The Texans

"The Texans" is a post civil war picture that is set in Texas. The story centers around carpetbaggers trying to cheat Texas ranchers out of their land which eventually forces them to undertake a cattle drive to Abeline.

The movie has the look and feel of a classic western but there's something missing. It has plenty of action to be sure, but the action sequences have the look of stock footage which Paramount was fond of using during the 30's. The Zane Grey series, most of which starred Randolph Scott is a case in point. The chief villain (Robert Barrat) is presented alternately as a heartless villain and buffoon, a major weakness in the story line. There are also too many obvious "studio exterior" shots for my liking.

In a major case of miscasting, Joan Bennett plays the heroine who we are to believe is a gun runner and large ranch owner. Why during her escape from town even gets a smudge of dirt on her pretty face, but not a hair is out of place. Somebody like Jean Arthur would have been more convincing. Randolph Scott is good as the hero, and May Robson as "Granna" virtually steals the picture. Robert Cummings as Scott's rival for the affections of Ms. Bennett, Walter Brennan as Bennett's crusty foreman and Raymond Hatton as Scott's sidekick are also along for the ride. Francis Ford (brother of John) stands out in a featured role as "Uncle Dud". If you look real close, you might spot Clayton Moore and Richard Denning in bit parts.

But as I suggested earlier, the picture suffers from the lack of a strong villain. A good western, but could have been much better.