The Man from Utah (1934)

In a horse-riding rodeo contest bad guys want John Weston to lose. When he doesn't go along they add some insurance: a poisoned needle just under his saddle.

Director:

Robert N. Bradbury (as Robert Bradbury)

Writers:

Lindsley Parsons (story), Lindsley Parsons (screenplay)

Stars:

John Wayne, Polly Ann Young, Anita Campillo

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Wayne	...	John Weston
Polly Ann Young	...	Marjorie Carter
Anita Campillo	...	Dolores (as Anita Compillo)
Edward Peil Sr.	...	Spike Barton (as Edward Peil)
George 'Gabby' Hayes	...	Marshal George Higgins (as George Hayes)
Yakima Canutt	...	Cheyenne Kent
George Cleveland	...	Nevada Sheriff

Storyline

The Marshal sends John Weston to a rodeo to see if he can find out who is killing the rodeo riders who are about to win the prize money. Barton has organized the rodeo and plans to leave with all the prize money put up by the townspeople. When it appears that Weston will beat Barton's rider, he has his men prepare the same fate for him that befell the other riders.

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Plot Keywords:

b movie | poverty row film | henchman | song | singer | 

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Taglines:

Action on the Range and in the Rodeo (Original-release poster)

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Genres:

Adventure | Crime | Romance | Sport | Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 May 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rodeo

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paul Malvern Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min 52 min (Encore-Westerns Library Print)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film received its initial telecasts in Syracuse Sunday 1 May 1949 on WHEN (Channel 8), in Detroit Tuesday 17 May 1949 on WXYZ (Channel 7), in Los Angeles Sunday 31 July 1949 on KTSL (Channel 2) and Saturday 4 March 1950 on KECA (Channel 7), in Cincinnati Monday 5 September 1949 on WCPO (Channel 7), and in Philadelphia Monday 5 December 1949 on WFIL (Channel 6); in New York City its earliest documented telecast occurred Monday 21 August 1950 on WOR (Channel 9).

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Goofs

The rodeo announcer uses a megaphone throughout the event, even though loudspeakers are clearly seen in the grandstands.

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Quotes

John Weston: Before I could get either one to spill anything, the whole gang jumped me... and I had to carve myself a fast walking stick.

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Remade as The Utah Kid (1944)

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Soundtracks

Sing Me a Song of the Wild
(uncredited)
Written by Robert N. Bradbury
Sung by John Wayne (dubbed by Jack Kirk) in the opening scene

User Reviews

Ride 'em Duke

"The Man From Utah" is another of the Lone Star Westerns Wayne made in the 30's. This one has a rodeo setting with the Duke trying to outsmart the gang behind the murders and deceptive practices occurring therein.

The producers make extensive use of footage shot at some long forgotten rodeo. With the money they saved they actually were able to come up with a pleasant enough musical score, a rarity for poverty row quickies. They even were able to incorporate a left over "musical" number from one of Wayne's ill-fated "Singin'" Sandy Saunders efforts at the beginning, even though it has nothing to do with the rest of the picture.

The cast includes Polly Ann (sister of Loretta) Young as the heroine and Anita Compille as the good/bad girl competing for the Duke's affections. George (pre-"Gabby")Hayes is along again, this time as a Marshal. Edward Piel Sr. is the chief bad guy and once again proving that as an actor, he made a great stuntman, Yakima Canutt.

Not the best of the Lone Star series, but not the worst either.