A Holy Terror (1931)

A Holy Terror (1931)***

Fox Films
Director: Irving Cummings

A Holy Terror is not exactly a western but I had to review it since A: it is from 1931 and B: it is one of Humphrey Bogart's early films. Has there really ever been anyone cooler than Humphrey Bogart? There are a few crazy scenes in it as well that make what would be a very obvious movie into something pretty fun to watch (like our hero doing loops in in airplane and then crashing into a bathroom; lady in shower).
  George O'Brian stars as the adventurous New Yorker, Tony Bard, whose father is shot and no one knows who did it. He finds out his father changed his name many years ago and also that he has been keeping track of some rancher out in Wyoming (James Kirkwood). Bogart plays the villainous ranch foreman Steve Nash and there are two ladies in the mix (Sally Eilers and Rita La Roy). Find out what happens, and if you don't like this one you only spent 53 minutes and you got to see Bogart play the antagonist!

Texas Cyclone (1932)

Texas Cyclone (1932)***

Columbia Pictures
Director: D. Ross Lederman

Texas Cyclone is a "mistaken identity" tale set in the fictional town of Stampede, Arizona. "Texas" Grant (Tim McCoy) moseys into town and is mistaken for Jim Rawlings who mysteriously disappeared years back. Grant is talked into helping this town and Rawlings' widow Helen (Shirley Grey) against the villainy of Utah Becker (Wheeler Oakman). He is helped by the only loyal hand left at the Rawlings' ranch, Steve Pickett (John Wayne). McCoy is not a great actor but more importantly he was the real deal; a rancher out in Wyoming. It isn't that he stinks he just overacts a little but remains charming. This one has a surprise twist at the end!