Whistlin' Dan

A re-make of the Buck Jones vehicle, "Border Law" which was released less than six months previously, "Whistlin' Dan" is nonetheless one of Ken Maynard's best features, not only because of its lively action and its often pellmell direction, but because of its outstanding support cast. Even the small roles are all scripted and played with both credibility and charisma. Ken himself shines in a difficult role (even if obviously doubled in his fistfight showdown and wall-climbing bit).

First off, we have Georges Renavent, the perennial head waiter in scores of "A" productions, here making the most of a really colorful but thoroughly nasty villain; secondly, a heroine who actually has not only an important part to play in the action but a specialty of her own (namely, two torrid dance sequences); thirdly, a sympathetic victim, who is extremely well characterized by normally lackluster Don Terry; fourthly, an obligatory pal for our hero, but on this occasion acted by Harlan Knight with far more vigor and insight than the usual sidekick.

Phil Rosen's direction seems a bit rough in one or two of the many action sequences, but with location shooting and running inserts galore, I'm not complaining.