Included on the First Season Warners DVD of the ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN TV series, this Technicolor Western short stars the future "Man Of Steel" himself, George Reeves, as another legendary character - "Buffalo Bill". Directed by second-unit expert B. Reeves Eason (he was responsible, among other things, for the legendary chariot race sequence in the Silent version of BEN-HUR [1925]), the film details the short-lived long-distance mail service provided by the Pony Express company. It's set immediately prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War, with the rough-riding but dedicated company employees commissioned to deliver pressing news of the delicate situation from one state to the other by horse - an arduous and risky journey which takes a number of days and necessitates them to make several stops at strategic points along the way in order to exchange horses. Invariably, they also have to contend with enemy agents determined not to allow these vital messages to go through - so that, in the meantime, agitators can insidiously work on the population of neutral states so as to rally them to their particular cause! Reeves's Bill Cody is a wannabe Pony Express rider who gets his chance when one of the men is wounded in an ambush and can't complete his journey. Intriguing, action-packed and boasting rich colors, the film is pleasant and unassuming entertainment of the kind they don't make 'em like anymore.
8 Reviews
Yeoman service
bkoganbing23 January 2014
I recognized some stock footage of Dodge City in this short subject about the Pony Express Days. I also got the impression that the film was supposed to be a feature, but for one reason or another was cut down to a short subject and cast with many of Warner Brothers B list players.
The famous legend of the Pony Express bringing the news of Lincoln's election to California is shown here. That the existence of this mail and communication service to our West Coast did a lot to keep California in the union is simply accepted. The Pony Express knew it was on a short term existence, the telegraph was in existence for a decade and a half and it would move sooner or later across the plains as did the railroad, but only after the Civil War.
Before he was Superman, before he played Sir Galahad in a serial, George Reeves takes on the part of the Pony Express's most famous alumnus William F. Cody. Probably Stephen Baldwin in The Young Riders was a lot closer to the real Cody, but Reeves does all right with the part. That it was in fact Cody who brought the word of the election returns I'm not sure of.
Still it's a nice story about young Buffalo Bill.
The famous legend of the Pony Express bringing the news of Lincoln's election to California is shown here. That the existence of this mail and communication service to our West Coast did a lot to keep California in the union is simply accepted. The Pony Express knew it was on a short term existence, the telegraph was in existence for a decade and a half and it would move sooner or later across the plains as did the railroad, but only after the Civil War.
Before he was Superman, before he played Sir Galahad in a serial, George Reeves takes on the part of the Pony Express's most famous alumnus William F. Cody. Probably Stephen Baldwin in The Young Riders was a lot closer to the real Cody, but Reeves does all right with the part. That it was in fact Cody who brought the word of the election returns I'm not sure of.
Still it's a nice story about young Buffalo Bill.
Western History, Hollywood Style
boblipton3 September 2019
George Reeves wants to be a Pony Express rider. Fortunately for him, this was during the 10 months that the organization actually existed, and he's playing "Buffalo Bill" Cody. So you know that he's going to be one, and experience as much adventure as can be crammed into two-reel Technicolor short.
The movies gave a weird and warped view of the Old West, with everyone carrying a handgun and being white. In reality, about a third of cowboys were Mexicans and a quarter were Black, and guns were rare -- and frequently banned in towns by local laws. There weren't many people out West in those days. Once you got much west of the Mississippi the land was dry and inhospitable until you got to the Cascade Mountains. People went out west for jobs, usually in mines, and when the mines played out, they left.
That doesn't make for much in the way of adventure, and the market for adventure stories and idea of Manifest Destiny resulted in an inexhaustible market for Wild West Shows and Dime Novels about the great men who ran them -- often written by Ned Buntlne, the publicist for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
The impulse continued for a long time. Western shorts starring "Broncho Billy" Anderson gave way to features starring William S. Hart and a plethora of B western stars, all White, continuing through the 1970s on television. They're good works of fiction, but that's all they were.
The movies gave a weird and warped view of the Old West, with everyone carrying a handgun and being white. In reality, about a third of cowboys were Mexicans and a quarter were Black, and guns were rare -- and frequently banned in towns by local laws. There weren't many people out West in those days. Once you got much west of the Mississippi the land was dry and inhospitable until you got to the Cascade Mountains. People went out west for jobs, usually in mines, and when the mines played out, they left.
That doesn't make for much in the way of adventure, and the market for adventure stories and idea of Manifest Destiny resulted in an inexhaustible market for Wild West Shows and Dime Novels about the great men who ran them -- often written by Ned Buntlne, the publicist for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
The impulse continued for a long time. Western shorts starring "Broncho Billy" Anderson gave way to features starring William S. Hart and a plethora of B western stars, all White, continuing through the 1970s on television. They're good works of fiction, but that's all they were.
George Reeves as a young Buffalo Bill
dudeman568526 October 2005
This was a short film made in 1940, back when they used to show features like this before or in between movies.
The plot is rather rather predicable -- and to my knowledge -- pretty historically inaccurate. It is about a privately owned parcel service that tries to link up Missouri and California. They believe their business will do better if they can get news of Abe Lincolns election to CA in record time, which upsets some Southern sympathizers who believe they won't get California to join the Confederacy if they know that Lincoln won. (?) What ever one wants to make of the plot, the important thing about the film is that absolutely beautiful western scenery in stunning technicolor, which seems to have been the real draw in the first place. In a time when very few films were in color -probably none that were shown with this - the audience must have really gotten a kick out of this films painting like cinematography and vivid action sequences.
It IS available on DVD -- I ran across it on the 1st season of "The Adventures of Superman"
The plot is rather rather predicable -- and to my knowledge -- pretty historically inaccurate. It is about a privately owned parcel service that tries to link up Missouri and California. They believe their business will do better if they can get news of Abe Lincolns election to CA in record time, which upsets some Southern sympathizers who believe they won't get California to join the Confederacy if they know that Lincoln won. (?) What ever one wants to make of the plot, the important thing about the film is that absolutely beautiful western scenery in stunning technicolor, which seems to have been the real draw in the first place. In a time when very few films were in color -probably none that were shown with this - the audience must have really gotten a kick out of this films painting like cinematography and vivid action sequences.
It IS available on DVD -- I ran across it on the 1st season of "The Adventures of Superman"
U.S. History-Warner Brothers Style
redryan642 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
ONCE AGAIN WE find ourselves indebted to Turner Classic Movies for bringing us so much more than the usual, well known feature pictures that we all know and love. The inclusion of these short subjects fills in so much of the otherwise empty gaps in one's movie knowledge.
WHILED IT'S TRUE that all celluloid historical accounts are, by their very nature, at least somewhat fictionalized, they do at least serve in whetting the curiosity; which does lead to one's doing further investigation into a given area of study. If one can be introduced to an historical figure, which was heretofore an unknown, all the effort is worthwhile.
CONSIDERING TODAY'S LUCKY subject, PONY EXPRESS DAYS (Warner Bros./Vitaphone, 1940), we have before us a telling of the establishment of this service. It ran between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California; promising to, and delivering on that promise deliver letters in ten days between the two points. The point is made in the film of how important tghis was to the Union then. The hostilities known as the American Civil War had begun and the new State of California neede to be kept in contact.
THE STORY FURTHER circles in on one of the Pony Express' most famous alumnus; that being one William Frederick Cody (1846-1917). He, of course later became famous as Buffalo Bill. The real Mr. Cody who was hired as a Pony Express rider at the age of 14, found himself being portrayed by a then 26 year old actor named George Reeves. That's right the future "Man of Steel" showed off his great range of acting ability in playing the role as a somewhat shy, awkward youngster.
THE CRUX OF the story involves young Mr. Cody's heroic multi station ride, fighting off hostile Indians and voluntarily substituting for fallen or disabled riders. His ride proves to save the Union, keeping Californians happy and secure with the guy in the White House, Mr. Lincoln.
AS IS True with the other Warners/Vitaphone non comedic short subjects that we've seen, our curiosity is piqued with this viewing. And having one's curiosity piqued is a good thing, isn't it Schultz ?
WHILED IT'S TRUE that all celluloid historical accounts are, by their very nature, at least somewhat fictionalized, they do at least serve in whetting the curiosity; which does lead to one's doing further investigation into a given area of study. If one can be introduced to an historical figure, which was heretofore an unknown, all the effort is worthwhile.
CONSIDERING TODAY'S LUCKY subject, PONY EXPRESS DAYS (Warner Bros./Vitaphone, 1940), we have before us a telling of the establishment of this service. It ran between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California; promising to, and delivering on that promise deliver letters in ten days between the two points. The point is made in the film of how important tghis was to the Union then. The hostilities known as the American Civil War had begun and the new State of California neede to be kept in contact.
THE STORY FURTHER circles in on one of the Pony Express' most famous alumnus; that being one William Frederick Cody (1846-1917). He, of course later became famous as Buffalo Bill. The real Mr. Cody who was hired as a Pony Express rider at the age of 14, found himself being portrayed by a then 26 year old actor named George Reeves. That's right the future "Man of Steel" showed off his great range of acting ability in playing the role as a somewhat shy, awkward youngster.
THE CRUX OF the story involves young Mr. Cody's heroic multi station ride, fighting off hostile Indians and voluntarily substituting for fallen or disabled riders. His ride proves to save the Union, keeping Californians happy and secure with the guy in the White House, Mr. Lincoln.
AS IS True with the other Warners/Vitaphone non comedic short subjects that we've seen, our curiosity is piqued with this viewing. And having one's curiosity piqued is a good thing, isn't it Schultz ?
old fashion tall tale short
SnoopyStyle16 September 2020
In the years before the Civil War, young Bill Cody wants to be a Pony Express rider. His daddy was killed in an Indian attack. He's considered too heavy to be a rider but he takes a job at a station. Southern agitators are trying to rile up sympathizers in California and recruiting Indians to stop the Pony Express. With the results of Lincoln's election, the mail must get through. With the completion of the transcontinental telegraph, the Pony Express becomes obsolete. Cody goes on a buffalo hunt with his station manager Nevada Jim who gives him the nickname, "Buffalo Bill Cody". Make America Pony Again. That's the feeling of this 20 min short. It's the heroic Pony Express going against southern traitors and barbaric Indians. It has the feel of a tall tale and that's somehow fitting for Buffalo Bill. It's a sales job for the unwashed masses yearning for the good ole days.
Fun Short
Michael_Elliott23 December 2008
Pony Express Days (1940)
*** (out of 4)
Impressive Technicolor short from Warner features an young George Reeves playing the legendary "Buffalo" Bill Cody. In the film, Cody is turned down as a rider for the Pony Express but soon gets his shot when Indians kill another rider. An important message must get to California about Lincoln being elected President and without this message it could cause the state to pull from the union. Historic accuracies aside, this is a very entertaining little film that makes one wish that shorts still played a part in Hollywood today. Even though Eason directed over one-fifty films, he's probably best known for the stunts in the silent Ben-Hur but he handles the story and action here very well. He does a great job at keeping the film moving fast and the riding scenes are very well done as are the fight sequences. Reeves does a pretty good job in is role delivering a fine performance that allows him to show off his action skills but he also manages a few nice laughs as well.
*** (out of 4)
Impressive Technicolor short from Warner features an young George Reeves playing the legendary "Buffalo" Bill Cody. In the film, Cody is turned down as a rider for the Pony Express but soon gets his shot when Indians kill another rider. An important message must get to California about Lincoln being elected President and without this message it could cause the state to pull from the union. Historic accuracies aside, this is a very entertaining little film that makes one wish that shorts still played a part in Hollywood today. Even though Eason directed over one-fifty films, he's probably best known for the stunts in the silent Ben-Hur but he handles the story and action here very well. He does a great job at keeping the film moving fast and the riding scenes are very well done as are the fight sequences. Reeves does a pretty good job in is role delivering a fine performance that allows him to show off his action skills but he also manages a few nice laughs as well.
Probably about half truth...half fiction.
planktonrules16 September 2020
Despite only operating for about a year and a half, it's amazing the number of films about the Pony Express. The messenger service only lasted a short time before it went backrupt...and soon telegraph would replace it, which was so much faster and more cost effective. This short color film from Warner Brothers is about this service and focuses on one of their riders, Buffalo Bill (George Reeves). Oddly, Cody was only 15 when he began working for the Express...and Reeves clearly wasn't!
So is this a good history lesson? In some ways, no. The importance of the service is way overstated in the film...such as saying how it 'opened the west'...though California was already a state long before this and as I mentioned above, the service was very short-lived. Also, I could find no evidence that Cody himself delivered the message that Lincoln had won the 1860 election, as they said in the film. HOWEVER, Cody often exaggerated his early life and God only knows what he actually did before becoming the famous showman! And, the film DID admit that the service lasted only a short period and lost money! Overall, the story is reasonably interesting even if much of it is fiction or exaggerated.
So is this a good history lesson? In some ways, no. The importance of the service is way overstated in the film...such as saying how it 'opened the west'...though California was already a state long before this and as I mentioned above, the service was very short-lived. Also, I could find no evidence that Cody himself delivered the message that Lincoln had won the 1860 election, as they said in the film. HOWEVER, Cody often exaggerated his early life and God only knows what he actually did before becoming the famous showman! And, the film DID admit that the service lasted only a short period and lost money! Overall, the story is reasonably interesting even if much of it is fiction or exaggerated.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
