The Texas Rangers *** (1936, Fred MacMurray, Jack Oakie, Jean Parker, Lloyd Nolan) – Classic Movie Review 9221

Producer-director King Vidor’s 1936 Western film The Texas Rangers is a spruce outing for the familiar old yarn about the two former outlaw cowpoke buddies (Fred MacMurray, Jack Oakie) who sign up to take to the law as Texas Rangers and have to hunt down a third old buddy (Lloyd Nolan) who goes to the bad as a notorious outlaw.

It’s the playing, Vidor’s direction and Edward Cronjager’s black and white photography that lift The Texas Rangers, for the story and screen-writing are not so hot.

MacMurray is strong in a role originally intended for Gary Cooper and Parker makes pleasant love interest for him.

Also in the cast are Edward Ellis, Bennie Bartlett, Frank Shannon, Frank Cordell, Richard Carle, Jed Prouty, Fred Kohler Sr and George ‘Gabby’ Hayes.

The screenplay is by Louis Stevens, based on the story by King Vidor and Elizabeth Hill, based on book by Walter Prescott Webb.

The Texas Rangers is directed by King Vidor, runs 95 minutes, is made and released by Paramount, is written by Louis Stevens, is shot in black and white by Edward Cronjager, is produced by King Vidor and is scored by Boris Morros.

Sequel in 1940: The Texas Rangers Ride Again.

Remade in 1949 as Streets of Laredo.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9221

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