Jack Randall probably could have become a bigger star, judging by his performance here, if he had had more experience and more exposure.
His director in "Across the Plains" was one of the all-time greats, Spencer Gordon Bennett, who did some wonderful work as far back as the silent days.
I remember watching a serial at the lamented Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax in Los Angeles and just marveling at the attention to detail Bennett paid. I sat in absolute awe then and at his later pictures.
Bennett, Randall, and the cast had a good story, one that got used in many variations and by many production companies, but the low budget got in the way.
For example, the fight scenes were really lame. No Yakima Canutt or David Sharpe was present to get that wild action that highlighted, for example, John Wayne and Republic pictures battles.
But there were superior players to make up for those lacks. Frank Yaconelli was one of the best "Mexicans" Hollywood ever had, and Joyce Bryant was lovely, although she didn't get to do much besides look good.
Dennis Moore has always impressed me, partly because of his great voice, but he's usually more than adequate in even the small roles he had. He too is someone I think should have become a star.
Glenn Strange is always good to see, and he had a different role here, a somewhat understated good guy. Remember Glenn Strange was so often so evil, why, once he even shot Charlie King in the back! Now that's low.
Bud Osborne got a meaty part, and, as usual, he handled it beautifully. He was always dependable and frequently a better actor than others in whatever cast he was in.
"Across the Plains" is available on Westerns on the Web, one of the greatest innovations since Algore invented the Internet. I recommend it, even though it's not the greatest western I've seen, not even seen this week. But it was my first chance to see Jack Randall, and now I'm going to look for more of his films.
