THE TONTO KID

Rex Bell as the Tonto Kid

THE TONTO KID (1934). Director: Harry L. Fraser. 

Old Rance Cartwright (Joseph W. Girard of The Spider Returns), who owns a ranch, feels that his time is nearly up, and wants his lawyer, Creech (Theodore Lorch) to find his granddaughter, Edna May. and make her an heiress. Cartwright originally hoped to send his former employee, Skeets Slawson, aka the Tonto Kid (Rex Bell) -- whom he fired for insubordination --  to find the granddaughter, but Skeets has other plans. Creech discovers that the long-lost granddaughter may be dead, so with millions at stake he enlists a friend of hers, Nancy (Ruth Mix), to pose as her. Creech's plans take an even darker turn when he kidnaps the real Edna May (Barbara Roberts) with the help of confused Wesley (Buzz Barton). After saving Creech and Nancy from highway robbers, Skeets and Nancy form a bond, which may come in handy when Creech frames the Tonto Kid for murder. 

Rex Bell with Theodore Lorch

Rex Bell, the handsome husband of "It" girl Clara Bow, was a likable and charismatic western cowboy star. The Tonto Kid, although a mediocre flick, illustrates his considerable, rakish appeal. Skeets is no Roy Rogers -- he's a bit of a rapscallion and most people seem to think he's an actual criminal -- although he's ultimately on the side of the angels. Ruth Mix is the child of Tom Mix, and while no beauty, she isn't a bad actress. The Tonto Kid initially has an interesting premise, but then it goes in too many directions. There are a couple of exciting moments, however.  The ending, in which Skeets is sort of roped into a very sudden marriage without even a proposal, is funny and a little scary! Harry L. Fraser also directed The White Gorilla.

Verdict: Rex Bell is the only reason to watch this. **. 

THE WHITE GORILLA

Ray Corrigan in costume as the white gorilla

THE WHITE GORILLA (1945).Director: Harry L. Fraser.

Steve Collins (Ray Corrigan of Captive Wild Woman), a guide in Africa, comes back alone from an expedition to tell others about his experiences in the jungle, including an encounter with an "outcast" and angry white gorilla (also played by Corrigan). Most of the film consists of flashbacks which were actually taken from the 1927 silent serial, Perils of the Jungle. The biggest giveaway is the hair style and look of the gal in the flashbacks as opposed to the more natural and much sexier look of Ruth (Lorraine Miller) in the "modern" segments. The scenes from the serial have to do with a cute little white boy, Kimpo (Bobby Nelson), who is somehow able to lord it over the natives (Tarzan as a child?) and who first appears hanging from a friendly elephant's trunk. Then there's a search for treasure in the Cave of the Cyclops, where the little boy's mother lives, pretending to be crazy so the natives -- who are called "Tiger Men" -- will leave her alone. The white gorilla seems not to have come from the serial, and there are two scenes where this outcast battles a mighty black gorilla for domination. There's a very exciting scene (from the serial) in which lions attack an outpost, as well as a sequence with a hippo supposedly going after a frightened gal -- judging from these sequences Perils of the Jungle seems like it must have been a lively and fast-paced cliffhanger.  The "cyclops" of the cave only turns out to be a giant statue. but the wildlife footage in this is excellent. Ray Corrigan proves to be a better actor in his ape suit than he does out of it. The opening credits for this read "starring Ray Corrigan and an All Star Cast" -- hardly.

Verdict: Interesting opportunity to see a silent serial with some ape nonsense thrown in for good measure. **.