Western Wednesdays: The Eagle's Brood (1935)

     The Eagle's Brood is the second Hopalong Cassidy film. It was released on October 25th, 1935. Directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Doris Schroeder and Harrison Jacobs it is an adaptation of Clarence E. Mulford's novel Hopalong Cassidy and the Eagle's Brood. In it Hoppy and Johnny Nelson help a Mexican bandit to rescue his kidnapped grandson Pablo (George Mari).

     This film starts out a little slow, with the first act focusing on the murder of El Toro's wife and family and the rescue of his youngest son by Dolores (played by Nana Martinez, better known as Joan Woodbury). Hoppy doesn't even appear until more then 10 minutes in, but it picks up pretty quickly after this. El Toro (played by silent star William Farnum) saves Cassidy, whose a sheriff when this film starts, and on the outlaw's trail, from being drowned in quicksand so Hoppy feels honor bound to help him find his son. In a scene perfectly illustrating the integrity of the character as portrayed by Boyd he turns in his star declaring, "When you pinned that on me I took an oath. Today I broke it." (There's another scene later on where Hoppy goes to a bar and orders a drink: sarsaparilla!)

      Johnny Nelson, of course, insists on aiding Hoppy in his task and the two set out to retrieve young Pablo. The usual intrigue ensues culminating in a thrilling climax, with a wounded Nelson holding off the baddies after finding Pablo hiding in the mountains and Hoppy riding to his rescue. Gabby Hayes' character is killed once again and so is the ingenue this time around, continuing the tendency toward dark, violent content the series showed in its early days. Because of this there is little room for romance in this installment. Johnny does not even meet Dolores before she is killed, though he does, nonetheless, display some righteous fury over her murder. 

     Returning director Howard Bretherton does a fine job once again and cinematographer Archie Stout stunningly captures the Sierra Mountains, where much of the film was shot. The real draw here is the script by Doris Schroeder and Harrison Jacobs which gives all the character more depth then is usual for a film of this kind. The once high and mighty El Toro sets out, on his own, to rescue his orphaned grandson, but is selfless enough to save Hoppy at the risk of his capture. Because of this Hoppy himself is forced to give up his badge, a difficult decision for the stalwart hero, and is dismayed when Johnny follows his example without a second thought. Dolores, who is in bed with the main villain (Addison Richards' Big Henry), takes a tremendous risk in hiding Pablo from him, and gets a bullet for her efforts. Gabby Hayes' oblivious bartender is also allowed a dignified death, defying his boss to put in with Cassidy and Nelson, after they protect him from John Merton's hot-tempered henchman, Ed. Even Dorothy Revier's saloon girl, Dolly, is given a sense of vulnerability and pathos one wouldn't generally expect from such a stock supporting character.

     It may lack the polish of later installments and it does suffer from pacing problems but, thanks to a an unusually sensitive script and some exciting action in an awesome location, The Eagle's Brood is still a solid entry in the series. 

 Score: 8/10