The Oklahoma Cyclone (1930)

You won't be disappointed!

Memorable, crazy movie

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

The acting in this movie is really good.

I like Bob Steele westerns. Although a very small man, Steele excelled at using his fists--and created some of the best and most realistic fight scenes in any of the B-westerns. He also had a nice personality that made his films, even the very cheaply made ones, likable. However, "The Oklahoma Cyclone" has managed to do something I didn't think was possible--it made me HATE one of Steele's films!Why is this such a terrible old film? Because when it came out in 1930, it was obvious that the folks making it had little experience with sound films! Too often, instead of the characters DOING anything, they talk and talk and talk. They also stand woodenly stiff as they deliver their lines in a very unnatural manner. Worse is a pretty Mexican lady whose dialog needed captioning because you cannot understand her! The sum total effect is a film that is stupifyingly boring. In fact, NOTHING about this film is interesting other than it provides you a chance to see Al 'Fuzzy' St. John make his transition from a screen comedian to a cowboy sidekick--something for which he's most remembered today. Overall, a god-awful film with nothing to recommend it. However, don't assume all of Steele's films are like this--they could only get better!!

It's a good thing there were some other reviews here for this film, as I probably wouldn't have known what the story was about. To me, the dialog was virtually inaudible for most of the picture, although I did manage a clear line every now and then, like the one in my summary line above. Fortunately, besides Bob Steele, I managed to recognize B Western stalwarts like Al (before he was Fuzzy) St. John and perennial villain Charles King, looking almost slim in an early villain role.One could argue that this film offered a couple of firsts given it's 1930 vintage. In the opening chase scene, a sheriff's posse decides against following Steele's character down a steep, rugged hill, and the sheriff declares to his men - "We'll head him off at the pass". This is also the oldest Western in which I've seen the cowboy hero sing. At least it looked like Steele was doing his own songs. Bob, who's real name was Bradbury, had a brother Bill who picked up some spare change as a college student dubbing other cowboy crooners since he had a pretty fair voice of his own. Others will dispute it, but it was probably Bill who dubbed John Wayne's singing voice in 1933's "Riders of Destiny".Other than the handful of tunes, the only other thing this one has going for it is pretty Rita Rey as a romantic interest for the Oklahoma Cyclone, or Jim Smith as it were. Rita even gets to sing a song of her own, but it looked pretty comical when Steele handed his guitar to her, as she had a back-up band waiting in the wings.

Outrunning a posse is cowpoke Jim Smith(Bob Steele), also known as the Oklahoma Cyclone. He takes refuge in an outlaw hideout run by the Black Diablo(Charles King), who is suspected of holding Smith's father hostage. Pretending to be an outlaw himself, the Oklahoma Cyclone romances and sings to a charming Mexican girl(Rita Rey). Good thing he shoots better than he sings. When Black Diablo decides to make a raid across the border, Smith goes along thinking that is where his father is being held captive. A grainy black and white dusty rootin' tootin' cowboy flick fun to watch. Also in the cast: Al St. John and Cliff Lyons.

"Head him off at the pass" - probably the first time those words were spoken in a movie!!!Many of Bob Steele's films seemed to be about missing fathers and separated brothers etc. In this film he plays Jim Smith, who poses as The Oklahoma Cyclone and rides into town to escape a posse. With Charles Kng playing the sheriff, you know he has something to hide and from his reaction to a Wanted poster for "The Black Dialbo", you get the feeling that's who he is!!"I'm swaying like a drunken female" - one of the "witty" quotes.There is not much cyclone about Smith - more like a gentle breeze - he seems to spend a lot of time singing and romancing Carmelita (Rita Rey) who also sings as well!!!! There is not much information on the lovely Rita Rey. Her filmography lists only 3 films. She may have been one of the many South American actresses who came looking for fame - hoping to be the next Lupe Velez!!! In this film although she plays the Mexican heroine, Carmelita, her accent is hard to understand - maybe that was the problem. In 1946 she was part of a group of actors that participated in Mexico's first experimental TV station.Smith also learns, through his pal Slim (Al St John, an old Mack Sennett comedian) that the Black Diablo is planning a raid south of the border. Smith goes with them, knowing his father is being held prisoner by them down there. Oddly enough instead of ending with a romantic clinche, the film ends with Smith cradling his dying pal, Slim, in his arms.Not recommended.