The New Frontier

USA 1935
produced by
Paul Malvern, Trem Carr (executive) for Republic
directed by Carl Pierson
starring John Wayne, Muriel Evans, Warner Richmond, Al Bridge, Sam Flint, Murdock MacQuarrie, Allan Cavan, Mary MacLaren, Theodore Lorch, Glenn Strange, Philip Kieffer, Frank Ball, Jack Montgomery, Earl Dwire, John Ince, Perry Murdock, Fred Parker, Cactus Mack, Eddie Parker, Chuck Baldra, Herman Hack, Jack Kirk, Tex Palmer
written by Robert Emmett Tansey

review by
Mike Haberfelner

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The Old West: John (John Wayne) is a trail guide at heart, but when his father (Sam Flint), a retired trail guide, is gunned down in a saloon in the lawless town of Frontier, John sees himself forced to become the town's first sheriff and try to run saloon owner Ace (Warner Richmond) out of town ... easier said than done, because Ace has got a pretty tight organisation that also includes Norton's (Glenn Strange) gang of outlaws at his disposal, as he's not just a gambler and saloon owner but wants to take over the entire city, too. First he wants to lure John into a death trap, then he almost kills him in his saloon - but Kit (Al Bridge), an outlaw with a code of honour, and his gang save John ... and ultimately he even deputizes them and they take care of Ace and gang, even if it means burning down most of the city.

Muriel Evans plays John's love interest, but she has little to do.

New Frontier is a very good-looking B Western, as it features very slick camerawork, some of the best character actors to support John Wayne, and a story that's not too epic for its budget while the most is squeezed out of each Dollar anyhow. That said, the story isn't exactly original and lacks twists and turns, but is well enough paced to entertain anyhow. One thing though, several scenes are rather obviously lifted from another movie - according to my information the 1927 silent feature The Red Raiders -, scenes that include the city burning that don't always make total sense ... and yet are among the most impressive of the film.

In all, maybe not perfect, but nice B-entertainment.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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