"Heritage of the Desert" (also known as "When the West Was Young") stands out because it was the first film directed by Henry Hathaway. He was a man well-known for making some dandy westerns ("The Sons of Katie Elder", "True Grit"). However, he also made some terrific films in other genres ("Kiss of Death", "13 Rue Madeleine"). I didn't know he had directed the film when I bought it--I was just interested because it was a Randolph Scott film--and just about any Scott film is well worth seeing.
Adam Nabb (J. Farrell MacDonald) owns land over which Judd Holderness wants to bring his cattle. However, Nabb suspects that Holderness' cattle are stolen and won't allow him through the pass. So, Holderness decides to use Nabb's no-good son, Snap, as a way to get what he wants. Snap sets up his own father's cattle to pay off his gambling debts to Holderness. Snap has a fiancé, Judy (Sally Blaine) but when a surveyor, Jack, comes to town (Randolph Scott), she is torn between the two men. As for Scott, it can pretty much assumed he's virtuous--after all, he IS Randolph Scott! Eventually, Snap has had enough and he finally stands up to Holderness. Not at all surprisingly, Snap is then killed. Sure, this does allow the Jack to marry Judy, but part of the hero code requires he also sold the crime and dispense justice...or die trying.
For the most part, this is a very ordinary western--the sort of B-movie that was very, very common throughout the 1930s and 40s. It's made reasonably well and has a few more recognizable stars than usual (including Guinn Williams--a frequent sidekick or thug). And, it was a great training ground for Scott and Hathaway. Worth seeing if you love B-westerns.
Adam Nabb (J. Farrell MacDonald) owns land over which Judd Holderness wants to bring his cattle. However, Nabb suspects that Holderness' cattle are stolen and won't allow him through the pass. So, Holderness decides to use Nabb's no-good son, Snap, as a way to get what he wants. Snap sets up his own father's cattle to pay off his gambling debts to Holderness. Snap has a fiancé, Judy (Sally Blaine) but when a surveyor, Jack, comes to town (Randolph Scott), she is torn between the two men. As for Scott, it can pretty much assumed he's virtuous--after all, he IS Randolph Scott! Eventually, Snap has had enough and he finally stands up to Holderness. Not at all surprisingly, Snap is then killed. Sure, this does allow the Jack to marry Judy, but part of the hero code requires he also sold the crime and dispense justice...or die trying.
For the most part, this is a very ordinary western--the sort of B-movie that was very, very common throughout the 1930s and 40s. It's made reasonably well and has a few more recognizable stars than usual (including Guinn Williams--a frequent sidekick or thug). And, it was a great training ground for Scott and Hathaway. Worth seeing if you love B-westerns.