Buck Jones as Ted Ames efficiently clears his name and rights wrongs in "Black Aces" with a focused technician-like approach, having some adventurous moments thrown in along the way. Buck Jones is a good actor, negating the desire for the viewer to judge Buck's reactions to events and his micro-moods. One surprisingly out-of -character moment for a Buck Jones portrayal was when Buck aimed his rifle at someone who he thought was a member of the badmen gang from a distance and said to his captive bad guy "I should bump him off just for fun." Did he really mean it, or did he say it just for the consumption of his hombre' in tow? I will say also that the pivotal scene paramount in engendering the need for the story was memorably and swiftly gruesome.
There is a lot of dust kicked up by furiously galloping mounted horses, and Buck's beautiful, spirited horse Silver gets to proudly shine in this film, too. Silver really saves the day! It is so interesting to note, too, how Charles King, already a star in 1937 in supporting roles in these westerns, could make an appearance and utter only one or two lines. Yes, those were the days! All in all, "Black Aces" has a big cast, lots of action, and an adult air about it and is a good one for B-western fans to watch.
6 Reviews
Not bad at all!
JohnHowardReid20 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Produced and directed by BUCK JONES. Co-director: Lesley Selander. Screenplay: Frances Guihan. Based on the novel by Stephen Payne. Photographed by Allen Thompson and William Sickner. Film editor: Bernard Loftus.
Copyright 29 June 1937 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. Released in the U.S.A. 5 September 1937. No New York opening. 6 reels. 59 minutes.
COMMENT: Another unusual film from the Buck Jones western stable, this one has some really extraordinary photography which defies all Hollywood conventions:- Fully half the film is shot in almost total darkness (including the opening and the climax) and another quarter of it in the eerie twilight just before sunset or just after sunrise.
Jones' direction is more than competent and incorporates at least one striking image (Jones rides down a slight incline and is surrounded by a complete circle of badmen). Jones' production eschews flamboyance and has a realistic drabness about it which is very effective.
The script reveals the identity of the "boss" a little too early in the narrative, but the slack is taken up by some fine character studies, particularly from Kay Linaker as the unusually spirited heroine, Fred Mackaye as the card-cheating saloon proprietor, and Bernard Phillips as his personable brother. Comedian Corbett has a straight role for once.
Copyright 29 June 1937 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. Released in the U.S.A. 5 September 1937. No New York opening. 6 reels. 59 minutes.
COMMENT: Another unusual film from the Buck Jones western stable, this one has some really extraordinary photography which defies all Hollywood conventions:- Fully half the film is shot in almost total darkness (including the opening and the climax) and another quarter of it in the eerie twilight just before sunset or just after sunrise.
Jones' direction is more than competent and incorporates at least one striking image (Jones rides down a slight incline and is surrounded by a complete circle of badmen). Jones' production eschews flamboyance and has a realistic drabness about it which is very effective.
The script reveals the identity of the "boss" a little too early in the narrative, but the slack is taken up by some fine character studies, particularly from Kay Linaker as the unusually spirited heroine, Fred Mackaye as the card-cheating saloon proprietor, and Bernard Phillips as his personable brother. Comedian Corbett has a straight role for once.
Review
tomwal10 May 2011
Another rip roaring western from Buck Jones. Jones co-directed,produced and starred in this formula "b" western.Jones play's a devil may care rancher who takes life's worries a day at a time. When his intended engagement with childhood sweetheart Sandy McKenzie falls apart,Jones heads to town,and loses his ranch in a poker game.The shady card dealer Len Stoddard sends his brother Jake to ride with Jones to remove his property. While there ,Jake is killed. Jones is accused and has to flee the law.A gang called the Black Aces is extorting money from the citizens of Sweetwater ,sending black ace calling cards to their intended victims.Jones sets out to clear his name.In a scant 59 minutes, Jones gets the bad guys and renews his romance with Sandy.As in most of his films,Jones's easy going style and sense of humor makes for an enjoyable hour. Jones horse Silver gets to show off also. Veteran baddie Bob Kortman is along with Robert Frazier.Kay Linaker makes a strong leading lady. Viewers of the much later Dragnet series will recognize Barney Phillips as Jake.William Sickner lensed the film,with Cliff Lyons stunting for Jones .Print is so so. 59 minutes.Released by Universal. 6 stars.
Pretty much the usual...
planktonrules9 December 2018
Hile I have seen tons of old B-westerns, I must admit that there is a certain sameness about 90% of the movies. And, one of the most familiar plots among these very familiar plots is the big, bad bossman who is secretly trying to ruin everyone and take over the territory. And so, "Black Aces" is yet another one of these pictures...and a not especially distinguished one.
Ted Ames (Buck Jones) is a somewhat dopey guy when the story begins. He doesn't have a lot of initiative and his fiance is so frustrated with him, she breaks things off. Soon, however, Ted is accused of murder...and he spends the rest of the movie looking for the person behind it and a string of murders. And what connects these murders? The victims were found with a black ace on them.
The acting and, especially, the direction are subpar in this film. It is watchable but unless you are a die-hard B-western fan, you'll find it slow going and dull. Not terrible...just not very good...and Jones was capable of much better and much more interesting stuff.
Ted Ames (Buck Jones) is a somewhat dopey guy when the story begins. He doesn't have a lot of initiative and his fiance is so frustrated with him, she breaks things off. Soon, however, Ted is accused of murder...and he spends the rest of the movie looking for the person behind it and a string of murders. And what connects these murders? The victims were found with a black ace on them.
The acting and, especially, the direction are subpar in this film. It is watchable but unless you are a die-hard B-western fan, you'll find it slow going and dull. Not terrible...just not very good...and Jones was capable of much better and much more interesting stuff.
Those Aces mean death! I'm still here and kickin' ain't I?
hines-200030 September 2020
Great chemistry between Kay Linaker and Buck Jones. It starts out with Buck's fiancée calls him, "the joke of Sweetwater". In many ways it gets even worse for our hero. Buck loses everything in a crooked card game and a gang known as the Black Aces is wrecking havoc on local ranchers. Len Stoddard (Fred MacKaye) and henchman Wolf Whalen (Bob Kortman) are all in against Buck and the ranchers. A great scene with the heroine walking across a dangerous swinging bridge that was supposed to be done by a stunt woman. Buck did it all in this one, actor, director and producer.
A gentle,funny man.
mercyespejonatividad21 October 2020
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