Smokey Smith (1935) watch online HD

"Smokey Smith" was another of Bob Steele's poverty row "B" westerns directed by his father Robert N. Bradbury.

Smokey Smith (Steele) is riding along with his parents (Horace B. Carpenter, Vane Calvert) towards a new life when their wagon is attacked by an outlaw gang while he is away looking for water. His parents are killed and Smith vows revenge. We later learn that the gang headed by the villainous Kent (Warner Richmond) was responsible. They have been living with and taking orders from Blaze Bart - now there's a name (George "pre-Gabby" Hayes) who just happens to have a comely young step daughter named Bess.

Smith meanwhile, finds out that Kent and his gang were responsible for his parents' death and sets about to bring them to justice. Unfortunately he is captured and left in the desert to die. He manages to find his way back to town and with the support of the local sheriff (Earl Dwire) hones his skills as a fast on the draw gunfighter. The sheriff christens him "Smokey" because of all the smoke generated by the rapid firing of his six shooter. (I know, I called him "Smokey" from the beginning, but I don't think that we ever learn his real name).

Kent refuses to obey Blaze's orders and the two have a falling out. Smith, meanwhile is back on the trail of Kent and his gang. After Blaze's attempt to stop Kent fails, Smith confronts Kent and..................................................

It is interesting to see Hayes just on the brink of becoming that lovable crotchety old scalawag which he is best remembered. He played many character parts, on both sides of the law, in a long list of "B" oaters, notably John Wayne's Lone Star Westerns of 1933-35. And they didn't come any meaner than the sneering Warner Richmond one of the best "B" villains of the 1930s.

There's a great shot of Steele wandering past a majestic cliff formation as he stumbles his way out of the desert and a rip snortin' shoot out between the good guys and bad guts that set this one apart.

Plenty of action and fast paced direction from Director Bradbury.

Bob and his folks are on their way somewhere. While Bob is off checking out a water hole, a gang kill his folks and steal their wagon. Bob tries to pursue them, but they shoot his horse and he has to walk into town. He vows his vengeance and soon comes across the gang, led by George Hayes, who wants to steal enough money to send his daughter, Mary Kornman, back east. But there's something odd in the relationship among the outlaws, and when Bob comes across Warner Richmond, trying to rape Miss Kornman, Bob rescues her, and soon finds out the true story.

There's a lot of switching around of roles in director Robert Bradbury's usual stock company. Perennial villain Earl Dwire plays the kindly sheriff and the acting is particularly good, which I attribute to Hayes' influence. Before he got stuck playing "Gabby" for fifteen years on the big screen and the Howdy Doody show, he had been a successful stage actor, and had retired until the Crash had wiped out his investments. The weakest performance is by Miss Kornman.

There's also a big finale, in which about forty men fight a small battle, including a cavalry charge. There is some striking cinematography by William Nobles, who is held responsible for the high quality of work at Republic at Wikipedia, but about whom I can find little hard data other than 176 movies he lensed, starting in 1917. He retired in 1943, and seems to be another of the many talented craftsmen that no one knows much about because he worked in the unremarked Bs.

Mary Kornman was one of the loveliest young ladies who never, for whatever reason, managed to break into the A pictures. And she was a good enough actress, too, that she should have been given more breaks.

In "Smokey Smith" she has a few scenes in which she shows her acting ability, with facial and bodily movements, as well as her loveliness.

Playing her step-father is the very great George Hayes, long before he was "Gabby," and in a role with a twist. He was really a very fine actor.

Star Bob Steele was his usual superior self, showing his acting chops as well as his excellent cowboy skills. He has to have been among the five or ten best riders of all the cowboys stars, except, perhaps, for the rodeo stars, such as Yakima Canutt.

Speaking of Yak, that his fight-scene choreography had not yet become the industry standard shows in some of the fight scenes in these Westerns, but that does not really detract. Little Bob Steele mixing it up with the larger Warner Richmond looks rough enough.

"Smokey Smith" has a gritty and rugged look, and the special effects and makeup departments make Bob Steele and others look especially worn. Along with the excellent directing and photography, they make this movie one to watch. I do recommend it, and would have given it a higher rating except the print at YouTube seems to have an entire reel missing. Fortunately, the scene following is pretty self-explanatory, so give it a look, unless you can find a better print.

This one is included as an extra on Alpha's excellent Bob Steele DVD, The Law Rides. Actually, I thought Smokey was the better of these two movies. The often inventive, on-location direction (with fast tracking shots, yet!) by Robert North Bradbury (Bob Steele's real-life dad) was superior to his good work on The Law Rides and the support cast here led here by George Hayes and the lovely Mary Kornman, was absolutely excellent. (Mary was one of the very few female stars of silent shorts who successfully made the transition to sound shorts. She did this – either by design or sheer luck – by opting out of Hollywood towards the end of 1926 and not returning until the second half of 1930). I also found it fascinating that although George Hayes most certainly does not play a "Gabby" character here, he has already developed most of Gabby's persona and mannerisms. Finally, I find it hard to believe that Sam Katzman had anything to do with this movie's production. I can't see Sam working harmoniously with Bob Bradbury at all. If Sam had dared to interfere or offer any of his famous "Lights out in twenty minutes!" dictums, Bob would have had Sam promptly escorted off the set!