his life, but not before leading Reece to the film's head bad guy, gambler Jack Keeler (Roy D'Arcy). Frank McGlynn Sr., usually cast in films as Abraham Lincoln, is here seen as an ageing but virile ex-Texas Ranger. Outlawed Guns is distinguished by some spectacular horse falls, orchestrated by ace stuntmen Cliff Lyons and Jim Corey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monte Montague, Buck Jones, (more)
- 1935
This better-than-average Buck Jones western stars Jones as Buck Saunders, shunned by his community because it is believed that his father was a rustler. After a long absence, Buck returns home, only to discover that he's still regarded as a pariah. By now, however, our hero has the intestinal fortitude to dig up the facts and prove his father's innocence -- and to round up the guilty parties and toss them all in the jug. In the process, he wins back the love of his childhood sweetheart, Muriel Fergus (Muriel Evans). The Throwback was the vanguard of a string of top-rank Buck Jones westerns for Universal, a string broken only when he left the studio in 1937. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Muriel Evans, (more)
- 1934
At the time of its release, Fighting Code was praised as being markedly different from the general run of Buck Jones westerns. The story is motivated by a mystery angle: Who killed the father of heroine Diane Sinclair? Jones, at first a suspect himself, tries to find out, breaking a few noses and stepping on a few egos in the process. Surprisingly, the revelation of the killer's identity occurs at the film's mid-point, though there's no slackening off of action or suspense. Not long after Fighting Code, Columbia decided to briefly "retire" Buck Jones' western series and cast the star in a series of contemporary actioners. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Diane Sinclair, (more)
- 1934
A remake of the earlier The Lone Rider (1930), The Man Trailer once again starred Buck Jones as Track Ames, a fugitive from a Texas range war. He joins a cattle drive lead by the unscrupulous Jim Burk (Arthur Vinton), but opts out when Burk and his gang rob the stage and is instead declared a hero by saving passenger Sally Ryan (Cecilia Parker). Track is awarded the job of marshal of Orkla City, but his murky past catches up with him when Burk and his gang rob the local Well's Fargo. Columbia used the plot a third time in the 1939 Charles Starrett Western The Thundering West. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cecilia Parker, Arthur Vinton, (more)
- 1934
The Buck Jones western The Fighting Ranger utilizes its familiar plotline with excellent results. When Jones' kid brother is killed by the villains, our hero quits the Texas Rangers and sets off to seek vengeance on his own. He ends up just below the Mexican border, where bandit leader Cougar (Bradley Page) lives high off the hog, knowing he can't be extradited. But Jones is able to round up the baddies just in time for the "End" title. Columbia's all-purpose leading lady Dorothy Revier is the heroine, while comedy relief is provided by eyeball-rolling Frank Rice. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Dorothy Revier, (more)
- 1934
Rocky Rhodes was Buck Jones' first western vehicle for Universal Pictures. Evidently inheriting a leftover script from previous Universal cowboy star Ken Maynard, Jones plays the title character, who as the film opens is heading back to his home in Arizona with his raffish saddle-pal Harp (Stanley Fields). Upon his arrival, Rocky Rhodes champions the cause of heroine Nan (Sheila Terry), whose ranch is in danger of falling into the grimy hands of the villainous Murich (Walter Miller). The whole affair ends in a tense shoot-out between the good and bad buys, with guess who coming out on top. Rocky Rhodes is beautifully photographed by the ever-reliable Ted McCord, who'd previous labored on the Ken Maynard series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buck Jones, Sheila Terry, (more)
- 1934
The second entry in Buck Jones' Universal western series, When a Man Sees Red casts Jones as the foreman of a ranch owned by a haughty Easterner (Peggy Campbell). Our hero tries to dissuade the pretty owner from taking up with an unsavory character (Leroy Mason), to no avail. Eventually, the lout proves himself to be a thief and a liar, out to wrest the ranch owner's property away from her. The self-sacrificial sending is straight out of Under Two Flags, albeit with happier results. Like the first Universal Jones vehicle, Rocky Rhodes, When a Man Sees Red appears at times to be a leftover Ken Maynard script, hastily retooled for the ol' Buckaroo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dorothy Revier, Peggy Campbell, (more)
