In 1935 Walter Prescott Webb published The Texas Rangers, A Century Of Frontier Defense. The story spans the years from the formation of the Texas Rangers through the killings of Bonny and Clyde Barrow. While Webb was a stylist of note, the book is a historian's view rather than a populist one, which may put off many readers. Today the book is a cornerstone of Western history, still the best book on the subject, but outside the circles of Western enthusiasts and historians, few know of its existence. This is a shame. The book not only tells many fascinating stories of the Texas frontier, it chronicles the history of a famed organization.
Paramount bought the rights and set about composing a screenplay. The credits read, "Based upon data furnished by Walter Prescott Webb's book The Texas Rangers." The 'data' referred to in the credits must refer to the title alone for the screenplay ignores the book. The only incident that bears some semblance to an actual incident occurs when the Texas Rangers encounter a large band of Indians and must fight their way out. This scene was reportedly a re-enactment of the 1876 battle in which Vicorio, a nephew of Geronimo, led the Apaches against the Texas Rangers and Union Army soldiers. Still, the incident in the film bears little reality to the actual events.
 Fred MacMurry and Lloyd Nolan
make plans
in the 1936 The Texas Rangers
The screenplay, if not authentic, proved highly enjoyable. Three bandits, Henry B. "Wahoo" Jones, Jim Hawkins and Sam McGee, split up to evade the law. Wahoo and Jim join the Texas Rangers. While patrolling for cattle rustlers, they run into Sam, and the three men agree to use inside information to plan robberies. On their way back to the outpost, Jim and Wahoo save a young boy, David, from Indians, although they are too late to help his family. They bring David to the Rangers' camp, where Major Bailey's daughter Amanda takes charge. With Davy's encouragement, Amanda takes a liking to Jim, but he fears entanglement.
During a fight with a tribe of hostile Indians, Jim becomes a hero when he manages to kill several Indians and bring more Rangers to turn the tide of battle. Despite these heroic efforts, Jim still plans to rustle cattle with Sam, even after Wahoo vows to go straight. Before Jim leaves for his new assignment in Kimball County to arrest an outlaw, he admits to Amanda he loves her.
Jim brings law and order to Kimball County, and the gratitude of the citizens brings on a change of heart. He backs out his deal with Sam, who agrees to clear out of the area. Soon the "Polka-Dot" bandit is terrorizing much of Texas, and Jim realizes the bandit is Sam. When the major orders Jim to bring the bandit in dead or alive, Jim refuses and resigns from the Rangers. The major then arrests Jim for his connection to Sam.
|
 Lloyd Nolan kills Jack Oakie
in the 1936 The Texas Rangers
Wahoo sets out to capture Sam. Sam kills Wahoo, and Jim asks for release from jail. He rescues David, whom Sam has captured, and he kills Sam . In the end, Jim and Amanda and the rangers honor Wahoo and the other dead rangers.
Paramount obtained the full cooperation of the real-life Texas Rangers. The film employed over 500 actors, including members of two Indian tribes, Navajo and Zuni, for the 1876 battle scene. The role of Jim Hawkins was originally slated for Gary Cooper, but he was engaged in another film. Contemporary sources claimed that Fred MacMurray sings a love song in the film, but this is missing in surviving prints. The film was shot on location in Gallup and Santa Fe, New Mexico as well as parts of west Texas, and the scenery is often spectacular.
Certainly The Texas Rangers has its faults, endemic of the 30's. The Indians are little more than forces of nature, without character and without morals. At one point, in order to drive the rangers out of hiding, the Apaches drop boulders from high above. The major curses their heathen tactics that he claims no white man would ever use, but from today's perspective, the Indian maneuvers seem oddly modern. The film also ends on an overly sentimental note. As Major Bailey praises those rangers who gave their lives for the service, the scene shifts to heavenly horsemen riding across sand dunes. Yet, despite these obvious weaknesses, The Texas Rangers is a rousing good film, especially considering it was made during the 1930's when studios just weren't making big budget westerns. Between 1932's Law and Order and 1939's Stagecoach , it may be the best western from a major studio.
Print quality : Extremely sharp back and whites. Good contrasts.
Sound : Dolby 2.0 mono
Extras : Three other westerns in set including the superb Canyon Passage (1946).
Summery : Although dated in sme of its attitudes, The Texas Rangers remains a highly entertaining western.  Fred MacMurray and Jean Parker morn the loss of Wahoo in the 1936 The Texas Rangers
|
