Overland Stage Raiders 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.
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 second
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.
Quote
They 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
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User Review
Quote
Author: Jim Tritten from Corrales, NM
A real solid class "B" western with a pre-John Ford John Wayne at his shooting and roping best. Second of the "Three Mesquiteers"
series, the plot is both far-fetched and intriguing for its ingenuity.
Who would expect to go to a Saturday matinée and see a second billed western
that involves the tactical integration of aerial spotting in defense of overland lines of communication,*
communications deception, gas hand grenades used to defend an improvised landing strip,*
parachuting cowboys and passengers, the hijacking and retaking of a cattle train, a talking ventriloquist's dummy in flight gear,
and an in-flight robbery -- all within less than an hour!
A more thorough examination of the plot reveals that John Wayne is aligned with the common folks
against the evil and unscrupulous capitalist bus company owner who will go to no end to prevent the loss of his lucrative*
contract to carry the gold. I mean this movie introduces some basic economic theory into its entertainment.
Quite a lot to process within such a short time. The bad guys are either shot outright, roped and hog-tied,*
or beaten into submission. Oh yes, Louise Brooks plays a quite forgettable part as the sister of the pilot.
Not your run of the mill film. Not well made with a very lackluster ending, but worth your time.*
This one is a hoot!
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