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Wild Horse Range (film)

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Wild Horse Range
Poster for the film
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRaymond K. Johnson
Screenplay byCarl Krusada
Story byTom Gibson
Produced byHarry S. Webb
StarringJack Randall
CinematographyEdward A. Kull
William Hyer
Edited byRobert S. Golden
Music byJohnny Lange
Lew Porter
Production
company
Release date
  • June 25, 1940 (1940-06-25) (US)[1]
Running time
58 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Wild Horse Range is a 1940 American Western film written by Carl Krusada from a story by Tom Gibson. It was directed by Raymond K. Johnson, and stars Jack Randall.

Plot

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Jack Wallace is a horse trader who, along with his partner, Manny, is undercut at the auctions time and again by Arnold, another horse trader. Frustrated by their lack of success, Wallace reasons that the only way Arnold can continually undercut him is if his rival is selling stolen horses. However, he no proof to back up his conclusion. In order to get the needed evidence, he starts tracking down some of the horses which have recently been stolen from his herd. This leads him to Arrowhead Ranch, whose owner is Harriet Morgan. Harriet lives on the ranch with her niece, Ann. Harriet tells him that she has indeed been losing stock, but that their ranch hands are claiming that the horses were not stolen, but were being encouraged by a white stallion to leave the herd.

There is obvious romantic chemistry between Wallace and Ann, and when he offers to investigate the matter, Harriet readily agrees. Wallace and Manny take off to track down the mysterious white stallion. As they track the stallion, they are led to a remote ranch, which is the hideout of Arnold and his gang of rustlers, which includes the ranch hands from the Arrowhead Ranch. In the corral are the next bunch of stolen horses they plan to sell. They realize the white stallion led them to the rustlers. They open the corral gate and release the stolen horses, who are led away by the stallion. After a fierce gun battle, Wallace and Manny take the gang and deliver them to the sheriff, after which they return the horses to their rightful owners.

Returning to the ranch, Wallace is embraced by Ann, and agrees to settle down on the ranch.

Cast

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Production

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In late April, 1940 it was reported that production on the film had begun.[2] Filming was concluded by May 8,[3][4] and it went into the editing room shortly after.[5] While a release date had not yet been set, in mid-May it was revealed that Jack Randall would be in the starring role, with the rest of the cast including Frank Yaconelli, Phyllis Ruth, Marin Sais, Ralph Hoopes, and Tom London. Raymond K. Johnson was announced as the director, with the screenplay by Karl Krusada, while Harry Webb would handle the producing duties.[6] On June 1, it was reported that the release date for the film would be June 18.[7] However, the release was delayed by one week, releasing on June 25.[1][8] The Legion of Decency gave the film a class A1 rating, meaning it was "Unobjectionable for General Patronage".[9][10]

Reception

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The Film Daily gave the picture a lukewarm review, calling it a "routine western", but saying that it had enough "action to make it okay for cowboy fans". They complimented the direction and cinematography.[11] Showmen's Trade Review likewise gave the film a lukewarm write-up. They felt that there were some "inconsistencies" in the plot, like the lead being able to read by moonlight, and also were less kind to the cinematography, which they felt was static. While they felt the romantic angle left much to be desired, they felt that the film had its entertaining moments and, like The Film Daily, felt that it would have appeal for fans of the Western genre.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Wild Horse Range". American Film Institute. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  2. ^ "Studios Maintain Pace With 48 Films in Work". Motion Picture Daily. April 30, 1940. p. 8. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon
  3. ^ "Coast Holding Active Pace; 48 Shooting". Motion Picture Daily. May 9, 1940. p. 10. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon
  4. ^ "Studios Finish Ten, Start Ten More". Motion Picture Herald. May 11, 1940. p. 58. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon
  5. ^ "The Studio Check-Up". Showmen's Trade Review. May 11, 1940. p. 24. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon
  6. ^ "In The Cutting Room: Wild Horse Range". Motion Picture Herald. May 18, 1940. p. 42. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon
  7. ^ "The Release Chart:Monogram". Motion Picture Herald. June 1, 1940. p. 68. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon
  8. ^ "The Release Chart:Monogram". Motion Picture Herald. June 29, 1940. p. 62. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon
  9. ^ "Legion Approves 4 of Five New Pictures". Motion Picture Daily. June 25, 1940. p. 26. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon
  10. ^ "National Decency Legion Classifies Five Films". Motion Picture Herald. June 29, 1940. p. 42. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon
  11. ^ "Review of the New Films: "Wild Horse Range"". The Film Daily. June 18, 1940. p. 5. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon
  12. ^ "Wild Horse Range". Showmen's Trade Review. June 22, 1940. p. 24. Retrieved August 31, 2021.Open access icon