The Painted Desert

Director: Howard Higgin
Studio: Miracle Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Description

Aginist a backdrop of spectacular Arizona desert landscapes, two cowboys engage in a bitter feud over the upbring of an orphaned baby found in an abandoned emigrants camp

Customer Reviews:

One of the better early sound westerns........2006-09-10

Two long time friends find a baby boy left behind within an abandoned camp in old Arizona, and their conflict over who should take charge of the infant quickly lowers their relationship to the freezing point, where it remains for over 20 years although they are neighbouring ranchers, and the grown youth's attempt to bring about a reconciliation forms the heart of this interesting early western. William Boyd, later renowned as Hopalong Cassidy, is featured as the young man, Bill, raised by Cash Holbrook (William Farnum), with J. Farrell MacDonald as Jeff Cameron, the other of the feuding pair, and when Bill, a mining engineer, discovers a valuable lode of tungsten ore on Cameron's land, he forthwith fosters a mining project which he believes will be putting an end to the longstanding conflict. Actually filmed in Arizona's scenic Painted Desert region, the work is efficiently directed by Howard Higgin, who is abetted by the fine camerawork of Edward Snyder, with excellent sets arranged by Carroll Clark, and the cast generally performs well, a strong performance being given by Clark Gable as a completely unrepentant villain, only the tasteless characterization by Helen Twelvetrees as Cameron's daughter tainting the production.

Needs a new coat.......2005-10-01

Even though this is Clark Gable's first appearance in a sound movie - `sound' as in `synchronized noise,' not `sound' as in `free from defects and structurally complete' - THE PAINTED DESERT is a pretty wretched early talkie. The real star of the movie is William Boyd, better known to a couple of generations as Hopalong Cassidy. The movie begins with a couple of dust busting cowboys discovering an infant in a deserted camp. The cowboys care for, argue over, and ultimately part as enemies over the foundling. One carries off the baby to raise as a son, the other sets up a homestead at a desert watering hole.

The baby grows up to be Bill Holbrook (Boyd), while the waterhole cowboy marries, gets widdered, and has a pretty young daughter name of Mary Ellen (Helen Twelvetrees.) Papa Holbrook is a well-to-do cattle rancher while Mary Ellen's father is barely scratching out an existence until beau Bill discovers tungsten ore on his land. The set up being - the two feuding ex-partners will be reunited when the young `uns are united in matrimony, and prosperity, by cattle or tungsten ore, will bring peace to the valley. Enter Clark Gable, here playing a character named Rance Brett, an interloping desert Iago who sees that his best chance with Mary Ellen will only be realized if the old feud can be kept a-boiling.

This would be an alright western if it had a better plot, or the actors didn't talk so very, very slow, or if the direction/editing didn't keep you wondering things like `How did that injured cowboy get shot?' In other words, it'd be okay if everything in it were different. Although Gable is a catalyst for most of the action THE PAINTED DESERT is only going to appeal to die-hard fans of his, or Hoppy's. Also included on the Laserlight discount release is the 28-minute `Clark Gable on Film,' which is nothing more than a compilation of Gable trailers (China Sea, Lone Star, To Please a Lady, Mutiny on the Bounty, etc.) and publicity stills linked by a superficial narration (`Gable spent most of his life unconsciously looking to replace his dead mother....') Disappointing on every level.

GABLE'S TALKIE DEBUT.......2000-05-20

Cash and Jeff come across an abandoned baby in the Painted Desert; both want the baby, but Cash claims it as his own. Over the years, the former pals display animosity in an ongoing dispute over cattle, mining and water rights. Meanwhile, the baby boy, Bill grows into a strapping young man........The real star of this Pathe antique is the beautiful scenery. The photography is beautiful in this slightly stiff production which is mainly notable for Gable's talkie debut as bad guy, Brett (who blows up Boyd's mine!) The now rarely-seen Helen Twelvetrees (yes, that was her REAL married name) plays Mary Ellen Cameron.

Average customer rating:

The Painted Desert
Starring: William Boyd; Clark Gable
Director: Howard Higgin
Manufacturer: Miracle Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

Band of Angels
Command Decision
The Misfits
Clark Gable Collection, Vol. 1 (Call of the Wild / Soldier of Fortune / The Tall Men)
It Started in Naples

ASIN: B00029J2BW
Release Date: 2002-02-02

Product Description

From back cover - Western Partners Jess and Cash find a baby boy in an otherwise deserted emigrants camp, and clash over who will be the father. They are still bitterly feuding years later when they own adjacent ranches. Of course, this bitterness escalates with near-disastrous results.

Average customer rating:

One of the better early sound westerns.
Needs a new coat
GABLE'S TALKIE DEBUT

The Painted Desert
Starring: William Boyd , Helen Twelvetrees , William Farnum , J. Farrell MacDonald , and Clark Gable
Director: Howard Higgin
Manufacturer: St Clair Vision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Misfits
Teacher's Pet
Mutiny on the Bounty
It Started in Naples
Band of Angels

ASIN: B0001GH7BI
Release Date: 2004-02-17

Customer Reviews:

One of the better early sound westerns........2006-09-10

Needs a new coat.......2005-10-01

GABLE'S TALKIE DEBUT.......2000-05-20

Average customer rating:

One of the better early sound westerns.
Needs a new coat
GABLE'S TALKIE DEBUT

Painted Desert/Clark Gable on Film
Starring: William Boyd , Helen Twelvetrees , William Farnum , J. Farrell MacDonald , and Clark Gable
Director: Howard Higgin
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Misfits
Teacher's Pet
Mutiny on the Bounty
It Started in Naples
Band of Angels

ASIN: 6305914788
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Description

Two feuding cowboys clash over who will raise an orphaned boy they find. Several years later, the feud continues over water rights. Tension escalates when the grown boy must choose between his adoptive father, or the daughter of the other man. Gable makes a notable debut in his first picture as a bad guy. Includes a documentary, an intro by Tony Curtis and the original theatrical trailer for Gable's Mutiny On The Bounty.

Customer Reviews:

One of the better early sound westerns........2006-09-10

Needs a new coat.......2005-10-01

GABLE'S TALKIE DEBUT.......2000-05-20

Average customer rating:

One of the better early sound westerns.
Needs a new coat
GABLE'S TALKIE DEBUT

The Painted Desert
Starring: William Boyd , Helen Twelvetrees , William Farnum , J. Farrell MacDonald , and Clark Gable
Director: Howard Higgin
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Misfits
Teacher's Pet
Mutiny on the Bounty
It Started in Naples
Band of Angels

ASIN: B000052167

Customer Reviews:

One of the better early sound westerns........2006-09-10

Needs a new coat.......2005-10-01

GABLE'S TALKIE DEBUT.......2000-05-20

Double Feature- The Painted Desert & Hittin' The Trail

Average customer rating:

Double Feature- The Painted Desert & Hittin' The Trail

Manufacturer: Digiview Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Standard Full Frame
Black and White
Stereo Sound
Interactive Menus
85 mins/60 mins

ASIN: B000FP5KO6

Product Description

The Painted Desert - In this classic Western, two cowboys find a baby boy in a deserted camp They proceed into a bitter feud over who is going to raise the baby. Many years later during a mining venture, the boy is forced to take sides. Hittin' the Trail - An outlaw, the Tombstone Kid, is framed for horse theft. He trades the horses with horse traders and then is arrested for the crime. Action and suspense blend perfectly in this original exciting Western.

Average customer rating:

The Painted Desert
Starring: William Boyd; Clark Gable
Director: Howard Higgin
Manufacturer: Miracle Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

DTS | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

Average customer rating:

Classic Heart Throbs

Manufacturer: Genius Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Collectibles | Categories |
Product Features:

Digitally remastered
Sound enhanced

ASIN: B000MGT7WY

Product Description

Painted Desert, Captain Kidd, The Big Trees, Minesweeper, Angel and the Badman, Hell Town. All on 3 dvds

Average customer rating:

Painted Desert/Farewell to Arms
Starring: Painted Desert , and Farewell to Arms
Manufacturer: Krb Music
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00078X3QS
Release Date: 2006-04-04

Product Description

Double Feature as follows: 1. The Painted Desert (B& W 1932), Clark Gable and A Farewell to Arms (B& W 1932), Gary Cooper.

Western Classics Triple Feature, Vol. 4 (The Painted Desert / From Broadway to Cheyenne / Santa Fe Trail)

Average customer rating:

Western Classics Triple Feature, Vol. 4 (The Painted Desert / From Broadway to Cheyenne / Santa Fe Trail)
Starring: Rex Bell , Marceline Day , Matthew Betz , Huntley Gordon , and Roy D'Arcy
Director: Harry L. Fraser , Howard Higgin , and Michael Curtiz
Manufacturer: Rph Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0000694YG
Release Date: 2002-08-13

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