Riders of Death Valley
The Saturday matinee crowd got two cowboy stars for the price of one in this lavishly budgeted western serial starring former singing cowboy Dick Foran and Buck Jones. The latter contributed deadpan humor to the proceedings, making Jones perhaps the highest paid B-western comedy relief in history. The two heroes defend the Death Valley borax miners from an outlaw gang headed by Wolf Reade. An extraordinarily strong cast -- for a serial, at least -- supported the stars, headed by Charles Bickford as Reade, Leo Carillo, Lon Chaney, Jr., and silent screen star Monte Blue. Leading lady Jeanne Kelly later changed her name to Jean Brooks and starred in the atmospheric RKO thriller The Seventh Victim (1943). Universal claimed to have spent $1 million on this serial and made sure to get their money's worth by endlessly recycling the action footage in serials and B-westerns for years to come.
Insights
Plot Summary
In the desolate and dangerous Death Valley, a group of prospectors, including the resourceful "Dusty" Smith, are searching for a legendary gold mine. They face numerous perils, including treacherous terrain, rival gangs, and outlaws who seek to claim the riches for themselves. The serial follows their thrilling adventures and narrow escapes as they race against time and their enemies to find the hidden treasure.
Critical Reception
As a classic Republic Pictures serial, 'Riders of Death Valley' was produced for Saturday matinee audiences and is generally regarded as a standard, action-packed Western serial of its era. While not critically acclaimed by modern standards, it delivered the expected thrills and cliffhangers that enthralled younger viewers and fans of the genre.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its fast-paced action and serial format, delivering consistent thrills.
- Appreciated for its classic Western setting and straightforward good-versus-evil narrative.
- Noted for its impressive stunt work and cliffhanger endings, typical of the serial genre.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this classic serial is not readily available.
Fun Fact
This serial was originally released in 15 chapters, designed to keep audiences coming back week after week for the next installment.
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