The Oklahoma Cyclone (1930)
Directed by John P. McCarthy and released by Tiffany Pictures, The Oklahoma Cyclone is a pre-Code Western that helped lay the groundwork for the singing cowboy subgenre. It stars Bob Steele in his second talking picture, showcasing not only his rugged charm but also his vocal talents—a novelty for Westerns at the time.
Plot Summary
Young cowboy Jimmy Henderson (Bob Steele) goes undercover as an outlaw named Jim Smith to infiltrate the gang responsible for his father’s murder. As he earns the trust of the gang, including the villainous Black Diablo (Charles King), Jimmy navigates a dangerous world of deception, loyalty, and revenge. Along the way, he falls for Carmelita Carlos (Rita Rey), adding romantic tension to the dusty drama.
Cast Highlights
- Bob Steele as Jimmy Henderson / Jim Smith
- Rita Rey as Carmelita Carlos
- Al St. John as Slim (comic relief and singer of “The Lavender Cowboy”)
- Charles King as McKim / Black Diablo
- Slim Whitaker, Cliff Lyons, and Hector Sarno in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- The film is considered a forerunner of the singing cowboy genre, predating Gene Autry’s rise to fame
- Al St. John performs the humorous song “The Lavender Cowboy”, adding musical interludes to the otherwise gritty plot
- Actress Rita Rey was reportedly only 13 years old at the time of filming, based on her birthdate of May 22, 1917
- The film was remade as Song of the Gringo in 1936, starring Tex Ritter
- It received early television broadcasts in Buffalo (1948) and New York City (1948), making it one of the first Westerns to appear on TV
