Name: Trail Drive
Genre: Western
Released: 1933
Duration: 1 min
Cast: Ken Maynard, Cecilia Parker, William Gould, Frank Rice, Bob Kortman

Cast & Crew

Film Details

Genre

Western

Release Date

Sep 4, 1933

Premiere Information

not available

Production Company

Ken Maynard Productions

Distribution Company

Universal Pictures Corp.

Country

United States

Technical Specs

Duration

60m

Film Length

7 reels

Synopsis

Cattle ranchers who have brought their herds to Sweetwater, Texas, are stunned to find there are no buyers. Even their usual buyer, Jameson, refrains from purchasing steers, and the bank refuses to extend more loans on credit. Honest John decides to buy up the cattle with his own scrip, which he promises will be good to purchase food in his stores. As soon as he migrates the herd to New Mexico, where the market is better, he promises to exchange the scrip for cash. After Ken, Honest John's well-respected foreman, promises the people he will see the deal through, the cattle ranchers agree to the trade. Ken drives the cattle to New Mexico, after having convinced his sweetheart Virginia, her aunt Marthe, and friend Thirsty, to ride with him. The herd is driven on schedule and spirits are high until Jameson rides into Sweetwater injured. The ranchers become outraged when Honest John closes his stores and refuses to accept any more scrip. Jameson reveals that Honest John's men tried to kill him to prevent him from revealing that Honest John wants all the cattle for himself. A posse is formed to prevent the herd from crossing into New Mexico. One of Honest John's men tries to force Ken to push the herd faster, but he throws him out of the camp. Suspicious, Ken rides back to Sweetwater, after promising the ranchers he will make sure John guarantees to refund the scrip. Hank follows Ken, accompanied by Virginia. In town, Ken discovers Honest John has sold the cattle and intends to keep the proceeds. While Ken fights with Honest John, Virginia is taken hostage. Ken rescues Virginia and alerts the ranchers to rush back to Texas. Honest John has already sold the cattle, and the new owners try to prevent their return, but Ken refuses to acknowledge defeat and confronts Honest John, who has attempted to escape with the money. In fear for his life, Honest John reluctantly pays the ranchers, but is killed by his gang for the $5,000 he pocketed. Thirsty proposes to Marthe, while Ken and Virginia make their own wedding plans.