Henry Jethrow is after the Wilson ranch. He has George Wilson unknowningly sign a note for the ranch, has him killed, and then presents the note.Henry Jethrow is after the Wilson ranch. He has George Wilson unknowningly sign a note for the ranch, has him killed, and then presents the note.Henry Jethrow is after the Wilson ranch. He has George Wilson unknowningly sign a note for the ranch, has him killed, and then presents the note.
- Bart Wilson
- (as Billy Jr.)
- Deputy Tex Hatch
- (as Vic Potel)
- Sheriff Barnes
- (as Bill Desmond)
- Casey
- (as Bill McKenzie)
- Deputy Rio
- (as Harrison Martel)
- Barfly
- (uncredited)
- …
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
- Chief Burrows
- (uncredited)
- Deputy
- (uncredited)
- Doctor
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsEven though the story is taking place during stagecoach days, in one sequence the principals enter and leave the Bank of America, Lone Pine Branch, as it looked in 1934, with trademark BofA name and lettering on the doors and windows.
- Quotes
Chief Burrows: Now, Bill, these last three hold-ups look like the work of an organized gang. Every time that stagecoach has carried heavy treasure they've robbed it.
Bill 'Pinto Kid' Maywood: That does look like inside information.
Chief Burrows: I can't give you any clues - there aren't any - but there's one advantage. They don't know you down in San Marco and I don't mind tellin' you that I'll feel my job's a whole lot safer with you on this case.
Bill 'Pinto Kid' Maywood: Thanks, Chief! Well, I'd better get to work because I don't want a new boss.
Chief Burrows: And I don't you to have a new one. Now use your own judgment - it's up to you. But bring 'em in!
"Frontier Days" is actually one of Bill Cody's best sound features. That's still not saying a whole lot since he is often credited with having made the worst B western of them all "The Border Menace" in 1934. His real-life son Bill Cody, Jr., helps the picture by giving it a little more zest and energy. In this film, Cody, Jr., plays the younger brother of Beth Wilson (Ada Ince in one of her few movie roles). He's always teasing his sister who becomes struck on the Pinto Kid (Bill Cody). Bart Wilson (Cody, Jr.) takes a liking to the Pinto Kid and continues to stand up for him even when he is framed for the murder of Bart and Beth's father by the bad guys led by Henry Jethrow (Wheeler Oakman) who is determined to get the Wilson ranch using any means possible. Wheeler Oakman plays Jethrow in a manner reminiscent of the Snidely Whiplash type villain popular in the melodramas of the silent era. The Pinto Kid is determined to save the ranch, win the lovely beth, and find the ones who killed her father.
The film is excruciatingly slow moving for a shoot-em-up most of the time. There are a few good fights to liven things up but they are too few and too far between the talking. Bill Cody was one of the fastest of the cowboy pugilists. His style, since he was a fairly little fellow, is similar to the best fighting cowboy of them all Bob Steele. It appears that the cameras used fast speed to make Cody look even quicker whereas Bob Steele's fights seemed to be at normal speed.
Bill Cody also wore a big hat that looked more like a sombrero, similar to one that silent cowboy star Tom Mix wore from time to time. He also rode a little pinto, Chico, who was billed second to Cody in the credits, hence his stage name the Pinto Kid.
The dialog is stilted and much of the acting seems to be a hold over from the silent days even though this film was released in 1934 when most talky actors had either adjusted to the new medium or had fallen by the wayside. The actors spend too much time expressing their feelings by exaggerated eye movements and facial and physical expressions the way it was done on the silent screen.
This film is somewhat of a curio, but still worthwhile for western fans who have never seen a Bill Cody movie. His fisticuffs are entertaining.
- krorie
- Jan 5, 2006
Details
- Runtime1 hour 1 minute
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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