"Lawless Land" is a fully satisfying, although simple, B-western from Johnny Mack Brown's flurry of westerns made from 1936 and 1937. His appearance nearly always guarantees a pleasant experience no matter what else goes on, but in this case the film has a really nice aura in and of itself. The sets are always important to me, and this film has some good ones, including an expansive hacienda; an oft-visited combination post office/general store; and a remote cabin nestled in the wood. And, of course, there a few outdoor locales but these are routine. Hair-raising action is not bountiful in this film, but when it does occur it is brief and effective. I really enjoyed the opening and closing music and the musical entertainment within the film, which is melodious and pleasingly gorgeous.
As for the acting in this one, JMB's lines are delivered in an oddly stilted way, as it often is, but his work is so earnest and affable that one happily goes along for the ride. No other cowboy star showed as much confidence and swagger as JMB, with the exception of John Wayne and possibly Buck Jones, but JMB's swagger is somehow always appealing. The familiar Ted Adams gets an unusually substantial role as the mustachioed villain in this one, and does a nice job. By contrast, although leading lady Louise Stanley is a pretty woman, she doesn't really bring much oomph to the proceedings. All in all, the cast is good enough to get the job done, but it really is the unfolding story the makes this simple B-western show worth one's while.