CitizenCaine Review of Ride Him, Cowboy

Ride Him, Cowboy (1932)

Wayne's Warner Brothers' Vitagraph Debut Forgettable

[4/10 · 8 October 2011]

Ride Him, Cowboy was John Wayne's debut film for Warner Brothers from 1932. Wayne stars as a drifter who happens upon a small town besieged by the "Hawk", a vandal terrorizing the townsfolk for a reason that's never fully revealed. A horse named Duke (of all names) joins up with Wayne in thwarting the "Hawk". The film is a remake of an even older Ken Maynard film, and the plot and characters are creaky. The film moves at a brisk pace, but Wayne never gets to show his stuff much and is upstaged by Duke the horse, as is everyone else in the film. Frank Hagney plays Henry Sims, in one of the few credited roles he played; most of his later roles in his long career were uncredited bit parts. Cornball comic moments are provided by the deputy played by Henry Gribbon and Judge "Necktie" Jones played by Otis Harlan. Film is not up to later Wayne standards, even for a programmer. *1/2 of 4 stars.