Winds of the Wasteland (1936) Review

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Just three years or so away from stardom in "Stagecoach", this 1936 movie shows all of the things that made fans love John Wayne.

The story follows John Blair (Wayne), and his pal Larry Adams as they leave the Pony Express when it folds. Given two thoroughbred horses each by the defunct mail service, The DUKE sets his mind to opening up a stage line.

When crooked stage line operator Drake sells them the Crecent City run, it looks like John and Larry have wasted their money. Crecent City went bust after the local gold mine played out, and Drake forced all the business to his city. Too bad Drake didn't know he was tangling with The DUKE!

Blair almost singlehandedly brings the town back to life one piece at a time. The one final step in his plan is a stage line mail contract, and it's the Drake line vs. Blair & Adams in a race to Sacremento. The winner gets the big contract, and Drake is out to stop DUKE by hook or by crook!

There's a pretty good plot in this one, and a surprising amount of humor along with the action. Although clocking in at only 55 minutes, there's a lot of young DUKE action!

A fun ride, "Winds of the Wasteland" on this DVD is a great bargain for the price, and no DUKE fan should miss it.

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Winds of the Wasteland, 1936 film

The film shows a mountain in the background. This film is dedicated to those who provided communication across the Great American Desert before telegraph wires. When the Pony Express ended the riders sought new work. A stagecoach line? [No mention of the Civil War.] They'll need a franchise for that (no competition). They visit Crescent City to find it deserted! (Try before you buy?) There is a huge Government subsidy to anyone running a stage line with a regular route. The fastest stage coach will win. Is somebody stifling the competition? Remarks lead to a fight. There is one passenger for Crescent City from Buchanan. Barbara meets her father, his money is tied up there. There is danger from the poison water in that area (minerals in the water). Can the telegraph wire come to Crescent City? They'll need fifty workers, $10 a day was a lot of money.

Cal Drake hired John Blair to transport a shipment of gold with armed guards. Blair knows a trick too. The doctor must operate to save Larry's life. Will Drake's men try to sabotage his rival? Can John get bail money in time to drive the stage coach? John stops at Crescent City to change horses. "Good Luck John." A dirty trick fails to stop John's stagecoach. Is there a skunk for comedy? The race is close. Another dirty trick fails when John brakes and Drake falls. Blair wins the race and the mail contract. Crescent City is growing again.

Note how an established big business tried to eliminate competition from a small business.

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This is a super awesome movie for all those "John Wayne" fans. Anyone who likes John Wayne and westerns will be sure to love this one. Filled with lots of excitement from the beginning...watch it and find out=)

Honest reviews on Winds of the Wasteland (1936)

Great early Wayne movie. Having been a fan for as long as I can remember, he did not make a bad movie. This is worth watching again to see him as he was just starting out with the director calling all the shots. Typical movie as in all westerns of the day, but a pleasure to watch a young John Wayne.

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This western was made in the early days of television/movies and it fits the bill for the era. I had some issues with the video quality during a high speed covered wagon chase scene but other than that, the movie was satisfactory. I liked the characters in the movie but this movie isn't as dramatic or 'gritty' for my usual tastes. It was fun to watch.