Western Wednesdays: New Frontier (1939)

     New Frontier was released on August 10th, 1939. Directed by George Sherman and written by Betty Burbridge and Luci Ward it is the last of the Three Mesquiteers movies to star John Wayne. In it the Mesquiteers find themselves in the middle of an eminent domain dispute when the citizens of New Hope Valley are instructed by the government to leave their homes to make way for a new reservoir.

     This entry in the series has a more complex and politically driven plot then usual. Major Braddock (Eddy Waller) and the citizens of New Hope Valley stubbornly refuse to abide by the governments decision, leading them to the brink of a violent insurrection. Meanwhile, M.C. Gilbert (LeRoy Mason), the man charged with building the reservoir and moving the settlers out is both greedy and ruthless. He is secretly working with Harrison Greene's William Proctor to swindle them and the Mesquiteers, wanting to avoid a violent conflict, unwittingly aid the villains.

     This was the movie debut of Jennifer Jones (billed as Phylis Isley) who would become a star a few years later in Henry King's Song of Bernadette. Her character, Celia Braddock, is the more level headed daughter of the fiery Major Braddock. She does a good job with the limited material she's given. Eddy Waller is excellent as her hot-headed father. LeRoy Mason is a solid bad guy once again and his man of action provides a good contrast to the more conniving Harrison Greene.

     By this point, Raymond Hatton had taken over for Max Terhune, and Lullaby was renamed Rusty. Hatton's is a more irascible character then his predecessor. He's less of a comedic third wheel and more of a pompous, but reliable partner for Stony and Tuscon. Like John Wayne, who would leave the series for greener pastures after the success of Stagecoach, this was to be the last Mesquiteers picture for Ray Corrigan. Republic had refused to raise his salary and the departure of Wayne lead the studio to re-cast Robert Livingston, who Corrigan greatly disliked, so the actor walked away from the role he had played in 24 movies.

     It's not the best entry in the series. The pacing a little sluggish in places and the resolution is a bit too easy but it is a solid B-Western nonetheless. George Sherman, yet another young director who was destined for greater things, delivers the usual blend of action, intrigue and comedy and the stunt-work, coordinated by the legendary Yakima Canuut, is great as always. Incidentally, this the only film in the series with a decent restoration, as it was restored for a screening at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City as part of their John Wayne centennial retrospective in 2007.

Score: 7/10