Blue Steel (1934 film)
Encyclopedia
Blue Steel is a 1934 Western film in which John Wayne
plays a U.S. Marshal who is trying to capture the Polka Dot Bandit, who has taken off with $4,000.
The film is also sometimes referred to as An Innocent Man in the USA.
It turns out that the local rich man, with the very meaningful name of Malgrove (Edward Peil Sr.), is behind the robberies. He knows there's a vein of gold underneath the homesteaders' property, and he offers out of the kindness of his heart to purchase their land for a pittance. B-movie bad guys have a tendency to crow about their evil plans without checking to see if anyone is hiding nearby, and when the grieving Betty overhears his plans, Malgrove and his henchmen kidnap her. Carruthers and Jake offer to make one last attempt to bring supplies in, and Malgrove et al. make plans to murder them.
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
plays a U.S. Marshal who is trying to capture the Polka Dot Bandit, who has taken off with $4,000.
The film is also sometimes referred to as An Innocent Man in the USA.
Plot
Wayne plays John Carruthers, an undercover US Marshal, but we don't know that until well into the film. He appears to be in town investigating a string of robberies committed by the Polka Dot Bandit (Yakima Canutt), but when he's a little late in discovering one of the Bandit's latest thefts, Sheriff Jake (George "Gabby" Hayes) thinks he's the thief. For some reason, instead of arresting him, Jake accompanies him on his journey; after all, as Wayne says, "It's kind of lonesome trailing alone." The two stumble upon a gang robbing a pack-mule train; they rescue the beautiful Betty Mason (Eleanor Hunt), whose father has just been killed by the bandits. She and her father were bringing desperately needed provisions to town, but the bandits have successfully cut off any supplies, forcing the townspeople to consider fleeing their homes or starving to death.It turns out that the local rich man, with the very meaningful name of Malgrove (Edward Peil Sr.), is behind the robberies. He knows there's a vein of gold underneath the homesteaders' property, and he offers out of the kindness of his heart to purchase their land for a pittance. B-movie bad guys have a tendency to crow about their evil plans without checking to see if anyone is hiding nearby, and when the grieving Betty overhears his plans, Malgrove and his henchmen kidnap her. Carruthers and Jake offer to make one last attempt to bring supplies in, and Malgrove et al. make plans to murder them.
Cast
- John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
- John Carruthers - Eleanor Hunt - Betty Mason
- George 'Gabby' HayesGeorge 'Gabby' HayesGeorge Francis "Gabby" Hayes was an American radio, film, and television actor. He was best known for his numerous appearances in Western movies as the colorful sidekick to the leading man.-Early years:...
- Sheriff Jake Withers - Edward Peil Sr.Edward Peil Sr.Edward Peil Sr. was an American film actor. He appeared in over 370 films between 1913 and 1951. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:...
- Malgrove (as Edward Peil) - Yakima CanuttYakima CanuttYakima Canutt , also known as Yak Canutt, was an American rodeo rider, actor, stuntman and action director.-Biography:...
- Danti, the Polka Dot Bandit - Lafe McKee - Dan Mason
- George ClevelandGeorge ClevelandGeorge Alan Cleveland was a Canadian film actor. He appeared in over 180 films between 1933 and 1954.-Career:...
- Hank, innkeeper - Earl DwireEarl DwireEarl Dwire was an American character actor who appeared in more than 150 movies between 1921 and his death in 1940...
- Henchman