Beau Bandit

Beau Bandit is a 1930 American Pre-Code western film, directed by Lambert Hillyer, from a screenplay by Wallace Smith, based on his short story, "Strictly Business" which appeared in the April 1929 edition of Hearst's International-Cosmopolitan.[1] The film starred Rod La Rocque, Mitchell Lewis, Doris Kenyon, and Walter Long. The story is based loosely on the legend of Robin Hood.[2]

Beau Bandit
Theatrical poster for film
Directed byLambert Hillyer
Produced byWilliam Le Baron
Screenplay byWallace Smith
Based on"Strictly Business"
by Wallace Smith
StarringRod La Rocque
Mitchell Lewis
Doris Kenyon
Walter Long
CinematographyJack MacKenzie
Edited byArchie F. Marshek
Production
company
Release date
  • March 2, 1930 (1930-03-02) (US)[1]
Running time
71 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Montero is a bandit who, along with his deaf-mute sidekick, Coloso, are planning to rob a bank. They are pursued by "Bob Cat" Manners and his posse. As they close in on the bank, owned by Perkins, Montero becomes involved in the personal affairs of Helen Wardell and her fiancé, Howard. Perkins is also interested in Wardell, and he also holds the mortgage on Howard's ranch. Finding out that Montero has a price on his head, Perkins uses that fact to coerce Montero into agreeing to kill Howard. Perkins, however, has no intention of paying Montero, instead arranging for the posse to capture the outlaw.

Montero fakes Howard's murder, and is expecting a double-cross, so he is prepared for the trap, and instead of being captured, he traps the posse. Montero then holds Perkins hostage, extorting $5,000 from him in exchange for his life, and forces Perkins, who is also Justice of the Peace, to marry Helen and Howard. Adding insult to injury, Montero gives the newlyweds the $5,000 for their honeymoon.

Cast

Production

The film was originally titled Strictly Business, RKO changed the name to Beau Bandit in January 1930.[3] It included the first depiction in a talking film of a deaf character, Coloso. Although sound films could now depict deaf speech, Coloso is also mute, beginning a period in American cinema of portraying silent deaf persons.[4]

Reception
Lobby card for the film.

While being generally favorable to the acting in the film, NY Times critic, Mordaunt Hall, gave the film a lukewarm review, laying most of the fault in the screenplay by Smith.[5] Motion Picture magazine gave the film a favorable review, calling it "delightful", and being particularly impressed with the script.[6] While Motion Picture News called the film just "so-so", and gave La Rocque's performance a very negative review. However, they complimented Doris Kenyon and Mitchell Lewis' performances, as well as Harry Tierney's song, "Just a Little Kiss".[7]

Cast member George Duryea would become better known by his name Tom Keene, who was a B movie star in later years; he would also use the name Richard Powers.[2]

References
  1. "Beau Bandit: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  2. Jewell, Richard B.; Harbin, Vernon (1982). The RKO Story. New York: Arlington House. p. 26. ISBN 0-517-546566.
  3. "Coast Notes". Variety. January 22, 1930. p. 42. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  4. Schuchman, John S. (1999). Hollywood Speaks: Deafness and the Film Entertainment Industry. University of Illinois Press. pp. 44–45, 113. ISBN 0-252-01526-6.
  5. "Robin Hood Revised". NY Times. Archived from the original on June 16, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  6. "The Picture Parade: Beau Bandit". Motion Picture. August 1931. p. 47. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  7. "Opinions on Picture: Beau Bandit". Motion Picture. June 21, 1930. p. 42. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
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