The Night Riders [Blu-ray]

Director: George Sherman George Sherman

Overview

This "Three Mesquiteers" western is based upon the exploits of one James Addison Reavis, a clever 19th century con artist who through a series of elaborate land swindlers tried to declare himself owner of the state of Arizona (Reavis' checkered career was later the basis for Samuel Fuller's The Baron of Arizona, starring Vincent Price). George Douglas plays the Reavis character, here named Talbot. Establishing himself as dictator of an unnamed western territory, Talbot taxes the citizens beyond endurance. Enter the Three Mesquiteers-Stony Brooke (John Wayne), Tucson Smith (Ray Corrigan) and Lullaby Joslin (Max Terhune) - who don capes and masks to do battle with Talbot's minions under cover of darkness. Part of the plot hinges on the fact that only President Garfield knows that the Mesquiteer's "crimes" are being committed on behalf of Liberty and Justice For All - and when Garfield is assassinated, our heroes are up the proverbial creek without the proverbial paddle.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/02/2012
UPC:	0887090047203
Original Release:	1939
Rating:	NR
Source:	Olive
Presentation:	[B&W]
Language:	English
Time:	0:56:00
Sales rank:	16,762

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

John Wayne	Stony Brooke
Ray Corrigan	Tucson Smith,Tucson Smith
Max Terhune	Lullaby Joslin
Doreen McKay	Soledad
Ruth Rogers	Susan Randall
George Douglas	Pierce Talbot/Don Luis De Serrano
Tom Tyler	Jackson
Kermit Maynard	Sheriff Pratt
Sammy McKim	Tim
Walter Wills	Hazelton
Ethan Laidlaw	Andrews
Edward Peil Sr.	Harper
Tom London	Wilson
Jack Ingram	Wilkins
William Nestell	Allen
Cactus Mack	Henchman Rent Collector (uncredited)
Lee Shumway	Rancher (uncredited)
Hal Price	Rancher (uncredited)
Hank Worden	Rancher (uncredited)
Roger Williams	Rancher (uncredited)
Olin Francis	Army Enlistee Getting Socked (uncredited)
Francis Walker	Army Enlistee (uncredited)
Hugh Prosser	Federal Man (uncredited)
Jack Kirk	Tavern Keeper (uncredited)
Yakima Canutt	Mob Member at Gate (uncredited)
Glenn Strange	Angry Riverboat Gambler (uncredited)
David Sharpe	Henchman Rent Collector (uncredited)
Bud Osborne	Army Enlistee (uncredited)
Francis Sayles	James Garfield
Georgia Summers	Aunt Martha (uncredited)
William Lava	Composer

Technical Credits

William Berke	Producer
George Sherman	Director

Editorial Reviews

Perhaps the only film to feature President James Garfield (played here by an unidentified bit actor), this Three Mesquiteers series entry from Republic remains a no-nonsense, fast-paced oater typical of the bustling and never less than technically competent San Fernando Valley studio. It is amusing to see veteran Western star Tom Tyler, a future member of the ever-changing trio of heroes here playing one of villain George Douglas' henchmen. Republic Pictures was apparently enamored of masked vigilantes in 1939, the studio also releasing the 12-episode serial Zorro's Fighting Legion. In fact, a few of the riding sequences appear in both films. The Night Riders was remade by Republic as Arizona Terrors in 1942, again under the direction of the competent George Sherman.

All Movie Guide - Hans J. Wollstein