"John Wayne: Riding the Trail, Vol. 1/Riding the Range, Vol. 2 (Full Screen) [2 Discs]"

In terms of the action sequences this is one of the better Lone Star efforts. I have seen this 1934 film cited as showing how Canutt and Wayne had developed by this point the "pass system" that is now the standard technique for on-screen fight scenes. However, the story is pretty standard. Canutt does several of his better stunts, performing a leap from a moving train off a bridge into a river and riding horses off of a cliff. Another great stunt man, Ed Parker, plays Ryan the Mountie (it is in Canada, another interesting difference, so there has to be a Mountie).

Set in Canada but beautifully photographed in California around Mammoth Lakes by Archie Stout, "The Trail Beyond" has Wayne playing Rod Drew, who is up in French-Canadian country trying to track down Felice Newsome (Verna Hillie), the daughter of an old friend. On the way he encounters an old college friend, Wabi (Beery, Jr.) who has to be rescued from some card cheats who frame him for a murder. What ups the ante is that they find a skeleton with a map, which, of course, means there is a gold mind out there. The bad guys after the gold mind are Jules LaRocque (Robert Frazer) and his henchman Benoit (Dwire), a pair of trapper with the worst French-Canadian accents you have ever heard. Things then proceed so that everybody has repeated occasion to get very wet (you will see what I mean).

I suppose the reason Canutt was not given a regular role was because he is kept pretty busy in this one doubling for Wayne and everybody else and is the main attraction of the movie. The story and the acting are sub-par and while the quality of the video on this VHS tape is not especially good it did not appear to be as bad as what many are bemoaning is what they are finding on a DVD version of "The Trail Beyond." But on balance those accents are just so bad they drag this one down a notch despite the work turned in by Canutt.

This DVD, released by Columbia Tri-Star, has the clearest print of RIDERS OF DESTINY that I recall seeing - a very sharp image in many places. Unfortunately, it omits at least 5 1/2 minutes of the film, including a critical plot point. The ranchers say they'll sign a new water rights contract with the evil land baron, only if he'll agree to one additional clause. This version then skips the scene where they say what the clause is, and so the villain's extreme dismay near the end of the film isn't adequately explained.

Perhaps as compensation for the missing scenes, a pseudo-symphonic soundtrack has been dubbed in at various points, sticking out like a huge sore thumb.

I think in the future I'll continue to watch the Goodtimes DVD (2000) for this film; their copy is more complete, even though the picture is somewhat washed out.

The only other film I've watched on this DVD is TWO FISTED LAW starring Tim McCoy (and a small part by John Wayne). I've only seen TWO FISTED LAW once before, so I'm not sure if anything's missing. As a movie, I found it less enjoyable than the films starring John Wayne. The print was in fairly good condition.

When I get around to watching the other films on this DVD 2-Pack I may post more information about print quality and omissions, if I can determine that. At present I give this set 2 out of 5 stars.