bsmith5552
"Lawless Valley" was one of a series of well made RKO "B' westerns starring George O'Brien.In this one, Larry Rhodes (O'Brien) is paroled from prison after serving 18 months of a five year sentence for a stagecoach robbery, which of course, he didn't commit. While riding a freight car home, he is befriended by fellow traveler Bob North (Walter Miller). The two go to Rhodes friend Tim Wade's (George MacQuarrie) ranch.Larry sets out to prove his innocence. Big time rancher Tom Marsh (Fred Kohler Sr.) learns of Larry's release. Marsh is the big cheese in the area controlling law and order through his puppet sheriff Hampton (Earle Hodgins) and his simple minded deputy Speedy (Chill Wills). Larry's sweetheart, Norma Rogers (Kay Sutton), for whom Marsh is responsible, has been promised to Marsh's son Jeff (Fred Kohler Jr.) in marriage. Ranch cook Fresno (Lew Kelly) assists Norma in slipping away to see Larry. They meet at Wade's ranch but are confronted by the Marshes. A fight breaks out but Wade arrives in time to drive them off.Wade gives Larry his father's old pistol, a "41" which is a one of a kind piece in the area. Larry's father was said to have committed suicide but Larry is suspicious when the gun appears to have had a defect. Marsh meanwhile has scheduled the wedding of his son to Norma for the next day. After getting the sheriff to talk, Larry and Bob (who has a secret of his own), rush to stop the wedding and.......................................George O'Brien like his contemporaries William Boyd and Johnny Mack Brown, had been a major star in the 20s. "The Iron Horse" (1924) and "Sunrise" (1927) were two of his best known silents. His career gradually declined into "B" westerns and this series proved to be his last starring role.Walter Miller usually played villains but gets to play a good guy for a change. Earle Hodgins appeared in several Hopalong Cassidy westerns in the 40s usually playing a whiskey drummer or snake oil salesman.It was unusual for a real life father and son to play father and son in the movies The Kohlers did just that. Fred Sr. had been in the movies since the early teens and menaced many a hero over the course of his career. In real life, he was anything but the meanies he portrayed on the screen. He died in 1938 and this film was his next to last.Chill Wills had been in films only a couple of years as leader of the singing group, "The Avalon Boys". This was his first part on his own. He would play O'Brien's sidekick in three films in this series. And watch for George Chesebro and Kirby Grant as two ranch hands.Others have pointed this out but look at O'Brien and the prison warden s suits and the outfit worn by Sutton...they are all contemporary i.e. 1938. Also the train carrying O'Brien and Miller is of 1938 vintage as well. Also, the singing group on the train, "The Four Tunes" are actually five in number.
bkoganbing
Lawless Valley is just where George O'Brien is headed for after being released on parole. O'Brien was set up for a robbery that he didn't commit in conjunction with his father. The father committed suicide rather than be taken or so the official story has it.O'Brien hasn't bought it at all and he's out to clear his and his father's name. The key to this whole business is the fact the father owned and carried a rare .41 caliber pistol. When O'Brien finds the weapon he gets the evidence to clear him.Lawless Valley is also a chance to see father and son film villains Fred Kohlers senior and junior playing a father and son pair of villains.Speaking of weapons, being on parole O'Brien also can't carry a six shooter of his own while on parole. Never mind, he manages well without until the final showdown.Lawless Valley is a good B western with lots of action enough to please any aged Saturday matinée kid.
