Trouble Busters (1933) Online

For a "B" level western, this film was not too bad. The story was interesting, lots of action and also some rather funny lines which kept the value of the show going. Yes, the acting was poor and the leading man, Jack Hoxie, looked more in line for a Frankenstein picture that a hero of a western--by the end of the film it all seemed to come together for an enjoyable class B western show.

The concept of the story was that Hoxie character, Jack Blaine, had fallen for a beautiful woman. She lived in a nearby town and was having problems with another landowner that was claiming property that had been in her family for years. They had discovered oil on the property and now the two family are feuding about the land. Anyway, Jack along with his sidekicks, Skinny and Windy, are going to help the female in anyway possible. But they will have to get past her ornery Uncle, as he dislikes Blaine and nearly everyone in his path.

Classic B western as we have- a hero,- a lovely female,- comic relief chums and a villain that leads to a situation of conflict. Sure it was not the best western made but it was far from the worse. For the funny lines said mainly by Skinny, and the fact it was a class "B" made western, it was enjoyable enough to make for good time.

Jack Hoxie was one of the great cowboy stars of the silent screen, and deservedly so. This, his final starring role for Poverty Row Western Star Productions, shows very clearly why he could not make the transition: he can't speak a line of dialogue without it sounding like it's being read. Nor is the dialogue all that good.

The parts of this movie that do not depend on sound are pretty good: the composition is fine; the camera-work by William Noble is excellent; and Hoxie looks great in the shots done MOS, particularly when he is atop Dynamite the Wonder Horse. But conservative a genre as the western was, people still had to be able to speak believably, and the well-spoken lines are few and far between in this one.

Jack Hoxie (Tex Blane), Lane Chandler (Jim Perkins), Kaye Edwards (Mary Ann Perkins), William P. Burt (Dan Allen), Ben Corbett (Windy), Harry Todd (Skinny), Charles Slim Whitaker (Jarvis), Roger Williams (Placerville sheriff), Bob Fleming (Custer City sheriff), Irving Bacon (deputy), Bart Carre (the land agent), Chuck Baldra, Jack Kirk (cowboys), Olin Francis (bartender), Bud McClure (Joe), Henry Toquemore (doctor), Bob Roper (henchman guard), and "Dynamite".

Director: LEWIS D. COLLINS. Screenplay: Oliver Drake. Photography: William Nobles. Film editor: S. Roy Luby. Assistant director: Bart Carre. Sound recording: Earl Crain. Producer: Henry L. Goldstone.

Not copyright by Western Star Productions. Released by Majestic Pictures: 15 May 1933. No recorded New York opening. 55 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: A cantankerous Custer City storekeeper decides to visit his niece at in a neighboring town for a rest. Unfortunately for his piece of mind, a local cowboy has his eyes on the niece and follows him to Placerville.

COMMENT: Jack Hoxie, now there's a name to conjure with! I'd never seen him before, so it was hard to realize at first that this lumbering, thick-set cowboy with the oddly babyish face was actually the star of the film.

However, Hoxie's a personable lad and he's well supported in this effort by a first-rate support cast including William Burt as the irascible storekeeper, Kaye Edwards as the pretty niece, plus Ben Corbett and Harry Todd as the "Trouble Busters".

The movie is largely a comic piece, cleverly written, well-staged and crisply paced (although the fight scenes are on the weak side), nicely photographed and presented, with at least one really spectacular action stunt and at least three or four attractive story ideas.

Though there is plenty of action, enough to keep a Western addict (including me) happy, this is really a comedy.

Jack Hoxie had trouble with delivering dialogue in previous films -- see, for example, my review of "Law and Lawless" -- but, however he did it, whether extra care by director Lew Collins or private coaching, he handled his part here like a pro.

He was a little "aw, shucks" when that was needed, and he was "you better smile when you call me that" if that was called for.

He was very ably supported by two character actors who just shone, and who just out-did themselves in their roles here: Harry Todd and Ben Corbett.

Even in their roles as drunks, they were right on target, not overdone and fully believable.

Playing the bad guy was the inimitable Slim Whitaker, here billed as Charles Whittaker. Under whatever name, and billed or not, he was a wonderful actor and made dozens of B Westerns even better by his presence.

Female lead is a very lovely actress named Kaye Edwards, who has no other credit listed here at IMDb. What a shame. She was quite good in this part and no doubt should have had a successful career.

William Burt is a scene-stealer as the irascible store-owner, and a superlative actor to carry off such a part.

Still, with all the talent in this excellent cast, the real star is the script by the legendary Oliver Drake. I can't think of a better one by him -- or by anyone else. He skillfully combines all the elements, including a hilarious automobile, into one of the most entertaining B Westerns I have seen -- maybe ever.

"Trouble Busters" is available in a good print at YouTube, compliments of those doubly wonderful folks, www.westernsontheweb.com, one of the greatest sites on the Internet.

Seriously, "Trouble Busters" is a real find, and I urge you, if you like B Westerns, please see this one.