Silver Spurs: Just another afternoon in the saddle

Is it worth your time?

If you like old-school cowboys, horses that seem to have more personality than the villains, and movies that don't overstay their welcome, then sure, fire it up. It’s a B-western through and through. If you need complex character arcs or modern pacing, keep walking. You’ll probably hate how predictable the whole thing feels.

There is something comforting about a movie like Silver Spurs. It doesn't ask much of you. You watch Buck Jones look tough, you watch the bad guys act like absolute cartoon villains, and eventually, everyone gets what's coming to them. It’s like comfort food, but with more spurs.

I found myself staring at the background extras more than the actual leads. There’s a guy in the saloon scene who just stands there holding a glass for what feels like five minutes. He never drinks. He never turns around. He just exists in a permanent state of waiting for the director to yell cut. It’s strangely hypnotic.

The plot is about as thin as a piece of parchment paper. Janet sees a robbery, identifies the guy, and then—shocker—the sheriff is in on it. It’s the kind of town where you wonder how anyone gets their mail delivered without being held at gunpoint. The way the movie handles the kidnapping is just so… matter-of-fact. Janet gets snatched, and suddenly we are off to the races.

Speaking of the horse, Silver is probably the best actor in the bunch. There’s a moment where the horse stares directly into the camera while Buck is talking, and I swear the animal looks bored. I felt that, honestly.

It’s not quite as charming as The Ridin' Rowdy, which had a bit more snap to the dialogue. This one feels a bit more tired, like the crew was just ready to go home and eat dinner. Still, it’s not as hollow as some of the stuff from that era, like The Temple of Venus, which tried way too hard to be fancy.

• The sheriff’s fake mustache is hanging on by a thread for most of the movie.
• Gabby Hayes is there, obviously, bringing the only real energy to the room.
• The hideout scene is just a cave that looks suspiciously like a studio set with a single lightbulb.
• Watching a guy try to look intimidating while wearing a hat that’s clearly two sizes too big is a highlight.

It’s a movie that hits its marks, punches the clock, and disappears into the sunset. No profound lessons here. Just a guy on a horse, a damsel in distress, and a lot of dust. Sometimes that's exactly what you need on a rainy Tuesday.