"Harmony Trail" stars the beloved Ken Maynard in his last starring cowboy-hero role. After twenty or so years the earnest, sensitive, and amiable cowboy hero, recognized by many as the most spectacular horse rider of them all, took on the bad guys one final time.
Happily, the film reveals a well-told, although indeed familiar story with a comfortable cast of favorite supporting players and presents plenty of gunplay, fistfights, and horse action. For some there will be the added bonus of Eddie Dean's singing boogie woogie and western swing numbers. It just so happens that this movie is a good one!
Knowing that Ken would play no more hero leads makes for a kind of bittersweet viewing experience. But it is heartwarming to see Ken given a final showcase to twirl his rope and sharpshoot his gun for the amazement of his fans. And with Dean's warbling and Ruth Roman's dancing rhythms, this is a fun and positive parting program for Ken. Why heck, even Tarzan gets to show off some of his skills one final time.
This is one more of those pictures where the action unfolds in an anachronistic old west setting, where automobiles and motor trucks and horse-drawn stagecoaches have equal opportunity to be chased by gun slinging, horseback-riding outlaws, but most of us fans find it just an additional dimension in enjoying some adventurous hours.
It is quite the sight to witness the final brawl of the film, a fight that spills out to the street between the ever-appreciated villain Charles King and our hero Ken. I couldn't help but think how these two men knocking each other around represented more than 500 pounds of beef on the hoof! One might even sense that the final words spoken by King to Maynard at the fight's conclusion were said in admiration.
Luckily, the final words uttered in the film are spoken by Ken himself, and turn out to be, in a way, quite appropriate to the occasion. And then, most fittingly of all, up wells the music, a poignant rendition of the song "Home on the Range," with Ken and his entourage striding off into the sunset.
Yes, "Harmony Trail" is an important film-viewing experience, one which all western film fans should not put off!
Happily, the film reveals a well-told, although indeed familiar story with a comfortable cast of favorite supporting players and presents plenty of gunplay, fistfights, and horse action. For some there will be the added bonus of Eddie Dean's singing boogie woogie and western swing numbers. It just so happens that this movie is a good one!
Knowing that Ken would play no more hero leads makes for a kind of bittersweet viewing experience. But it is heartwarming to see Ken given a final showcase to twirl his rope and sharpshoot his gun for the amazement of his fans. And with Dean's warbling and Ruth Roman's dancing rhythms, this is a fun and positive parting program for Ken. Why heck, even Tarzan gets to show off some of his skills one final time.
This is one more of those pictures where the action unfolds in an anachronistic old west setting, where automobiles and motor trucks and horse-drawn stagecoaches have equal opportunity to be chased by gun slinging, horseback-riding outlaws, but most of us fans find it just an additional dimension in enjoying some adventurous hours.
It is quite the sight to witness the final brawl of the film, a fight that spills out to the street between the ever-appreciated villain Charles King and our hero Ken. I couldn't help but think how these two men knocking each other around represented more than 500 pounds of beef on the hoof! One might even sense that the final words spoken by King to Maynard at the fight's conclusion were said in admiration.
Luckily, the final words uttered in the film are spoken by Ken himself, and turn out to be, in a way, quite appropriate to the occasion. And then, most fittingly of all, up wells the music, a poignant rendition of the song "Home on the Range," with Ken and his entourage striding off into the sunset.
Yes, "Harmony Trail" is an important film-viewing experience, one which all western film fans should not put off!