Cyclone on Horseback (1941) User Reviews

Nice action, well played

[morrisonhimself · 7/10 · 27 December 2004]

Although it's nothing special, except for an exceptional cast, "Cyclone on Horseback" is worth watching for that exceptional cast.

Tim Holt is, of course, one of the classic stars of western movies. He was always a pleasant performer in even the lamest B westerns, and "Cyclone" is far from lame.

Marjorie Reynolds was one of the loveliest actresses ever to grace the silver screen, even though she seldom had the role to challenge or properly to showcase her.

Ray Whitley was one of the best singers of his genre and made a pretty good cowboy, too.

Dennis Moore also had one of the best voices in movies, although I don't think he was ever a singer.

All the actors were good, even those playing minor bad guys, and they were good cowboys, too, and I don't understand why more of them didn't make it to the top ranks.

One of the glories of this film is it lets the minor characters have a chance to shine.

All in all, "Cyclone" is an hour's worth of good entertainment.

Superior Grist

[boblipton · 6/10 · 10 October 2002]

Bright little Saturday afternoon oater, one of several dozens starring Tim Holt for RKO in the 1940s. If the script is, in the main, average, there are several surprising turns in the plot and occasional flashes of wit; the photography is excellent, and the cast is uniformly excellent, with the sole exception of Tim Holt, who seems a little stiff and dazed. That may have been an acting choice he made, given the script, and it makes sense but is, an unfortunate choice. Still, the movie is well worth your time.

Tim Holt B Western with Slim Whitaker as the sheriff

[jacobs-greenwood · 5/10 · 16 December 2016]

Another Tim Holt western with Smokey (Ray Whitley, who sings the songs) and Whopper (Lee 'Lasses' White, for comic relief) as his character's trusty sidekicks. This time Holt is Stan Bradford, who has just brought 40 head of horses to town for Jeff Corbin (Dennis Moore), so that Corbin can complete his contract stringing a line for the telephone company, a bid he won over Cobb Wayne (Harry Worth), who's none too happy about it. However, it seems that Corbin owes money all over town, though he's sent back East for money.

When Bradford learns he can't cash Corbin's check at the bank, Cobb pretends to be Corbin's friend and offers to advance him the $2,400 for a bill of sale. Tired, and encouraged by a hungry Whopper, Bradford accepts. Just then, however, the stage coach comes into town with Corbin's sister Mary (Marjorie Reynolds) aboard; she has bonds which will clear all of Corbin's debt. But she learns it's too late and is upset with Bradford for (unknowingly) selling the horses to her brother's rival Cobb.

Cobb's men (including Monte Montague) help Bradford take the horses to his place, but not before warning Cobb that Corbin's sister has the bonds. While she is en route to her brother is, Cobb's men move to steal her money, but Bradford & company see what's going on and intervene. They then escort her to her brother, who's in the midst of a fight with his unpaid workers. Bradford helps stop the fight and finally meets a grateful Corbin. Once he explains about the mix- up with the horses, Bradford feels guilty enough to loan Corbin the money in exchange for the bonds so that he can complete the telephone line by the deadline. However, Cobb has telegraphed the police to report stolen bonds such that Bradford is arrested when he attempts to cash them at the bank.

Bradford loses at checkers to the Sheriff (Slim Whitaker) just when Mary arrives to explain that the bond situation will be cleared up soon. The Sheriff takes her at her word and releases Bradford but holds her in his place. When Cobb learns of Bradford's release, he decides to have Corbin killed so that Bradford can't help him complete the job. Corbin is only wounded, but can work no more. Out of jail, Mary holds back Bradford's pay "forcing" him to help in her brother's place while he recovers. Cobb's men aren't through yet, they dynamite the canyon route eliminating Corbin's plan B. However, Bradford and Corbin's man Pete (Eddie Dew, serving as the punching dummy in this one;-) come up with plan C.

Of course, Cobb and his men will try to stop them and fail, but not until there is a shootout and more fistfight action. Cobb's men seemed to have overlooked the most obvious solution throughout this film, cut the line! Then again, these B Westerns are meant to be nothing more than an hour's entertainment.

Stringing up Ma Bell

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 28 July 2018]

Cyclone On Horseback finds Tim Holt, Ray Whitley, and Lee 'Lasses' White coming to town to sell horses to Dennis Moore. Moore is bringing progress to the west, he's stringing up telephone lines. But he's got a cash flow problem when Holt wants to be paid.

Villain Harry Worth who Moore under bid for the wiring contract tells Holt he'll stand good for Moore's debt. Sadly Marjorie Reynolds who is Moore's sister arrives just a tad late to prevent this swindle. After that Holt, White, and Whitley get dragged somewhat reluctantly into wiring the west for Ma Bell.

This is a fast paced western which allows a little room for some comedy and not just at the expense of Lee White. Holt and Reynolds engage a bit in what we would later see from Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Some of their cute games really get a bit much at times.

Tim Holt fans will be pleased.

Great Cowboy Hall of Fame Star!

[whpratt1 · 10/10 · 28 September 2004]

Growing up and enjoying the movies on Saturday afternoon, you could view three or four Cowboy Films starring Tim Holt and his fast draw with the pistols. In this film, Tim Holt(Stan Bradford),"Monster That Challenged the World",'57, was a horse rancher who got involved with putting up telephone wire and was bossed around by Marjorie Reynolds,(Mary Corbin),"The Fatal Hour",'40, who told Tim Holt, 'You can't hang wire over the trees and expect to lift a heavy role of wire on your back'.! If you like good old time Cowboy pictures and great classic actors, this is the film for you. Marjorie Reynolds appeared in many B Films along with Boris Karloff in the Dr. Wong Series and many murder mysteries, usually as a reporter for a newspaper. ENJOY!