The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1937)
Christy Cabanne
Preston Foster, Jean Muir, Van Heflin, Virginia Weidler, Margaret Irving, Frank M. Thomas, Si Jenks, Dick Elliott, Al St. John, Bradley Page, Richard Lane, Monte Blue
Striking Gold
Saloon owner John Oakhurst (Preston Foster) finds himself becoming guardian to a baby girl he names Luck (Virginia Weidler) after his mother died in child birth. And it seems the young child is lucky as John prospers in the mining town although John hopes the arrival of schoolmarm Helen Colby (Jean Muir) and the Rev. Sam Woods (Van Heflin) will help set a good example to Luck before she ends up involved with the outlaws which frequent his place with the permission of his business partner The Duchess (Margaret Irving). When outlaw Sonoma (Bradley Page) tries to goad John in to a showdown it ends up with Sonoma and another man dead. But the trouble sees John and the Duchess booted out of town with Helen going with them only for them to end up stuck in a mountain cabin in the freezing cold, horseless after they are stolen.
To be honest I rarely come across one of these old one hour westerns which are more than just barely average as so many recycle the same story ideas. But "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" is the exception to the rule as this 67 minute western from 1937 has one of the better storylines you will come across and it is little wonder that the Bret Harte short story on which it is based has been used a few times on the big screen.
The strength of "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" lies in the story which takes us from John being a gambler and profiteer of others gambling to being made an outcast as due to the chancing face of the town he lives in leads to some not wanting him, his establishment or the outlaws who frequent it in town. As such whilst we get this view of a changing community we also get a glimpse at John who whilst wanting to be a better person for Luck won't be bullied by the community. It makes a pleasant change to encounter one of these movies where the storyline genuinely evolves whilst we have characters with real depth.
What this all boils down to is that "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" is a pleasant surprise as whilst this isn't a great movie it is certainly a lot better than what you usually get in one of these old one hour westerns from the 1930s.
The Range Feud (1931)
Clint Turner (John Wayne - The Shootist) finds himself caught in the middle of a war between his rancher father and neighbouring rancher John Walton (Edward LeSaint) who accuse each other of stealing land and cattle from each other ...
Sagebrush Trail (1933)
Having escaped from prison after being charged with a murder he didn't committed John Brant (John Wayne - The Shootist) is forced to become a fugitive and finds himself becoming part of a gang of Outlaws when Joseph Conlon 'Jones' ( ...
The Lucky Texan (1934)
Having returned from college Jerry Mason (John Wayne - Sagebrush Trail) hooks up with his dearly departed father's old friend Jake 'Grandy' Benson (George 'Gabby' Hayes) to go into business and whilst the ranch is no longer operatio ...
The Lawless Frontier (1934)
Mexican bandit Zanti (Earl Dwire) is wanted for cattle rustling and murder and he is also wanted by John Tobin (John Wayne) who on returning to the parent's ranch sees that Zanti has been there. Tobin ends up joining forces with fel ...
The Dawn Rider (1935)
Having recently returned to town to see his dad, John Mason (John Wayne - Blue Steel) quickly makes friends with Ben (Reed Howes) who works for John's dad. And it is Ben who helps saves John's life when John is shot having given cha ...
TOP TEN MAUREEN O'HARA MOVIES
1) The Quiet Man (1952)
2) Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
3) Rio Grande (1950)
4) The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
5) The Black Swan (1942)
6) McLintock! (1963)
7) The Parent Trap (1961)
8) Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962)
9) Sons of the Musketeers (1952)
10) The Christmas Box (1995)
Saving Mr. Banks (2013)