mark.waltz Review of Roaring Six Guns

Roaring Six Guns (1937)

Interesting characterizations are the highlight of a familiar B Western story.

[6/10 · 30 January 2023]

There's more development for supporting characters Sam Flint and Mary Hayes then the usual types in this Ken Maynard B Western that has villainous Flint out to grab the land previously leased by Maynard and using any crooked method, including murder, that he can use to fulfill his goal. Hayes is Flint's niece, shocked by what Maynard claims that her uncle has done. There are scenes when Flint speaks from the heart, and his rationality, while completely off base, adds a dimension to his character that while not white washing him does succeed in making him a bit more realistic and less cliched and dark. Certainly, the audience can't wait for him to get what's coming to him along with his followers, but it's a lot more interesting because of the shading rather than just good versus evil. Hayes is also very good, expressing dismay when she realizes the truth, but definitely torn over what should be done. There's some unnecessary comical nonsense that distracts, but overall, I found this much more interesting than the many other westerns with low budgets that had like plots. Definitely one of the more interesting twists, and a better screenplay than average helps, even if it is just another poverty row cheapie rushed out.