Bill Slocum John Wayne's Lone Star pictures were treading-water affairs, with hokey plots, exposition-filled dialogue, and lots of back-and-forth horse- riding. "Blue Steel" is an amiable if fitful example of same, with Wayne the apparent victim of mistaken identity.Late one dark and stormy night, Wayne sneaks into a hotel (why he sneaks in is never explained) and witnesses the theft of $4,000. So does the sheriff, Jake (George Hayes, not yet billed as "Gabby" Hayes), who figures Wayne's the "pokey-dot" bandit, so named for a signature neckerchief the thief wears when committing his crimes. The two quickly find themselves together in another town, reasons unexplained, helping some locals trying to make a stand as a group of murdering bandits keep stealing their provisions. Someone wants them gone, but why?The opening certainly is unusual. There's some business to distract the sleepy hotel owner, involving a newlywed groom who "can't find it," not really explaining what he meant. Chances are it was a bedpan, but by the amused look on Wayne's face another possibility arises.He's a charmer, alright, even if he still looks a bit callow here. Watching Wayne work is always a pleasure, and director/writer Robert Bradbury gives him plenty of opportunities to get us on his side, however uncertain we may be of his ultimate motives. I think some of this is intentional, and a point for Bradbury if so.The film doesn't so much unfold as it just sort of happens. One moment we see the sheriff about to draw on Wayne, the next we watch the pair run off to help a maiden in distress, Eleanor Hunt. The back-and-forth between the Wayne and Hayes' characters is convoluted, each telling the other they have a surprise up their sleeves, but you sort of enjoy it if you aren't expecting much in the way of logic.Hunt's the weak link in this film, all fluttery eyes and a high, tremulous voice. Still, you have to feel bad for her character; not only was her father killed but now the big man in town, Malgrove (Edward Peil, Sr.) wants her for his woman. Of course, this seals the deal that Malgrove is up to no good.The one undeniable benefit to "Blue Steel," other than Wayne, is that like the other Lone Star Waynes it's short, just 53 minutes counting a bit that was cut from my Mill Creek DVD of Wayne and Hayes' characters meeting, which still doesn't explain why the sheriff is so slow about taking his prize suspect in.One particularly goofy scene has the sheriff shooting a guy off a barn roof, right before he is about to cut a rope to dump some hay on an unsuspecting Wayne. Why does he kill the guy? I don't know, but I guess it made for an impressive stunt. There are a few noteworthy stunts in this movie, many no doubt performed by Yakima Canutt, who often played bad guys in Lone Star films and does so here as Danti, a. k. a. the "Polky-Dot" as the sheriff keeps calling him.The film does wind things up with an exciting horse chase, with the good guys on a wagon bringing needed provisions to the town. It's all resolved very neatly, too neatly, with Wayne explaining who he really is before riding off with Hunt. I suspect this was seen as good enough for its core audience of eight-year-old boys. They had some growing up to do, as did Wayne. But "Blue Steel" does offer some modest if compensating charms along the way.

FightingWesterner Mystery man John Wayne assists Sheriff George (pre-Gabby) Hayes in his search for polka-dot bandit Yakima Canutt and in the course of the investigation, uncovers a plot by a crooked mining company to steal land from innocent property owners.Blue Steel is quite possibly the best film Wayne made during his tenure as a Lone Star/Monogram Pictures contract star, helped along by some great camera work, editing, and excellent use of locations, as well as some nice work by legendary stuntman Canutt. The special effect at the film's climax is also pretty good for a poverty row production.In one scene, some metal power-lines are clearly visible atop a ridge!Lastly, a colorized version blandly retitled Stolen Goods looks really neat and is worth checking out, that is if you're not an old fuddy-duddy!

kidboots Another great Lone Star western and another town under siege. John Carruthers (John Wayne) sneaks into town - just in time to see the hotel's safe being robbed. The thief leaves a spur and while Carruthers is investigating Old Timer (George "Gabby" Hayes) puts two and two together and concludes that John is the "polka dot" bandit. He plays along with Carruthers and together they try to get to the bottom of the mystery of why no stores can reach the town.Before that they are involved in a "shoot em up" involving Danti's gang. Yakima Canutt, a legendary stunt rider, who also doubled for John Wayne played Danti.Eleanor Hunt was first seen in "Whoopee" - she had been a chorus girl in the original Broadway show - in the movie she had the romantic lead.She plays Betty Mason, whose father is killed in the shoot out and Wayne and Old Timer are almost blamed for that until she comes to their aid. They are just in time to hear Malgrove (Edward Piel Snr.) make an offer for the few remaining homesteaders that are left in the town. He will buy up their ranches for $100 each. John and Old Timer beg to be given a chance to bring in the supply wagon.There is also a terrific piece of action involving a runaway wagon. Carruthers (Canutt) jumps into the runaway horses and rescues the heroine.They do bring in the supply wagon and also solve the riddle of the "polka dot" bandit - it was Danti!!! Old Timer is hard to convince that it is not John!!!I can recommend this film.

morrison-dylan-fan A few years ago i went on a holiday to wales and in a shop i saw a DVD with 3 films that star John Wayne!Having got round to seeing Blue Steel at last,I have to say i was pleasantly surprised by how good it is. The Plot:During one night in a hotel,a bunch of outlaws sneak in and crack the safe and take all the money.Just after they leave,Wayne wakes up and (having seen the safe left open.)He decides to chase after them (what Wayne does not know is that someone else woke up,and thinks he did it!)Later on that day the outlaws shoot a girls father.With all this happening,can Wayne make the town safe again. View on the film:Direction/Screenplay-The writer and director was Robert Bradbury.One of the things Bradbury does well is to start the film the film off with scenes that feel a bit like the Frank Capra classic classic Arsnick and Old Lace.He also does well in creating other very enjoyable scenes(the barn yard scene and the stuns with the horses are the stand outs.) Final view on the film: A very enjoyable short John Wayne Western.