Rainbow Valley is an early John Wayne movie. It was released in March of 1935. A large number of western films were produced during this time. The movie runs around fifty minutes and of course was filmed in black & white.

Production

Lone Star Productions was the production company. This company produced a few westerns during the mid 1930’s. They were a typical b movie factory. I think this story could have been developed better if it had come a long at a different time in the movie business.

Director

The movie was directed by Robert Bradbury. Mr. Bradbury directed over 100 films during his career. Most of his work was done in the 1920’s and 1930’s. His career also included writing, producing and even a couple of movie appearances.

Writer

The story was written by Lindsley Parsons. Mr. Parsons wrote and directed in the 1930’s through the 1960’s.

Cast

The star is John Wayne. He played the role of John Martin This film also includes George “Gabby” Hayes as George Hale. The female lead is played By Lucille Browne. LeRoy Mason played the part of Rogers. His role was a standard part for him. He frequently played the bad guy. His career ended tragically when he died of a heart attack on a movie set in the late 1940’s. Jay Wilsey also known as Buffalo Bill Jr plays the other major bad guy. His part is that of Butch Gault.

The Movie

John Martin is on his way to Rainbow Valley and saves George Hale from a gang of bandits. He then rides to town with George. They arrive in town and John sees one of the men from the gang. They get in a fight. The townspeople are so impressed with the stranger they make him the new marshall. His first job is to help the town dig out the only road that has been shut down. Every time they try to work on it, they are attacked by a gang.

The gang is working for Rogers. He is a prominent member of the community that wants to run out all the townspeople. His plan is then to take over the whole valley. The leader of the gang(Butch Gault) is in prison. Rogers has a plan. He switches a petition asking the governor to investigate the problems in the valley with one asking for clemency for Butch Gault. Butch is released and returns to town.

Butch is told about John Martin. John was a cellmate of his in prison. Butch meets with John and convinces him to join the gang. John tells him about a plan to seal the road forever with dynamite. The gang heads out to the road to seal the fate of Rainbow Valley. The townspeople feeling betrayed, decide to go after the gang.

It turns out that John Martin is an undercover government agent. He was undercover in prison and joined the gang on purpose. The plan he had with the dynamite was really to open the road. In the end he saves the town and gets the girl. If only life was that easy.

Overall not a bad B movie. Gabby Hayes spends most of the movie driving his car. He runs out of gas at the end and has it pulled by horses. It is easier to appreciate this movie if you can think about the time period it was made. Every aspect of movie making has changed dramatically since 1935. If you want to see an old western this is one worth watching.