Carson City Cyclone
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Howard Bretherton
Don "red" Barry
Lynn Merrick
Noah Beery
Bryant Washburn
Emmett "pappy" Lynn
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Dr. Stephen Andrews, the secret leader of a gang of bank robbers, has been using his stethoscope to open bank vaults in a series of robberies that have baffled authorities. Andrews' chief henchmen, Frank Garrett and Tom Barton, accompany him on a raid of a San Pablo bank, at which Barton shoots Haskell, the night watchman. Before Haskell dies, he implicates Barton, who is almost lynched by an angry mob after his arrest. Barton is rescued by lawyer Gilbert Phalen, who successfully appeals for a change of venue to nearby Carson City. Gil's association with criminals and his high-living lifestyle have alienated him from his father, the honest and hard-working banker and judge Benjamin Phalen, who presides over the courtroom in Carson City. When Garrett bets Gil two hundred dollars that he will not be able to secure an acquittal for Barton, as Ben is called "the hanging judge," Gil accepts the challenge and leaves a check for the amount, made out to "Cash," in Garrett's care. At the trial, Gil's smooth tactics make the prosecutor, Joe Newman, look ridiculous, while the testimony of blacksmith Fred Sheperd appears to give Barton an airtight alibi. Barton is found not guilty, but Newman's insinuations that Gil did not win honestly prompt Gil to start a fistfight with him in the courtroom. Ben is outraged by the incident, and warns his son that he should change his ways before he becomes totally corrupt. Gil rejects Ben's plea to become a prosecutor and storms out of his father's office, after which Newman brings in more bad news. Newman has Gil's check, which has been endorsed by Sheperd and therefore appears to be a bribe for Sheperd's favorable testimony. Actually, Garrett, upon Andrews' orders, gave Sheperd the check in exchange for his perjury, and Gil is unaware of the transaction. Ben is shaken by the accusation and asks Linda Ware, his secretary, to find Gil, whom he intends to disbar while the charges are investigated. Later that evening, Andrews oversees a robbery of Ben's bank and shoots Ben when he discovers the thieves at work. When Ben's murder is discovered the next morning, Newman accuses Gil, who escapes before the sheriff can take him into custody. Anxious to prevent Gil from discovering the truth, Andrews orders Garrett and Barton to kill him. When Linda confides in Andrews that she is on her way to see Gil, the doctor has Garrett and Barton follow her, and the presence of the two gunmen makes Gil realize that Andrews is behind all of the murders and robberies. Garrett is wounded in a confrontation with Gil, who takes him to Andrews for a life-saving operation. Andrews at first tries to escape, but is forced to perform the surgery. Andrews is then convicted of his crimes, including Ben's murder. Soon after, the governor has appointed Gil to serve out Ben's term as judge, and Gil is congratulated by Linda as he takes control of the courtroom.
Director
Howard Bretherton
Cast
Don "red" Barry
Lynn Merrick
Noah Beery
Bryant Washburn
Emmett "pappy" Lynn
Stuart Hamblen
Roy Barcroft
Bud Osborne
Jack Kirk
Bud Geary
Curley Dresden
Reed Howes
Cecil Weston
Ed Cassidy
Frank Ellis
Tom London
Nolan Leary
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Modern sources include the following actors in the cast: Horace Carpenter, Tom Steele, Jack O'Shea, Frank McCarroll, Roy Brent and Pascale Perry.
