The Courageous Avenger (1935)

An agent sent to investigate the thefts of gold bullion shipments discovers that the mine owner is behind it. He also finds out that the owner has his gang capture travelers in the desert to use as slave labor in the mine.

Director:

Robert N. Bradbury

Writer:

Charles F. Royal (story)

Stars:

Johnny Mack Brown, Helen Ericson, Warner Richmond

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Johnny Mack Brown	...	Kirk Baxter
Helen Ericson	...	Beth Stonewell
Warner Richmond	...	Gorman
Eddie Parker	...	Henchman Wellford
Ed Cassidy	...	Mr. Carson (as E. Cassidy)
Frank Ball	...	M. H. Davis
Forrest Taylor	...	The Chief
Earl Dwire	...	Prisoner

Storyline

Kirk Baxter has been sent to investigate murder and robbery involving gold shipments. Identifying a gang member by his bullets, he uses that man's horse to locate and join the gang. He learns the gang is tipped off to the shipments by a mine employee using carrier pigeons. But the next message reveals his true identity and he is made a prisoner.

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Plot Keywords:

gold | slave | gold mine

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Taglines:

A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE IN THE GREED FOR GOLD! (original ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

El intrépido vengador

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Supreme Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

58 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Slaves In The Desert

The Courageous Avenger casts Johnny Mack Brown as an express agent investigating a series of gold shipment robberies that occur in the desert. Shipments take the desert trail, but they never return and often drivers and guards are found dead. Brown has a personal interest because the last driver killed was the brother of his girl friend Helen Erickson.

There's an inside man who is getting word to his confederates on the desert by an old tried and true method which I will not reveal, it's half of the story. In addition though these guys have another racket going. Out there on the desert these outlaws have found a silver mine and they waylay travelers on the desert to work as slave labor in said mine. They make silver bullets to use which sure does mark their victims, but also gives them away. Not like they're the Lone Ranger who's a good guy or they're hunting werewolves and really need those bullets. Why not just go into town and get the regular lead kind? Interesting gimmick, but kind of dumb when you analyze it.

The Courageous Avenger has however got an exciting climax where Brown rounds up the whole gang with a nice chase scene through the desert where some good stunt work is featured. It's not a great film, but passable enough entertainment.