The Oklahoma Cyclone

I like Bob Steele westerns. Although a very small man, Steele excelled at using his fists--and created some of the best and most realistic fight scenes in any of the B-westerns. He also had a nice personality that made his films, even the very cheaply made ones, likable. However, "The Oklahoma Cyclone" has managed to do something I didn't think was possible--it made me HATE one of Steele's films!

Why is this such a terrible old film? Because when it came out in 1930, it was obvious that the folks making it had little experience with sound films! Too often, instead of the characters DOING anything, they talk and talk and talk. They also stand woodenly stiff as they deliver their lines in a very unnatural manner. Worse is a pretty Mexican lady whose dialog needed captioning because you cannot understand her! The sum total effect is a film that is stupifyingly boring. In fact, NOTHING about this film is interesting other than it provides you a chance to see Al 'Fuzzy' St. John make his transition from a screen comedian to a cowboy sidekick--something for which he's most remembered today. Overall, a god-awful film with nothing to recommend it. However, don't assume all of Steele's films are like this--they could only get better!!