Copyright 12 February 1947 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. U.S. release: 2 February 1947. No New York opening. U.K. release: 14 February 1949. Australian release: 20 May 1948. 5,194 feet. 57 minutes. SYNOPSIS: Raymond Burr plays a ruthless saloon-owner (why are publicans always the heavies in these movies?) who wants to control all the land in the Strip, but his plans are thwarted by the return of a young settler (James Warren, naturally)!COMMENT: If the synopsis of the 1925 silent version of Zane Grey's novel (starring Owen Moore and Constance Bennett, directed by the great William K. Howard for Paramount) is anything to go on, this sound picture bears little resemblance to the original book. Never mind, it's a most entertaining movie anyway. Director William Berke tries really hard to follow in the shadow of William K. Howard, and excels himself both in the dialogue (long tracking shots) and action spots (running inserts, good stunt-work). Norman Houston's able screenplay maintains solid interest throughout. Photography and other technical credits rate as really first class, whilst production values appear welcomely expansive. And it's good to see Raymond Burr contributing his usual impressive performance as the heavy.

Raymond Burr has a field day as a despicable dastard in director William Berke's "Code of the West" as he tries to swindle anybody and everybody. At one point, heroic James Warren criticizes Burr: "I hear you never wear a gun when you figure on having someone murdered." Warren wears a white hat, while Burr sports a black hat. Bob Wade (James Warren) is as plainspoken as he can be. Wade and his Hispanic sidekick John Laurenz complicate matters for villainous Burr when they show up with a wagon train. Town boss Boyd Carter (Raymond Burr of "Without Reservations") is buying up land as cheaply as possible. As it turns out, Carter has insider information about the coming of the railroad. Not surprisingly, nobody else knows anything about the railroad. Meantime, Carter needs all the land that he can get. He wants Bob Wade's real estate, and he sends Sheriff Hatfield (Harry Woods) and some henchmen to scatter his claim stakes. Wade and Chito Rafferty surprise them and wing one of them. Bob lassos one hombre and discovers that Sheriff Hatfield was doing the dirty work. He works Hatfield over and takes the latter's badge. He confronts Carter about Hatfield's activities. Hatfield has assured Carter that he will take care of Wade. As it just so happens, Hatfield brandishes his revolver and tries to shoot Wade, but our hero drills him with a one shot. Naturally, Ruth Stockton (Debra Alden) is appalled by this behavior. "I don't like trouble, I just want to live like other people," Wade informs the heroine, when her father and she visits him at his ranch. Banker Henry Stockton (Harry Harvey) and Bob go into business together as livestock partners in a herd of Herefords. Initially, Carter not only wants the elder Stockton eliminated with extreme prejudice, but also he wants the $30 thousand Stockton has it. Now, Carter preys on the good intentions of Henry Stockton and his daughter, while he lets dance hall gal Milly (Carol Forman) take advantage of Harry Stockton (Robert Clarke of "Alienator") who has no idea that he is being played for a fool. Eventually, Harry wises up when Milly and Carter's second-in-command Matt Saunders (Steve Brodie of "White Heat") abduct him at pistol point. Our hero overtakes the stagecoach transporting Matt and Milly with their kidnapped guest and thwarts the felons. Wade climbs atop a rock and leaps onto the stagecoach. Later, he has a knock down drag-out fisticuffs with Carter who he pummels into submission. Jess Warren is as lanky as Gary Cooper but his facial features resemble Will Bill Elliot. He packs one revolver on his right thigh. He isn't the liveliest fellow in the room, but he cuts a good figure as a gunslinger. Indeed, Jess gets the girl at fad-out. This Republic Studios dust raiser boasts some terrific production values and the Lone Pine, California, scenery is very rugged. Things are pretty cut and dried. The only mystery is how the heroes deal with the bad guys. Burr easily steals the show, and Berke does wear out his welcome. Some of the dialogue is quotable.

James Warren and John Laurenz play hero and sidekick in Code Of The West, purportedly based on a Zane Grey novel. Warren who sang a bit looked a whole lot like Gary Cooper, but with barely a fifth of Cooper's intense screen charisma. As for Laurenz I learned today that other actors actually played Chito Rafferty at RKO, a role I thought was the private preserve of Richard Martin. At least it should have been, it was practically sacrilegious to see someone else as the happy go lucky Chito.Warren and Laurenz have a small spread and they're siding with banker Harry Harvey, Sr. against town boss Raymond Burr who wants to drive all the small ranchers because of some insider information about the railroad coming through. Not exactly an original western plot, but Burr who was just getting started in the first phase of his career as a screen character actor in mostly villainous roles.Veteran western heavy Harry Woods plays Burr's handpicked marshal who kills for Burr and makes it legal. And Steve Brodie and Rita Lynn play a pair of card-sharks who are draining Harvey's son quite dry of the family fortune, also at Burr's behest.In this less than memorable B western Raymond Burr is clearly the best in the field and the main reason to watch Code Of The West if you're interested.

If you've only seen the 1925 version of this movie, you ain't seen nothin' yet. This new version packs in more thrills, more action, and more heartwarming Old West excitement than the original. I mean, let's face it, William K. Howard (I) just didn't cut the mustard as director back in the day; William A. Berke clearly blows him completely out of the water. And James Warren (I) clearly steals the show with his thrilling and deeply moving portrayal of Bob Wade, vengeful cowboy champion.So, if you want to see an adaptation of Zane Grey's classic story of western justice, don't go see that sorry excuse for a film they made back in 1925. The 1947 version kicks its sorry butt all over town.