In "The Painted Desert" of Arizona, William Farnum (as Bill 'Cash' Holbrook) and J. Farrell MacDonald (as Jeff Cameron) happen upon an abandoned covered wagon; in the deserted carriage, they find a baby boy. The chums "adopt" the boy, but argue over what to name him. Each man wants to pass on, through the child, their surname. Mr. Farnum steals away with the tot, who grows several decades, into adult Bill Boyd (as Bill Holbrook). Mr. MacDonald may have lost the boy, but he gained a girl, pretty blonde Helen Twelvetrees (as Mary Ellen Cameron). Ms. Twelvetrees attracts Montana cowboy Clark Gable (as Rance Brett), who helps at the ranch. When Twelvetrees gets a hankerin' for Mr. Boyd, the spurned Mr. Gable gets jealous.
Often described as Gable's first "talkie", this film might more accurately be described as his first role of consequence. Note, Gable had about as much to say in "Du Barry, Woman of Passion" as in most of his silent films. Farnum, a huge star in the mid-teens, was in the talking "Du Barry", also. Considering the successful careers had by Farnum, Boyd and Gable, this film is quite disappointing. The dialogue comes out of everyone's mouth like molasses. A little fun to see the stars somewhat dimmer than usual.
*** The Painted Desert (1/18/31) Howard Higgin ~ William Boyd, William Farnum, Clark Gable, Helen Twelvetrees
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