Light of Western Stars (1940)

A Disappointing Continuation

A Brilliant Conflict

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

Present-day fans will probably find it hard to believe that Alan Ladd was once a top Western star. In fact, a top movie star, period. In England, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, he always rated well ahead of John Wayne. In fact, Ladd's name on a cinema billboard guaranteed sell-out business. The only time that Wayne ever achieved this sort of overseas popularity was when he co-starred with Maureen O'Hara in The Quiet Man (1952). Ladd's following was highest of the high in the States too. In 1953, over two million readers of Photoplay magazine voted him as the world's number one male movie star. (Marilyn Monroe was the 1953 female choice). Ladd westerns that continued to draw huge British, Irish and Oz crowds long after their original release, included: The Light of Western Stars (1940) (available on Public Domain DVDs) in which Ladd's role was small and which director Lesley Selander had him play mostly with his back to the camera - an exciting film anyway, the third version of the Zane Grey novel, produced by "Pop" Sherman on a top budget, this one also starred Victor Jory and Jo Ann Sayers;

Superb actors with an excellent script are skillfully directed by Lesley Selander and beautifully photographed by that great veteran Russell Harlan.Don't let the inventiveness and beauty of the camera work and directing distract you from the skill and beauty of, for example, actress Jo Ann Sayers, of whom I know nothing else than that she was marvelous in this role. She expresses so much with her eyes and face and doesn't need words.Victor Jory is probably better known as a villain, but in "The Light of Western Stars" he is a great hero cowboy, giving one of his best performancess of my knowledge.Noah Beery, Jr., is somewhat of a disappointment in his role as a "Mexican" sidekick: His accent is less than impressive, though as usual Mr. Beery himself is very likable and, other than the accent, his acting is more than adequate.Russell Hayden, on the other hand, gives one of his very best performances. I have had trouble before with his enunciation; he often sounded as if he had badly fitting dentures.Here, he is clear and solid, and his facial expressions and body movement are those of a real pro.There are other great old veterans giving great performances in this involved story of the not-so-old West, a clever and inventive Zane Grey story, crafted into an excellent script by Norman Houston.I highly recommend "The Light of Western Stars," which you can see at YouTube.

In his career, Victor Jory generally played villains or supporting characters. Here, however, he stars in a western--and that is VERY unusual. Unfortunately for him and his career, the film just isn't very good and I doubt if it did a thing to help him as a star. But, at least you can watch it if you'd like to see Alan Ladd before he was 'discovered' or if you'd like to see Noah Beery Junior embarrass himself.When the film begins, Jory plays a nice-guy who seems to be equally concerned with protecting the town from a bully and his paid sheriff as he is about getting drunk. He is certainly no hero in this role--though eventually he reforms and finally does the right thing. In the process, he meets a stuck up rich lady and has a few not particularly interesting adventures.So why did I give this one a 3? Well, there are many reasons--and the biggest is that the film never really gets very interesting. There are also some poorly written plot elements (such as the stuck up lady who almost instantly changes and the film never allows any realistic development of her character). Additionally, Noah Beery Jr. plays a horrible role as a Mexican--and seems completely out of place. Finally, the big showdown fizzles and makes little sense. All in all, perhaps a 3 is being a bit generous.

Paramount's "The Light of Western Stars" is based on a Zane Grey novel, and with it's writing and characters, cuts a notch above the average "B" Western of the era. Victor Jory stars as Gene Stewart, and opens the story by betting Sheriff Tom Hawes (Tom Tyler) that he'll marry the first girl who arrives in town. Boston socialite Madeline Hammond (the striking Jo Ann Sayers) turns out to be the sister of Stewart's best friend Al, portrayed by Russell Hayden. Learning this, all bets are off!Tom Tyler cuts an imposing figure on screen as the sheriff, but is cast alongside the villainous Nat Hayworth (Morris Ankrum). Together, they form a gunrunning alliance across the border into Mexico. In an unlikely final showdown, Stewart's loyal friend Poco (Noah Beery Jr.) guns it out with the sheriff and his henchman Sneed (Earl Askam).There's a great cast of supporting players here, including Eddie Dean, Ruth Rogers, and although you don't get to see his face much, future star Alan Ladd. For Zane Grey fans, I also recommend the following films based on his novels - "Heritage of the Desert" with Randolph Scott in his first starring role, "Drift Fence" with Buster Crabbe, and "Fighting Caravans" featuring Gary Cooper.