Blue Steel

A 1934 American pre-Code Monogram Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring John Wayne. Wayne plays a U.S. Marshal who is trying to capture the Polka Dot Bandit, who has taken off with $4,000. The film also featured Yakima Canutt and George “Gabby” Hayes.

It was released as Stolen Goods in the UK, and this version was later released in a colorized version on home video.

John Carruthers is an undercover US Marshal. He appears to be in town investigating a string of robberies committed by the Polka Dot Bandit, but when he is a little late in discovering one of the Bandit’s thefts, Sheriff Jake thinks Carruthers is the thief. For some reason, instead of arresting him, Jake accompanies him on his journey; after all, as Carruthers says, “It’s kind of lonesome trailing alone.”

The two stumble upon a gang robbing a pack-mule train; they rescue Betty Mason, whose father has just been killed by the bandits. She and her father were bringing desperately needed provisions to town, but the bandits have successfully cut off any supplies, forcing the townspeople to consider fleeing their homes or starving to death.