Empty Saddles

Louise Brooks has a legendary reputation as an actress during the silent era, with films such as "Pandora's Box" and "Miss Europe" to her credits. I think most is because she wrote a memoire about her career (short as it was) as well as a few folks championing these two films as classics. Regardless, many today are interested in her and might be surprised to know that in the 1930s, she made very few films...and what she did make were mostly B-westerns. But if you do watch "Empty Saddles" to see her, you may be disappointed as she's not particularly good here...mostly because her character isn't written all that well.

As for the story, Buck (Buck Jones) stumbles upon an abandoned old ranch. Apparently, there was some sort of murder there and folks are afraid of the place. But Buck sees promise and decides to make it into a Dude Ranch...much to the consternation of nearby sheepmen and cattlemen. As a result, they try their best to make his business go bust.

The film surprised me, not just because of Brooks' bland role but because of all the singing. Jones was never a singer in films but others are there to sing instead. If you like the singing, you'll be pleased. I would have preferred more Buck Jones and less singing.

So is it any good? Not really. I really think the film was flat and could have used some comic relief and/or a good sidekick. As it is, it's just okay...even for a Jones flick.