Texas Rangers, The (1936)

The Texas Rangers (1936), produced and directed by King Vidor.

When the Rangers make it too hot for a pair of stagecoach stickup artists, they join up. It takes them a while to get used to being on the right side of the law. The influence of a good woman and a cute kid are decisive, but it's hard when they have bring in an old partner who is still a desperado.

The Rangers mow down many Indians here, who do get in a few shots of their own. I always love it when the subtitles for Indians read: "[Speaking foreign language]". There are several references to Texas statehood, but this is set 20-30 years later.

This is early enough that cowboys are expected to sing, but late enough that they don't have to sing well. Jack Oakie provides ample comic relief. I don't know about Fred MacMurray as the cowboy lead; I tend to remember his better roles: Double Indemnity (1944) and The Caine Mutiny (1954).

Edith Head costumes. On the same DVD with Canyon Passage (1946).