The Arizonian (1935)

In a film where the leading character is a composite of several American-frontier lawmen (mostly Wyatt Earp,) Clay Tallant comes to Silver City, Arizona in the 1880s and encounters ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Vidor

Writers:

Dudley Nichols (story), Dudley Nichols (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Dix, Margot Grahame, Preston Foster

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Dix	...	Clay Tallant
Margot Grahame	...	Kitty Rivers
Preston Foster	...	Tex Randolph
Louis Calhern	...	Sheriff Jake Mannen
James Bush	...	Orin Tallant
J. Farrell MacDonald	...	Marshal Andy Jordan
Ray Mayer	...	Frank McClosky
Willie Best	...	Pompey
Joe Sawyer	...	Shot-Gun Keeler (as Joseph Sauers)
Francis Ford	...	Mayor Ed Comstock

Storyline

In a film where the leading character is a composite of several American-frontier lawmen (mostly Wyatt Earp,) Clay Tallant comes to Silver City, Arizona in the 1880s and encounters wide-spread lawlessness and disorder, unscrupulous politicians, outlaws galore and brow-beaten citizens. He accepts the position of town marshal and, with his brother and a reformed outlaw , Tex Randolph, who comes over to his side, sets out to bring law-and-order where none exists. He also wins the hand of the singer appearing at the Opera House.

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Plot Keywords:

outlaw | marshal | arizona | opera house | 1880s | 

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Taglines:

Richard DIX...as Clay Tallant, slow on the draw but quick on the trigger, he strides the trail to the setting sun in the days of blood and grit and gun smoke!

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Genres:

Adventure | Music | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 June 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Boom Days

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Remade as The Marshal of Mesa City (1939)

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Soundtracks

"Turkey In The Straw"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played at the dance in the opera house

User Reviews

Echoes of "Cimarron" and "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral"

This obvious attempt by RKO to duplicate the success of "Cimarron" (1930) actually succeeds, despite all the odds against it. The budget is only half for a start (and so is the running time) but it's still very lavishly produced. Secondly, heroine Margot Grahame is certainly no Irene Dunne, but she's a very capable and highly sympathetic player nonetheless. Thirdly, the movie lacks an epic stampede but it still manages some really vigorous action sequences including a knock-out climax which has echoes of the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Actor Richard Dix's manly presence is just right for the Wyatt Earp character, while Louis Calhern plays the slimy villain with all the fascination of an utterly vicious yet superficially elegant snake. Preston Foster was always better at the badman-turned-goodie (or vice versa) type of role and is in his element here. The support players include such dyed-in-the-wool villains as Joe Sawyer and even Marc Lawrence, whilst that perennial soak, Francis Ford, is all nicely dressed up here and hardly recognizable as the well-groomed mayor. Etta McDaniel also gets a chance to shine. Director Vidor handles the film's many action scenes with a bold and vigorous hand that will have even the most jaded western fans cheering.