The Telegraph Trail (1933)

A greedy businessman-turned-renegade foments an Indian uprising against the coming telegraph to perpetuate his economic stranglehold on the territory.

Mediocre Western with some humor and the usual shoot-outs with villains and Indians.

Halliwell (no star): "A lacklustre Western, with action scenes lifted from the silent The Red Raiders made seven years earlier, though Wayne does get to wear a rather fetching fringed jacket."

Maltin**: "Lesser-grade Warner Bros. B Western."

Mighty Joe Young (1949)

 

 

A young woman who has raised a giant gorilla from an infant brings him to Hollywood years later seeking her fortune in order to save her family's ranch.

 

Charming rip-off of King Kong clearly aimed at a younger audience (despite a lot of violent mayhem there seem to be no fatalities) with the same great special effects and a fast-paced, lively plot with a happy ending.

 

Halliwell*: "Rather tired comic-sentimental follow-up to King Kong, with a tedious plot and variable animation but a few endearing highlights."

 

Maltin***: "Updating of KING KONG theme has comparable (and Oscar-winning) stop-motion special effects by Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen, but no matching storyline, and Moore is no Fay Wray. Mr. Young is good, though."