The Texans (1938)

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(22 ratings)

In the rough-and-tumble world of post-Civil War Texas, ex-Confederate soldier Kirk Jordan (Randolph Scott) crosses paths with ranch owner Ivy Preston (Joan Bennett). Although a loyal Southerner, Jordan can't get past the waste and tragedy of the four years that have just ended, but Ivy is eager to… More In the rough-and-tumble world of post-Civil War Texas, ex-Confederate soldier Kirk Jordan (Randolph Scott) crosses paths with ranch owner Ivy Preston (Joan Bennett). Although a loyal Southerner, Jordan can't get past the waste and tragedy of the four years that have just ended, but Ivy is eager to help keep the war for the Confederacy alive, running guns to her would-be lover, unrepentant ex-Confederate captain Alan Sanford (Robert Cummings), who is prepared to ally himself with the Mexican emperor Maximilian as a means of starting a new war against the "Yankee" government. Ivy is attracted to Jordan after he boldly helps her evade an army checkpoint, until she finds out how relatively peaceable he is. Jordan and his sidekick, Cal Tuttle (Raymond Hatton), are prepared to make a cattle drive to the new railhead at Abilene and sell at a handsome profit, but Ivy wants nothing to do with the United States or Yankee money, even as her more practically minded grandmother (May Robson) and her foreman, Chuckawalla (Walter Brennan), try to convince her otherwise. Only when Isaiah Middlebrack (Robert H. Barrat), the corrupt local administrator for the occupying Northern government, arrives announcing a head-tax on cattle does she change her mind and begin to see some worth in Jordan's ambition and boldness. Two deaths, of Middlebrack and a much-loved ranch hand, allow the ranchers and the occupying soldiers to reconcile and make the drive together to the border. Jordan and his outfit find a stricken, desperate Abilene, bereft of anything to be shipped on the new rail line. Jordan's arrival accomplishes everything he hopes for and more, and in the end Ivy sees and also glories in his vision, of a United States reunited and restored, growing and thriving as never before. But Jordan can't abide her continued affection for Alan, whose continued obsession with restoring the Confederacy is wearing on him and almost everyone else by now, and he plans on leaving. Ivy doesn't want to see that happen, but is torn over her lingering affection for Alan. But then she learns that he is planning to join a new organization, the Ku Klux Klan, intended to drive the Yankees out of the South, and she suddenly has to choose with which of these men her future lies. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: James P. Hogan
Written By: Bertram Millhauser
Genres: Western

In Theaters: Aug 12, 1938 Wide
On DVD: Aug 29, 1995

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
There's plenty of manufactured action.

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Ordinary western helped by two high quality supporting players, May Robson, full of vinegar and Walter Brennan all down home grit. Whenever they're on screen the picture is a lot of fun. The leads, Randolph Scott and Joan Bennett aren't bad just sort of colorless. Both have… More
Ordinary western helped by two high quality supporting players, May Robson, full of vinegar and Walter Brennan all down home grit. Whenever they're on screen the picture is a lot of fun. The leads, Randolph Scott and Joan Bennett aren't bad just sort of colorless. Both have been much better elsewhere. Joan, blonde here, really seemed to come into her own a few years on when she switched to brunette it seemed to define her image and make her a more dominant player.

Cast

            Joan Bennett as Ivy Preston

            Randolph Scott as Kirk Jordan

            May Robson as Granna

            Walter Brennan as Chuckawalla Foreman

            Robert Cummings as Capt. Alan Sanford

            Robert H. Barrat as Isaiah Middlebrack

            Harvey Stephens as Lt. David Nichols

            Francis Ford as Uncle Dud

            Raymond Hatton as Cal Tuttle

            Clarence H. Wilson as Sam Ross

            Jack Moore as Slim

            Anna Demetrio as Rosita Rodriguez

            Ernie S. Adams
            
            Irving Bacon as Pvt. Chilina

            James P. Burtis as Swenson

            Spencer Charters as Chairman

            William B. Davidson as Mr. Jessup Railroad Man

            Richard Denning as Cpl. Parker

            Edward Gargan as Sgt. Grady

            William Haade as Sgt. Cahill

            Carl Harbaugh
            
            Otis Harlan as Henry

            Esther Howard as Madame

            Edward J. Le Saint
            
            Francis McDonald
            
            James T. Mack
            
            Chris-Pin Martin as Juan Rodriguez

            Margaret McWade as Middle-Aged Lady

            Philip Morris as Fen

            Wheeler Oakman as US Captain

            Jack Perrin as Private Soldier

            John Qualen as Swede

            James Quinn as Confederate Soldiers

            Ralph M. Remley as Town Lawyer

            Oscar Smith as Black Soldier

            Slim Talbot as Cowboy

            Richard Tucker as Gen. Corbett

            Archie Twitchell as Cpl. Thompson

            Pat West as Real Estate Man

            Everett Brown as Man with Watches

            William Roberts as Mustang

            Harry Woods as Cavalry Officer

            Lon Poff as Moody Citizen

            Ed Brady
            
            Dutch Hendrian as Union Soldier

            Slim Hightower
            
            James Kelso as Snorer

            James Kilgannon
            
            Laurie Lane
            
            Scoop Martin
            
            Helaine Moler as Girl

            Vera Steadman
            
See full cast