Desert Gold (1936)

Chet Kasedon is after the Indians hidden gold mine but Chief Moya will not reveal it's location. He has also hired mining engineers Gale and Mortimer to locate the mine. When Gale sees Kasedon's cruelty to Moya, he switches sides.

Director:

James P. Hogan (as James Hogan)

Writers:

Stuart Anthony (screenplay), Robert Yost (screenplay)

Stars:

Buster Crabbe, Tom Keene, Monte Blue

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Buster Crabbe	...	Chief Moya (as Larry 'Buster' Crabbe)
Tom Keene	...	Randolph Gale
Monte Blue	...	Chetley 'Chet' Kasedon
Marsha Hunt	...	Judy Belding
Robert Cummings	...	Fordyce 'Ford' Mortimer
Raymond Hatton	...	Doc Belding
Frank Mayo	...	Bert Lash - Henchman
Walter Miller	...	Hank Ladd - Henchman
Leif Erickson	...	Glenn Kasedon (as Glenn Erikson)

Storyline

Chet Kasedon is after the Indians hidden gold mine but Chief Moya will not reveal it's location. He has also hired mining engineers Gale and Mortimer to locate the mine. When Gale sees Kasedon's cruelty to Moya, he switches sides.

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Plot Keywords:

superstition mountains arizona | arizona territory | territory | father daughter relationship | mining engineer | 

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Taglines:

GREED! FOR A GIRL AMD GOLD...PROVED TO BE THE UNDOING OF A RENEGADE! (print ad - Lubbock Morning Avalanche - Lindsey Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - March 31, 1936 - all caps)

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although this film was re-released under its original title, when it was sold to television, the title was changed to "Desert Storm" most likely to protect the theatrical re-release which was still in progress in many territories. It was first telecast in New York City Sunday 10 January 1954 on WCBS (Channel 2), in Detroit Saturday 1 May 1954 on WXYZ (Channel 7), and in Los Angeles Sunday 6 June 1954 on KNBH (Channel 4); in San Francisco it was first broadcast Friday 29 July 1955 on KPIX (Channel 5).

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Goofs

Doc Belding, (Raymond Hatton), climbs down the left side of the stage to pull a tooth at the beginning of the movie. After pulling the tooth, he climbs out the window on the right, to get back to the left side of the drivers seat.

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Quotes

Doc Belding: You know, weddings are something like measles.
Judith Belding: Measles?
Doc Belding: Yeah, you got to have 'em once to get used to 'em.

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Connections

Remake of Desert Gold (1919)

User Reviews

Good Zane Grey Adaptation!

"Desert Gold" was another in the series of well produced 60 minute (or less) Zane Grey adaptations that Paramount turned out in the 1930s. Although there are considered "B" films, they had bigger budgets, better production values and a vast store of stock footage to set them above the average "B" western.

The story starts out with Maya (Buster Crabbe) being made chief of the local Indian tribe. It seems that there is a hidden gold mine on Indian grounds and villain Chet Kasedon (Monte Blue) is after it. Kasedon has sent for mining engineer Randolph Gale (Tom Keene) to help him find the mine.

Aboard the stagecoach with Gale are the comely young Judith Belding (Marsha Hunt) who, as it turns out is engaged to marry Kasedon. Travelling with Gale is his assistant, now get this, Fordyce Mortimer (Robert Cummings in an early role) and Judith's father Doc Belding, the town doctor.

At first Gale is unaware of Kasedon's misdeeds but when he finds him whipping Maya to make him talk, he promptly switches sides and pursues Judith on the side.

It's fun to watch these old films and see up and coming players in early roles. Cummings though a little over the top is nonetheless hilarious as the comic relief. Marsha Hunt was never prettier as the heroine. Keene does a creditable job as the hero. Its interesting to note that when RKO revived the Zane Grey series in the mid 40s, Keene, who had by then re-invented himself as Richard Powers, played the villain in a couple of installments.

Watch for Leif (billed as "Glenn") Erikson as Kasedon's brother and Si Jenks in a hilarious bit as the stagecoach driver. Veteran heavy Walter Miller also appears as (what else?) one of the bag guys.

Pleasant little film with great outdoor photography.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 March 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Desert Storm

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

58 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1