Randolph Scott (right) has a mess to sort out. Image: Movie Buffs Forever
If you’re in the mood for a good ol’ fashioned Western, here’s a dilly for you.
When the Daltons Rode (1940) is a brisk Western about four brothers who become outlaws when pushed too far by a greedy land developer. Get this: It’s based on an actual Old West gang known as the Dalton Brothers.
The film stars Randolph Scott as a lawyer enlisted by his childhood friends, the aforementioned Daltons, to help defend their ranch from an evil land development company.
(Scott’s character is obviously shoe-horned into the movie by the studio, because he isn’t integral to the plot, but he is a genuine Movie Star, so he’s worth having around.)
However, the focus of this film lies with the brothers themselves, and how they arrive at a life of crime. They’re multi-talented criminals, robbing stage coaches, trains, and banks.
Oh yes, there’s also murder.
One of the brothers was appointed a U.S. Marshall in his pre-criminal life. But the evil land development company pushes him too far and he explodes. During a court trial, he rips his badge from his vest and chucks it at the judge. “Why should we obey laws twisted to fit the needs of thieves and liars?” he asks.
No one wants to live under a system like that, so it’s ironic the Daltons themselves become thieves and liars. They are audacious ones, with a crime spree spanning four states. The more they rob, the more brazen they become.
Of course there’s a price on their heads. The reward for their capture jumps from $1,000 to $20,000, which would be well over $700,000 US today.
The (outlaw) brothers Dalton. Image: The Ace Black Movie Blog
When the Daltons Rode has a lot of terrific Western action, such as brawls, gun fights and broken furniture. There are also splendid getaway scenes on horseback.
It’s the kind of Western that benefits from plenty o’ action, which means loads of dangerous stunt work.
For example, there are several crowd scenes where much ruckus is caused, and it makes you wonder how director George Marshall was able to keep everyone on the rails.
Plus you have breathtaking stunts, including:
crawling along the top of a moving train.
climbing from underneath a moving stage coach to the top.
crawling along the yoke of a team of galloping horses, then mounting the horses to steal them.
riding a horse off a cliff into the water below.
riding horses off a moving train.
These scenes would have been amazing to see on the big screen. (Note: Horses did not appear to be injured in these stunts, and we hope that really was the case.)
The legendary Yakima Canutt was one of the stunt coordinators on this film. Canutt is credited for being the first stunt person to develop the trick of jumping from a galloping horse to another moving object, e.g. a train or stagecoach. They say he created the boiler plate for action and stunt techniques in Westerns for years to come, and was awarded a special Academy Award in 1966.
Riding horses off a moving train. Image: Alamy
The thing that puzzles us about When the Daltons Rode is that it works. Normally, we’d expect the brothers and their exploits to dominate the screenplay, reducing Scott’s character to a supporting player.
But such is the star power of Randolph Scott, and love interest Kay Francis, that we don’t feel cheated out of something better by their presence. In fact, they provide a moral compass, updating us on the brothers’ shocking activities.
The script is based on the real-life Dalton gang, specifically the 1931 memoirs published by the youngest brother, Emmett. Emmett died before this film was released, but IMDb says his widow was hired as a consultant.
The brothers began their Life of Crime in 1891, when they robbed a train in California, and ended it tragically in 1892, when they held up two banks at the same time. Two of the brothers were killed during this robbery, and Emmett was shot 20 times. He recovered well enough to go to prison, receiving a pardon in 1907 after serving 14 years of a life sentence. He then moved to Southern California, got married, and sold real estate.
He also wrote four books and starred in at least two silent movies: Beyond the Law (1918), about the Dalton Brothers, and The Man of the Desert (1920), a copy of which is on YouTube.
If you’re in the mood for a Western that keeps things light and doesn’t brood about the Human Condition, we heartily recommend When the Daltons Rode. It’s a rollicking old-fashioned yarn, with something to say about corporations who create their own rules.
When the Daltons Rode starring Randolph Scott, Kay Francis, Brian Donlevy. Directed by George Marshall. Written by Harold Shumate. Universal Pictures, 1940, B&W, 81 mins.
“Whatever happened to Randolph Scott, ridin’ the trail alone?” I think of that song every time I see his name. Interestingly enough, I think I’ve only seen one Randolph Scott movie… and that one wasn’t even a western. (It was “Pittsburgh”, in case you’re interested…) And really, I only watched that one for John Wayne. Scott just happened to be in it too.
Thanks for mentioning the Philadelphia movie. Will look for it. Did John Wayne & Randolph Scott make other movies together, I wonder? Might be a good “research project” for this rainy weekend…
I’ve been meaning to get around to seeing this for years and years, mainly because I have learned a lot about the Daltons over time, and I like seeing different portrayals of them. And with Yakima Canutt in charge of the stunts, I can well believe they are extra special.
Since you say this has a scene with people atop a moving train (a microtrope I ADORE), I am bumping it a lot higher on my list of want-to-watch westerns!
Thanks for joining the Legends of Western Cinema Week party 🙂
I haven’t seen the latest two M:I movies, but the very first one from the ’90s ends with all kinds of stuff on a moving train, which pleases me to no end 😀
Although I haven’t seen this film, I have watched quite a few Randolph Scott films over the last few years, they’re a staple of the classic film channels on Freeview over here. It seems to me he never made an unwatchable Western. He may have made some run-of the-mill horse operas, but he made some seriously good ones too, and, like his last picture, Ride the High Country, the occasional great one. For me, he was a giant of the genre, to rival Gary Cooper– or even John Wayne.
I’ve become a new Randolph Scott fan, and I think after watching more of his films I will agree with you. He is every bit as charismatic as John Wayne and Gary Cooper. Thanks for dropping by!
Thank you for this insightful post about what sounds like a great movie with an equally great cast! My Dad really likes Randolph Scott’s westerns. I’ll have to ask him if he’s seen this one, he might be more familiar with the movies Randolph Scott made later in the 1950s. Over time, I’ve been curious about the western genre and sometimes I’ll watch something in the genre. 🙂
This is a terrific Western, and a good one to see if it’s not really your thing. There is no wasted action here, and no outdated “stereotypes”. Just terrific fun. I hope you get the chance to see this!
The Daltons are very famous in Europe as the antagonists in the humorous Western comic strip Lucky Luke. True, the original Daltons only star one album (in which they are killed), but later their fictional nephews star numerous albums, as well as an animation film, and an animated television series
Silver Screenings 
When is this playing?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You might be able to find it on YouTube. I found it on an old DVD collection of Westerns. I hope you get the chance to see it!
LikeLike
I remember that film, it was as you say. But my dad was a big Randolf Scott fan, so we watched many of his films.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a bit embarrassed to say I haven’t seen many Randolph Scott films, which is crazy because he’s terrific. Your dad was on the right track!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aye, I think it’s because he always portrayed a man of honesty and integrity 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Whatever happened to Randolph Scott, ridin’ the trail alone?” I think of that song every time I see his name. Interestingly enough, I think I’ve only seen one Randolph Scott movie… and that one wasn’t even a western. (It was “Pittsburgh”, in case you’re interested…) And really, I only watched that one for John Wayne. Scott just happened to be in it too.
Quiggy @ The Midnite Drive-In
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for mentioning the Philadelphia movie. Will look for it. Did John Wayne & Randolph Scott make other movies together, I wonder? Might be a good “research project” for this rainy weekend…
LikeLike
I’ve been meaning to get around to seeing this for years and years, mainly because I have learned a lot about the Daltons over time, and I like seeing different portrayals of them. And with Yakima Canutt in charge of the stunts, I can well believe they are extra special.
Since you say this has a scene with people atop a moving train (a microtrope I ADORE), I am bumping it a lot higher on my list of want-to-watch westerns!
Thanks for joining the Legends of Western Cinema Week party 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right – who doesn’t love a moving train with people on top? Didn’t Tom Cruise do something similar in a recent Mission Impossible movie?
Thanks for hosting this Western Week. Some new titles which means lots of great viewing ahead.
LikeLike
I haven’t seen the latest two M:I movies, but the very first one from the ’90s ends with all kinds of stuff on a moving train, which pleases me to no end 😀
Thanks for joining the party!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When the Daltons Rode is such a good slice of Western action. Great film filled with some incredible stunts for its time – especially on the train.m
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, some magnificent stunts. I couldn’t believe it when they rode horses off a moving train!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Although I haven’t seen this film, I have watched quite a few Randolph Scott films over the last few years, they’re a staple of the classic film channels on Freeview over here. It seems to me he never made an unwatchable Western. He may have made some run-of the-mill horse operas, but he made some seriously good ones too, and, like his last picture, Ride the High Country, the occasional great one. For me, he was a giant of the genre, to rival Gary Cooper– or even John Wayne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve become a new Randolph Scott fan, and I think after watching more of his films I will agree with you. He is every bit as charismatic as John Wayne and Gary Cooper. Thanks for dropping by!
LikeLike
Thank you for this insightful post about what sounds like a great movie with an equally great cast! My Dad really likes Randolph Scott’s westerns. I’ll have to ask him if he’s seen this one, he might be more familiar with the movies Randolph Scott made later in the 1950s. Over time, I’ve been curious about the western genre and sometimes I’ll watch something in the genre. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a terrific Western, and a good one to see if it’s not really your thing. There is no wasted action here, and no outdated “stereotypes”. Just terrific fun. I hope you get the chance to see this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Daltons are very famous in Europe as the antagonists in the humorous Western comic strip Lucky Luke. True, the original Daltons only star one album (in which they are killed), but later their fictional nephews star numerous albums, as well as an animation film, and an animated television series
LikeLiked by 1 person
No way! I’m glad to know they’re internationally famous. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike