Hidden Valley

This early Monogram entry has Bob Harding, played by the personable Bob Steele, off to find the titular - and long lost - Hidden Valley which is believed to be rich in valuable turquoise. In true B western tradition, he feels that he must make his fortune before asking for the hand of the fair Joyce (Gertrude Messinger).

Unfortunately, on the way, his travelling companion, an eminent archaeologist, is murdered and Bob is falsely accused, tried and sentenced to hang. Of course, we all know that Bob is innocent of the dastardly deed and that the real villains of the piece are Frank Gavin (Francis McDonald) and his swarthy, scowling henchmen.

When our hero goes on the run, there is much chasing around on horseback by the sheriff and his posse, the bad guys and, last but not least,Joyce's weak and easily led brother Jimmie (played with hugely melodramatic relish by Ray Hallor) who has the map showing the location of Hidden Valley.

This is, in some ways, an above average B western. Directed competently, as always, by Robert N. Bradbury (Bob's father), there are some unusually good location shots and genuinely original ideas, not the least of which is the use of a Goodyear blimp as a means of tracking down the wanted man. On the debit side, however, even allowing for the vagaries and implausibilities of the genre, I would have hoped for just a few of the loose ends to have been tied up at the finish. Not a classic, therefore, but a passable way to spend an hour.

Incidentally, look out for George Hayes, in his pre-Gabby days, as one of Gavin's unshaven heavies. Yer durned tootin'!

This movie's outstanding production values are partly explained by the fact that it was filmed back to back with "Riders of the Desert". Fortunately this largess of striking location backgrounds helps to disguise some otherwise rather obvious holes in the plot of Wellyn Totman's excitingly punchy, well-characterized script.

Also contributing to this admirable deception are some solid slices of action including at least two really spectacular stunts, plus the climactic entrance of the Goodyear blimp, an even more fascinating object in 2008 than it was back in 1932. And still more thrilling, the blimp doesn't just hover around on the outskirts of the main play like a reluctant guest, but actually plays a vital part in this whole super-suspenseful escapade.

As well as Bradbury's stylishly energetic direction, some great acting in all roles, large and small, also helps to send viewers away happy. As might be expected, Bob Steele makes the most of a made-to-measure role, while Gertrude Messinger shines as the attractive heroine. Francis McDonald, as usual, is hard to beat as a serpentine heavy. Here he is ably assisted by George "Gabby" Hayes, Dick Dickinson and Joe De La Cruz. Also making a major contribution to the movie's success is Ray Hallor in his second last film (he died in 1944), as our heroine's brother, a most convincing milk-and-water turncoat.

A parachute, car and the Goodyear blimp are not exactly what you'd expect to see in a 1932 Monogram western but Robert Bradbury makes it all work very well. It all starts when Bob Steele's archaeologist partner is killed hunting treasure in Hidden Valley. Steele's convicted but crashes out of the court window in dramatic fashion. Arthur Millett, William McCall, henchmen Francis McDonald and Gabby Hayes are in hot pursuit. Beautiful Gertrude Messinger, the wonderful heroine and brother Ray Hallor are caught in the crossfire and put in the middle of a wild manhunt. Joe De La Cruz, V.L. Barnes, Artie Ortego, and of course Earl Dwire were vital to the success of this film.