Produced by the budget-conscious western-making arm of Columbia Pictures in 1935, "Riding Wild" is technically quite polished, smoothly unfolded, and skillfully acted. There is really nothing bad to say about it. The running-wild title isn't accurate, however, in that both sides in the depicted range war actually ride with purpose and with design, so as not to dilute their respective causes through careless riding.
Clearly the effort was made to present the development and escalation of the dispute, including revealing the motivations that drive each side. This show is indeed about good and evil being at loggerheads!
The acting is first-rate, including, for example, Richard Alexander, who plays the hulking and not quite clear-thinking henchman -- the right hand action man to the ringleader. One can see in Alexander's expressions how he comes to realize and to only sometimes understand the predicaments he is in, the ideas he is hearing, and the motivations of his boss.
As nearly always, Tim McCoy is a smooth operator who conducts himself with assurance and with only the best interests at heart, even though the beneficiaries of his work do not always perceive his sterling intentions right away. His romance with Billie Seward is underplayed but nuanced when attended to.
"Riding Wild" is an excellent movie, and those who made it on all levels should have been proud. And a viewer can be proud to watch it, too!
Clearly the effort was made to present the development and escalation of the dispute, including revealing the motivations that drive each side. This show is indeed about good and evil being at loggerheads!
The acting is first-rate, including, for example, Richard Alexander, who plays the hulking and not quite clear-thinking henchman -- the right hand action man to the ringleader. One can see in Alexander's expressions how he comes to realize and to only sometimes understand the predicaments he is in, the ideas he is hearing, and the motivations of his boss.
As nearly always, Tim McCoy is a smooth operator who conducts himself with assurance and with only the best interests at heart, even though the beneficiaries of his work do not always perceive his sterling intentions right away. His romance with Billie Seward is underplayed but nuanced when attended to.
"Riding Wild" is an excellent movie, and those who made it on all levels should have been proud. And a viewer can be proud to watch it, too!
