Thanks for the memories!

Admirable film.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

. . . but when Tim McCoy's "Tim Clark" looks for his, he finds a gold mine instead. Unfortunately, McCoy has zero charisma, apparently graduating from the Narcoleptic School of Acting. Alice Day, as Tim's girl "Betty," is even worse. Though TWO-FISTED LAW gives John Wayne second billing, there are at least 10 other roles more important than the light-lifting done by his ranch hand "Duke" (and with more lines). Among these is Walter Brennan's crooked deputy Bendix (but every Western fan knows that Brennan's dentures have more acting ability Mr. Tiptoes ever possessed, as well as better line readings). Other than those cast short-comings, the most that can be said of TWO-FISTED LAW is that it simply follows along in the deep ruts cut by all the low-budget Horse Operas of the 1930s Great Depression years. This message is that most if not all Rich People make their fortunes by duping employees into committing robbery, mayhem, and murder at their bidding, and then throwing them under the stagecoach at the first hint of trouble. (Though wealthy Crimelord "Robert Russell" gets some just desserts here, in Real Life the Rich become Red State icons with names such as Koch. (THINGS go better with Koch--NOT people!)

Two-Fisted Law (1932) ** (out of 4)Standard "B" Western of its era has Tim McCoy playing a man named Tim who has his family ranch stolen from him by the crooked Bob Russell (Wheeler Oakman).TWO-FISTED LAW is pretty much like every other "B" Western that was made around this era. It's pretty amazing how many films would deal with a person shot in the back and the wrong person being arrested or some crooked deal that causes someone to lose a ranch. This film here, like most of them, is mildly entertaining but there's no doubt that if you're wanting a classic this here isn't that.If you're a fan of McCoy then you'll find him charming here as he plays it pretty straight like normal. I would be lying if I said he was one of my favorite cowboy stars from this era but he's at least mildly entertaining. Once again John Wayne and Walter Brennan are here together, although neither one makes that much of an impact. TWO-FISTED LAW has the typical shoot-outs and chases but there's nothing here that separates it from all the rest.

If you are a die-hard John Wayne fan and this is why you are watching this film, you are bound to be disappointed. He's in the film but just doesn't have much to do. His personality is practically non-existent---mostly because this is such an early film for Wayne and his B-persona hadn't yet been established. Instead, it's clearly a Tim McCoy starring vehicle--and an adequate one at that. I've seen much better McCoy westerns (he's one of my favorite in this low-budget genre) but it is passably good entertainment.The film begins with Tim Clark (McCoy) having to give up his ranch. It seems that he's had some business setbacks and the man holding the note to the property is demanding his money now. Having no choice, he leaves and is gone for two years. In the meantime, the baddie, Russell, is now trying to take Betty Owens' ranch as well--or force her to marry him. But, before this evil deed can take place, Clark returns and offers to pay off Betty's debt! And, it just so happens that about the same time McCoy makes this $10,000 payment that the Wells Fargo office is robbed and the clerk is killed. Naturally Clark coming into so much money seemingly out of no where makes everyone suspicious and Russell insists that the nice Sheriff (Tom Tully) arrest Tim. But by the end, naturally, Tim has not only found the real robbers and won the girl--and shown that he is LEGALLY a very wealthy man.Old western fans will also be pleased to know that Walter Brennan is also in the film. Uncharacteristically, he plays an evil henchman and you may not recognize him at first because he's young AND sounds very different--before he lost his teeth in an accident.

In 1932, the 25 year old John Wayne went down poverty row with the independent production companies. In this film, he developed his fist fight scenarios, adding a bit of humour to his acting as well as drawing out his romantic side.