THE TEXAS RANGERS (1936)

Early Fred MacMurray western finds Fred along with buddies Lloyd Nolan and Jack Oakie as outlaws.  Times get tough and after a close scrape with the law they get split up and MacMurray and Oakie get so hungry they sign up for the Texas Rangers with no intention of ever putting in an honest days work.  Naturally though once they see how caring and selfless the Rangers actually are their hard hearts thaw out and they fight for the side of good.  Unfortunately their old friend Nolan has, during this time, become the most notorious outlaw in the land.

I really didn't have that high of hopes for THE TEXAS RANGERS, but I ended up enjoying it thoroughly and watch parts of it twice.  I especially liked seeing MacMurray and Nolan in sinister roles.  The comedic antics of Oakie got a little tiring, but it wasn't too bad.  All in all THE TEXAS RANGERS is a pretty good mid-30's western.  Not a classic by any means, but a good solid and entertaining film.  Quick pace, good story, strong supporting cast (including Edward Ellis, Jean Parker, Charles Middleton and George Hayes), nice scenery, exciting action scenes.  Recommended.

G MEN (1935)

Made 12 years before the excellent T-MEN (about undercover Treasury agents), G MEN is nothing but a propaganda piece for the FBI, made to counter all of the movies glorifying gangsters, but at least it's an entertaining propaganda piece.

Former "gutter rat" James Cagney is having a hard time as a lawyer.  The only clients who want his services are hoodlums, but he isn't interested.  Finally after one of his college buddies is shot in the back by the local mob, Cagney joins the Department of Justice.  His trainer is tough as nails, but he has a good heart and after some rough spots they finally become friends and even partners out in the field hunting down some bloodthirsty bank robbers...the very same thugs who shot his friend in the back.  Imagine that!

Nothing deep going on here, just a straightforward story about a young man with a strong sense of justice and the tenacity to get things done! Yeah, see!

 

 Lloyd Nolan's film debut.

 Ward Bond in a lineless role as "Gunman at Train Station".

 David Brian in the 1949 tacked on intro scene.