Pals of the Saddle is a 1938 "Three Mesquiteers" Western film
starring John Wayne and directed by George Sherman.
The film is notable for being the final film in which silent film icon Louise Brooks performed.
Wayne played the lead in eight of the fifty-one films in the popular series
After his unhappy spell, with the 6 picture deal with Universal,
things changed for the better.
Pals_of_the_Saddle_lobby_card.jpg
A series of 'B' Westerns, was being updated, with Duke
being invited into the role of Stony Brooke, recently vacated by
by Bob Livingston.
The Three Mesquiteers
was a popular series for Republic , and Duke's winning personality,
soon worked in, with the established characters, Ray Corrigan, as Tuscon Smith,
Max Terhune as Lullaby Johnson, and Terhune's dummy, Elmer.
Duke made 8 of these and this was his first.
Although, it is said, he found them to be dreary, and a drudgery.
I can remember seeing them, on the Saturday morning matinees,
with all the kids, yelling, booing and hissing, at every other interval.
I remember Elmer, with great fondness, oh and yes Duke of course.
What an improvement he was, in these, and the Duke we now ,know and love,
was at least shining through.
QuoteThey were horrible montrosities
he told writer Maurice Zolotow.
However, what Duke didn't realise, is that they had exposed him,
to a much bigger audience, including 'A' pictures, audiences.
They may have been a drudgery, but within months,
the big bang, was there
Stagecoach
User Review
QuoteA 'Best of the Best' Wayne Skeeters Outing
11 February 2005 | by Mesquiteer (Cyprus)
If you have any partiality towards B oaters then this is impossible not to like. In fact, it is in my Top 10 for this category of less-than-A sagebrush sagas. Some complain the emphasis in the Wayne Mesquiteer movies was on him and not the group. I think the camaraderie aspect is handled with gusto by director George Sherman right up front in the story and suitably reinforced throughout the plot. Granted, Max Terhune as Lullaby Joslin has too many "I'll look after the horses!" moments but he is not left to get lost. Ray Corrigan as Tucson Smith has wonderful times of camera mugging, a comedic style for which he has never been properly acknowledged. John Wayne, is, well, John Wayne, a presence to be reckoned with. The Duke's "Listen Mr. Big Chest" remark to Corrigan as they duel verbally over the femme interest is a great moment. Undoubtedly unscripted.
This Mesquiteer epic also has more plot, more action and more stunts than most in the series. Hey, and a flag-wavin', patriotic story line that takes you right back to a kinder era. Herbert Yates, the head of Republic Pictures, obviously knew what (who) he had on contract and was actually investing in his product. It shows throughout the picture. The is a big B. And when the Mesquiteers do that triple-tandem leap onto a moving covered wagon, well, you've got all the thrills, all the action and all the spirit of "all for one, one for all" trigger trio cowboy flick any fan could stand
.
