Code of the Saddle (1947) User Reviews

Johnny Mack Brown rides the vengeance trail !

[revdrcac · 5/10 · 29 March 2007]

Johnny Mack Brown, the former gridiron star, headlines this standard Post WWII oater filmed at Gene Autry's Melody Ranch. Brown and grizzled saddle-pal Ray Hatton find themselves in the middle of a blazing Range War...... with no resolution in sight !

The acting here is pretty standard, but Brown is as personable and heroic as ever. Hatton makes a fine sidekick, meshing well with the aging Johnny Mack Brown. The film is unique in presenting a strong, admirable female lead.

While this is not classic cinema, The banter between the lead characters is quite fun and not a bad way to spend a lazy afternoon .......

Bess, You is my Woman!

[bsmith5552 · 5/10 · 4 March 2017]

"Code of the Saddle" (whatever that is) is an ultra low budget Johnny Mack Brown/Raymond Hatton entry in their long running series. This time around they are riding as partners.

The story has Johnny Macklin O(Brown) and Winks (Hatton), having been sent by their boss to investigate a range war, arriving at the Slack ranch where they are confronted by Bill Stace (Riley Hill). Bill invites the pair to the ranch where Bill's father Buck (Ted Adams) explains the situation. It seems that the Bentham ranch is scheming to take over the smaller ranches in the area. That night unknown assailants attack the Stace ranch and Buck is killed.

Subsequent investigation by Johnny and Winks uncovers a plot by local sheriff Wallace (Wm. Norton Bailey) to take over the Bentham ranch for himself and force the smaller ranchers out. Bentham's daughter Bess (Kay Morley) explains to Johnny what is up. Meanwhile Bess' father and ranch hands are attacked and killed by Wallace men. Johnny, Winks and Bill are arrested for murder but....................................

There's a lot of references to cattle in this opus however not a single steer is seen. Although Brown and Hatton are comfortable in their roles, the film is weakened by the weak supporting cast. With the exception of the lovely Morley, the rest of the cast can't act worth a damn.

Bailey as the sheriff is to old for his part and its probably no mistake that I never heard of him. I expected better from veteran Zon Murray as Rubio, the chief deputy. Gary Garrett as Randall another deputy, is OK. Old timer Bud Osborne as Bentham's foreman Stubby is wasted in a brief appearance. Riley Hill also has been better but at least he gets the girl (Bess you is my woman!).

Sharp eyed viewers will notice the gaff where Johnny locks up the bad guys in the same cell where he had just blown the lock with gun powder while escaping in a previous scene.

They Ran Out Of Time?

[monticellomeadow · 6/10 · 21 January 2012]

This is an enjoyable, predictable western. But, as always, the fact that they filmed it outdoors, on an actual "ranch" (Melody Ranch) adds to its enjoyment. "Thundering hooves" are what drew me to westerns as a boy - and still does. There are plenty of horses running hard in this one.

Monogram was cranking out these westerns by the handful and it seems as if the film reached its time limit. It ends very abruptly. Bam! While we could all surmise that the two "orphan" ranch kids, their fathers having been killed by the villains, would get together at the end, the Bill Stacey and Bess Bentham characters are nowhere to be found at the quick conclusion. Johnny Mack Brown corrals the evil sheriff, wounded, and says, "You'll live to be hanged." The End!

A couple of observations: The quality of the DVD (Netflix) was awful. Bad sound, mediocre picture. It's good that there is a saving of these legacy westerns from the '30s and '40s. Too bad there isn't money to preserve them properly.

Ray Hatton was 59 when this movie was made. A great character actor, he looks like he's 79!