The Mysterious Rider (1938)

70 or 74 mins | Western | 21 October 1938

Director:

Lesley Selander

Producer:

Harry Sherman

Cinematographer:

Russell Harlan

Editor:

Sherman Rose

Production Designer:

Lewis J. Rachmil

Production Company:

Paramount Pictures, Inc.
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HISTORY

A HR production chart includes Robert Fiske in the cast. His participation in the final film has not been confirmed. MPH release charts list the running time as 90 minutes, however, this is probably an error. As stated in the opening credits, some scenes were filmed on location in the Saguaro Forest, Tucson and in Gleason, AZ. A modern source includes Ben Corbett in the cast. For information on other versions of Zane Grey's novel, see listing above. ...

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A HR production chart includes Robert Fiske in the cast. His participation in the final film has not been confirmed. MPH release charts list the running time as 90 minutes, however, this is probably an error. As stated in the opening credits, some scenes were filmed on location in the Saguaro Forest, Tucson and in Gleason, AZ. A modern source includes Ben Corbett in the cast. For information on other versions of Zane Grey's novel, see listing above.

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GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Daily Variety
17 Sep 1938
p. 3
Film Daily
21 Sep 1938
p. 8
Hollywood Reporter
11 Jun 1938
p. 6
Hollywood Reporter
20 Jun 1938
p. 12
Hollywood Reporter
5 Jul 1938
pp. 22-23
Hollywood Reporter
17 Sep 1938
p. 3
Motion Picture Daily
23 Sep 1938
p. 7
Motion Picture Herald
23 Jul 1938
p. 47
Motion Picture Herald
24 Sep 1938
p. 39, 42
Variety
16 Nov 1938
p. 15
CAST
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION COMPANY
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTORS
D. M. Abrahams
Asst dir
Asst dir
PRODUCERS
Assoc prod
WRITER
PHOTOGRAPHY
ART DIRECTOR
FILM EDITOR
Sherman Rose
Ed
COSTUMES
Ward
MUSIC
Mus dir
Orig mus
SOUND
PRODUCTION MISC
SOURCES
LITERARY
Based on the novel The Mysterious Rider by Zane Grey (New York, 1921).
LITERARY SOURCE AUTHOR
DETAILS
Release Date:
21 October 1938
Production Date:
recorded at General Service Studios, mid Jun--early Jul 1938
Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
21 October 1938
LP8370
Physical Properties:
Sound
Western Electric Wide Range System
Black and White
Duration(in mins):
70 or 74
Length(in feet):
6,529
Length(in reels):
8
Country:
United States
PCA No:
4493
Passed by NBR:
Yes
SYNOPSIS

After he discovers he has stolen the wallet of Jack Bellounds, the son of the foreman of the White Slides ranch he used to own, Ben Wade decides to return home with his sidekick, Frosty Kilburn. Twenty years before, Ben was framed for the murder of his partner but fled White Slides and became the notorious bandit, Pecos Bill. Jack, who has a fiery temper, is returning to White Slides after several years in jail, and hopes to renew his romance with Collie, Wade's daughter. Collie, however, is in love with the new foreman, Wils Moore. Ben, under the pseudonym of "Red," and Frosty get jobs as ranchhands at White Slides, and Ben quickly befriends his daughter, who has no idea of his true identity. Ben finds out that the cattle are being rustled, and that Jack's father, William, has assumed ownership of the ranch. Ben is unable to arrange for Collie to become owner, so he becomes determined to at least stop the rustling. In the meantime, Jack goes to his former boss, Cap Folsom, and demands he stop rustling their cattle, but Folsom merely laughs. Ben reveals his true identity to Wils, and Wils becomes his ally, but is arrested when he is seen with "Pecos Bill." Frosty and Ben break Wils out of jail. Folsom kills William because he is the only man alive who knows that he is responsible for the death of Ben's partner and the cattle rustling. Jack seeks to avenge his father's death but is killed. Frosty and Ben attack the rustler's hideout until a posse, led by Wils, arrives. Ben kills Folsom and ...

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After he discovers he has stolen the wallet of Jack Bellounds, the son of the foreman of the White Slides ranch he used to own, Ben Wade decides to return home with his sidekick, Frosty Kilburn. Twenty years before, Ben was framed for the murder of his partner but fled White Slides and became the notorious bandit, Pecos Bill. Jack, who has a fiery temper, is returning to White Slides after several years in jail, and hopes to renew his romance with Collie, Wade's daughter. Collie, however, is in love with the new foreman, Wils Moore. Ben, under the pseudonym of "Red," and Frosty get jobs as ranchhands at White Slides, and Ben quickly befriends his daughter, who has no idea of his true identity. Ben finds out that the cattle are being rustled, and that Jack's father, William, has assumed ownership of the ranch. Ben is unable to arrange for Collie to become owner, so he becomes determined to at least stop the rustling. In the meantime, Jack goes to his former boss, Cap Folsom, and demands he stop rustling their cattle, but Folsom merely laughs. Ben reveals his true identity to Wils, and Wils becomes his ally, but is arrested when he is seen with "Pecos Bill." Frosty and Ben break Wils out of jail. Folsom kills William because he is the only man alive who knows that he is responsible for the death of Ben's partner and the cattle rustling. Jack seeks to avenge his father's death but is killed. Frosty and Ben attack the rustler's hideout until a posse, led by Wils, arrives. Ben kills Folsom and is ordered out of town by the sheriff. His true identity still a secret, Ben leaves after returning the money he robbed from the stagecoach and seeing Wils and Collie happily situated.

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Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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