Wagons Westward (1940)
THE SCREEN; 'Wagons Westward,' With Chester Morris, Comes to the Criterion
Published: July 8, 1940
There are a lot of shooting irons in "Wagons Westward," which rolled into the Criterion on Saturday, and they all go off. For the leather-necked varmints around Mesa City are the sort of desperadoes who prefer to carry on conversation through the sights of a six-gun. When Chester Morris as the twin of one of their apprehended leaders goes in to bring them to heel, the safety catches are off, and it's every man for himself. Perhaps the story that Joseph Moncure March and Harrison Jacob have fabricated is more top-heavy than original, but the action, when it comes, is hot and furious. Hardly a mother's son in the cast emerges with epidermis intact.
Playing the roles of both the captured bandit and the brother in government employ, Mr. Morris of course bears a striking resemblance to himself. But his little exercise in duplicity goes awry when he has to carry on with one of his imprisoned brother's inamoratas. It is only after he has led the gangs into ambush as they attack a wagon train that he finally meets—and disposes of—his malevolent double in mortal combat and discovers his true love in the lady's sister.
Before this quixotic finale the guns are smoking from more than one encounter. And the director has brought a good deal of excitement into the last showdown when there is a clatter of hoofs amid the rocks and a moment later all hell breaks loose while the boys fight it out in moonlight. With Mr. Morris giving a tight-lipped performance in duet, a comic portrayal of a grizzled old swamper by George Hayes, and a competent supporting cast, "Wagons Westward" is at least a couple of notches above the routine horse-opera.
WAGONS WESTWARD— Original screen play by Joseph Moncure March and Harrison Jacobs; directed by Lew Landers for Republic Pictures; at Loews Criterion.
David Cook/Tom Cook. . . . . Chester Morris
Phyllis . . . . . Anita Louise
Sheriff McDaniels . . . . . Buck Jones
Julie . . . . . Ona Munson
Hardtack . . . . . George "Gabby" Hayes
Hardman . . . . . "Big Boy" Guinn Williams
Marsden . . . . . Douglas Fowley
Blackie . . . . . John Gallaudet
Angela Cook . . . . . Virginia Brissac
Alan Cook . . . . . Trevor Bardette
Major Mariowe . . . . . Selmer Jackson
Pima . . . . . Charles Stevens
David as a Boy . . . . . Wayne Hull
Tom as a Boy . . . . . Warren Hull
