Law and Order (1932)

Really Surprised!

Pretty Good

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

One more time, I realize that the users have not pointed a very important information about this film. A film that demonstrates a very exceptional violence right in the middle of the thirties. That was so unusual, even before the Hayes Code arrival. I speak of the fact that there was another film made in the same period, a crime film, also written by the terrific W R Burnett and characterized by the great Walter Huston, with also a brutal final gunfight. I talk, of course, of THE BEAST OF THE CITY. I am surprised that no one has spoken about this. Even a blind man, would have told that.Both of them are pure masterpieces, and not only because of the extreme violence. I will never be tired of watching them.

A stark and rugged early talkie western, Law and Order stars Walter Huston and Harry Carey, and is basically a fictionalization of the famous gunfight at the OK Corral. The names are changed to protect the innocent(and the guilty) but this is basically the same story. W.R. Burnett's novel provided the basis for this film. Young John Huston was one of the screenwriters.Those who think that all early sound movies are chatty comedies and lugubrious soaps ought to take a look at this one. It's fast-paced and realistic, and ends in a breathtaking and amazingly well-sustained blaze of violence and gunplay. Director Edward Cahn proved himself a master on this one. He mostly directed B's and short subjects, and yet on this one occasion showed himself the equal of a Ford or a Hawks.

Even though my Encyclopedia of movie Westerns recommends it(calls it underrated)I was a little surprised by how much I liked it. A well constructed story(by John Huston), well defined roles played by great character actors, some good dialogue(when you could make it out), and surprisingly good photography(specially in the bar scenes). So maybe the sound quality was lacking, but remember this movie's from 1932, only a couple of years into sound. Nevertheless,there's a neat little gimmick near the end when the good guys are gathering up all the guns from the townspeople. One of the town ladies goes to curse a blue streak at them and just as she's getting her words out, a stagecoach drives by, muffling her obscenities. The story unfolds in a very predictable manner, but the camera-work and the acting make almost every minute enjoyable. A surprising number of pan-shots and tracking shots for a film of this era, and the deep focus photography in the saloon shots really leave a lasting impression.

Primitive and rude western writen by director to be John Huston, starring his father Walter. This is very masculine: the rare women of the films seems part of the setting, of the furniture. Tough men don't talk very long. They goes Yip and Nop. We all know that there's gonna be some shooting. We can't wait for it! This is B-Movie, but with a special sparkle that makes it unique. Yip!