Born to the West

Hell Town

1937 · United States · 59 min

Director: Charles Barton
Producer: William LeBaron
Music: George Antheil
Cinematography: Devereux Jennings
Editing: John F. Link Sr.

Cast

What it is about

Dare Rudd and his partner Dinkey Hooley are riding to Idaho when they stumble into a fight between cattle rustlers and ranchers, and they cannot tell which side is which. Rudd plans to visit his cousin Tom Fillmore in Wyoming, a prosperous rancher and bank president who hopes Rudd will settle down. In town, the card games and casino life test the friends' loyalty and Rudd's confidence in his poker skills. The story mixes chases, gunfights and a light romance.

How it was made

Directed by Charles Barton and produced by William LeBaron, the film is based on a Zane Grey novel. It was shot in black and white, with cinematography by Devereux Jennings, a score by George Antheil and editing by John F. Link. As was common at the time, it reuses footage from an earlier, bigger-budget silent version. John Wayne leads the cast alongside Marsha Hunt and John Mack Brown.

Reception and legacy

The available sources offer little detail on its critical or commercial reception in 1937. Its best-known later event is the 1950 re-release by Favorite Films under the title Hell Town. It is generally remembered as one of John Wayne's early B-Western pictures, although its place in the genre's history is modest.