Reviewer:
bobsluckycat
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
March 13, 2014
Subject:
An Early Sound Western Classic (I Said So!)
Back in 1985 when I first got a Betamax recorder, I taped "Mason Of The Mounties" off of the old Satellite Program Network. It was a chopped up TV print to be sure, but there was something about Bill Cody that I liked. I had no clue about him then, but since then I've managed to collect almost all of his films on re-mastered commercial DVDs and I like them all.
In this one, Cody is a Mountie after his man in the States and he gets him, of course, but not before he heads up a vigilante committee to round up horse rustlers and then throwing away the book,
he takes the prisoner back to Canada without due process for heavens sake.
This rousing little western has a good cast of regulars and stunt men as well. Andy Shufford, the juvenile lead is fine as is Leroy Mason. The film has good picture and sound. Actually the Western Electric Wide Range Sound System used might be too good. Too much talking going on in the background and walking on the boardwalks by the extras is distracting at times when important dialogue is being delivered. A minor quibble.
I'm sure this little film earned its negative cost back in Canada and everything else was pure profit. I've probably seen the film over 20 times and I still like it. Highly recommended for western buffs who haven't seen it yet and those who have too.