Happily, thanks largely to its gifted cast, its unusual but highly interesting story, its extremely skillful direction, superb cinematography and comparatively high budget, Fargo Express is one of Ken Maynard's best films. A happy circumstance because Fargo Express also certainly rates as the finest DVD transfer of a 1930's "B" western available to fans in 2008.
Most fans seem unaware that some, if not all of Ken's movies for KBS were originally released on tinted stock. This explains why black-and-white TV prints have an over-exposed washed-out look. In order to compensate for the tinting, the negative was deliberately over-exposed. When positive prints were tinted in the lab, the tinting restored depth and contrast. Without over-exposure, tinting would make the image too dark. So here at last is a superb tinted print in almost pristine condition that reveals exactly what audiences expected to see (and what in fact they did see) back in 1932.
In addition to its marvelous location and studio cinematography, Fargo Express gives us a highly enjoyable story with plenty of novel twists and piquant situations. Maynard has an excellent role and is much his usual charismatic self, although he does tend to be over-shadowed both by Paul Fix and Helen Mack. Brilliant as Fix is as the charming no-good, it's Helen Mack who carries off the acting honors by turning in a truly stunning performance in a supremely difficult role. The script requires her to play her little heroine as either incredibly stupid or deliberately vicious. Miss Mack brilliantly contrives to play her role both ways!
The support cast is also outstanding. William Desmond is exactly right as the stolid sheriff. Honest, fearless but not over-bright, the sheriff at one stage has to be told to hide behind a rock so that he and the hero can surprise the heavies (pictured on the lobby card). And yes the script offers good walk-ons for a good many of our favorites, including Charles King, Hank Bell, Jack Rockwell and Ben Corbett. Even "Tarzan", the palomino, has a neat "character" role for once.
Most fans seem unaware that some, if not all of Ken's movies for KBS were originally released on tinted stock. This explains why black-and-white TV prints have an over-exposed washed-out look. In order to compensate for the tinting, the negative was deliberately over-exposed. When positive prints were tinted in the lab, the tinting restored depth and contrast. Without over-exposure, tinting would make the image too dark. So here at last is a superb tinted print in almost pristine condition that reveals exactly what audiences expected to see (and what in fact they did see) back in 1932.
In addition to its marvelous location and studio cinematography, Fargo Express gives us a highly enjoyable story with plenty of novel twists and piquant situations. Maynard has an excellent role and is much his usual charismatic self, although he does tend to be over-shadowed both by Paul Fix and Helen Mack. Brilliant as Fix is as the charming no-good, it's Helen Mack who carries off the acting honors by turning in a truly stunning performance in a supremely difficult role. The script requires her to play her little heroine as either incredibly stupid or deliberately vicious. Miss Mack brilliantly contrives to play her role both ways!
The support cast is also outstanding. William Desmond is exactly right as the stolid sheriff. Honest, fearless but not over-bright, the sheriff at one stage has to be told to hide behind a rock so that he and the hero can surprise the heavies (pictured on the lobby card). And yes the script offers good walk-ons for a good many of our favorites, including Charles King, Hank Bell, Jack Rockwell and Ben Corbett. Even "Tarzan", the palomino, has a neat "character" role for once.