Thunder Over the Plains

In post Civil War Texas, an Army captain is charged with bringing in an outlaw who has become a legend for taking on the Carpetbaggers. It begins and ends with hokey narration, but in between there is a fairly interesting story, helped by nice color cinematography. Scott is his usual solid self as the captain. McGraw plays the outlaw, but it is Barker (coming off his final Tarzan movie) as another Army captain that is the real villain here. Kirk does well as Scott's understanding wife. It's not up to the level of Scott's later Westerns with Budd Boetticher, but it's competently directed by de Toth. The final gunfight is too drawn out and somewhat anti-climactic.

(1953) Thunder Over The Plains WESTERN

When the north defeated the south during the civil war, unfair practices were being exercised when southern farmers were unfairly overtaxed as opposed to regular farmers living in the north, forcing some to give up land easily belonging to them by auction. Fictionalize story line based on fact that if there is any reason to watch this film, it would only be for the history lesson. The action is not a plenty, but well- known Western actor Randolph Scott's tall, valiant screen presence keeps the film from becoming boring. This is the fourth of six movies Randolph Scott collaborated with director Andre De Toth.

Randolph Scott often shines as typical westerner. Here he plays Captain Potter a perfect example for Christian charity. He even prefers humiliation and danger to reputation of his lovely wife. He is a hero and a saint.

Scott never looks unbelievable in his part.

Lex Barker, former Tarzan and later superman "Old Shatterhand", plays against his image as arrogant villain. And I think he does it very well.

The story is entertaining and there are a lot of other good actors like Henry Hull, Phyllis Kirk and Elisha Cook jr. in it.

This really is an enjoyable B-western directed by veteran Andre de Toth.

It is set in 1869 , after American Civil War : 1961-1865 , when Texas has not yet been admitted to the Union and several carpetbaggers upheaval againt the States . Federal captain Porter : Randolph Scott reluctantly has to carry out a mission assigned by his commandant in chief : Henry Hull against his own people . But things go wrong , the district tax Commissioner : Elisha Cook Jr is kidnapped and a rebel leader , Charles McGraw is captured being accused of killing . His was the moment he had to count his bullets because he couldn't on his friends ! Thunder in his heart ..lightning in his holsters! . Don't go out there Dave ¡ Please don't go out there ! In the heart and dust a prairie town waited . A storm was brewing . A storm named Dave Porter and when he hit , it would rain nothing but lead !

This is a tornado and adventure movie from Warner Bros , containing thrills , emotion , suspense , go riding and crossfire . A decent cavalry western with a twisted and complex intrigue written by Russell Hughes . As our captain Randolph Scott has to confront a nasty powerful owner : Hugh Sanders , while must avoid a new and envious officer : Lex Barker who attempts to take his wife Phyllis Kirk . As the trío of decent protagonists : Randolph Scott , Phyllis Kirk and Lex Barker give acceptable interpretations . They are well accompanied by a pretty support cast with plenty of familiar faces , such as : Henry Hull , Charles McGraw , Elisa Cook Jr , Lane Chandler , uncredited Trevor Bardette, James Brown of Rin Tin Tin TV series and Fess Parker of Daniel Boone TV series.

The motion picture was well directed by Andre De Toth , though it has some flaws and gaps . De Toth was a good artisan of long career , writing , producing and directing several movies . As he made all kinds of genres , outstanding in Western , such as : Ramrod , Carson City , The Indian Fighter , Day of Outlaw , Thunder over Plains . And he made other genres including films as The other love , Pitfall , None Shall escape , Crime Wave , Dark Waters , Monkey on my Back , Play Dirty . Being his biggest hit , the boxoffice terror House of Wax . Rating : 6/10 . Passable and acceptable Western that will appeal to Randolph Scott fans . Worthwhile seeing .

During reconstruction, Texas-born Army Captain Randolph Scott is torn between duty and his fellow Texans (including a young Fess Parker), who are in a life-or-death struggle against corrupt officials and ruthless carpetbaggers. Meanwhile, slimy officer Lex Barker gets a little too close to Scott's wife.

Thunder Over The Plains sags just a bit in the middle, but has great production values and is fairly ambitious for a 1950's B-western, with some pretty complex characters. The cinematography and direction by Andre De Toth are excellent.

Elisha Cooke Jr. is pretty good as a sniveling tax collector. Lex Barker's character is especially vile, kind of a surprise considering the times in which this was made and the fact that Barker is so handsome and all-American looking!