O Ocaso do Poder

"Sunset of Power" is one of several westerns Buck Jones produced in the mid 1930's, and no surprise, this picture is serious and affords nary a smile as the ever-widening story tidily unfolds... oh, maybe one or two smiles, but because one is so caught off guard by a lighter moment the smile is fleeting.

The story concerns a cowhand who, although a bit acerbic, is pretty much standard issue but who is faced with a chance to rise above mediocrity in his life script. Charles Middleton gives a strong and disturbing look at a particularly bitter and mean old man, while elegant Dorothy Dix provides an earnest performance in a role that is both key and varied in its tasks (soon after this picture Dorothy decided to withdraw from her film career). Finally, Charles King moves through a fairly unusual good-guy role and does so without his trademark moustache.

The characters and the story carry this sensitive movie, as neither the interior sets nor the outdoor scenery are noteworthy. Scoring wells up now and then, too, and it is done tastefully and with care. I expect serious Buck Jones fans will enjoy this film.