Unseen Enemies (1925)

Starring: Al Hoxie

Director: J.P. McGowan

Studio: Anchor Film Distributors

PLOT SUMMARY:

Bordertown ranger Steve Halliday (Al Hoxie) goes undercover to uncover a cocaine smuggling plot led by shifty Bingo Strook (Bob Kortman). It is up to Halliday to find the cache of illegal drugs before he is outed as a lawman. Halliday must combat Strook's gang, his female accomplice (Catherine Craig) and secure law and order to the Davenport ranch and restore power to its rightful heirs, the Davenport boys (Bud & Clayton Gilderbrand).

FILM REVIEW:

I should note upfront that the print I viewed of Unseen Enemies was quite splicy, washed out and blurry and only clocked in at thirty seven minutes and looked to be missing quite a bit of footage, making for rough viewing. 

However, from what I was able to see of the film, I enjoyed. Al Hoxie, half-brother of the far more successful Jack Hoxie, makes for a decent western star and is the spitting image of his brother. Al Hoxie made a handful of films for independent producer Morris R. Schlank, with Unseen Enemies being among those produced. These films were to be produced by John Ford's older brother Francis but wound up being helmed by noted "hack" J.P. McGowan. Given McGowan's reputation, Unseen Enemies isn't half bad, with a great fight at the end showing prune-faced Bob Kortman and Hoxie rolling down a treacherous hill and duking it out at the same time. The Gilderbrand boys portraying the Davenports are as bratty as they come but prove effective in the film's climax.

Unseen Enemies is available from Alpha Video on a double bill with Hoxie's The Rustler's End (1928, Collwyn) which was helmed by Robert J. Horner and not McGowan as Alpha's back cover incorrectly states. It should be noted that Alpha's "score" for Unseen Enemies is comprised of selections from the 1939 Astor Pictures reissue of William S. Hart's Tumbleweeds, right down to the sound effects. However, I must applaud Alpha for releasing such obscurities on home video as these minor, "B" grade silent oaters would most certainly not sell under a larger label.

Unseen Enemies is a fun timewaster, with the great Bob Kortman given some time to shine.

Until nest time, pardners!