The New Frontier

John Wayne's transition from his roughhew western vehicles at Monogram and his slicker, smoother shoot-em-ups at Republic was gradual, with Wayne's second Republic release, The New Frontier, a decided step in the right direction. Wayne plays former sheriff John Dawson, trail boss for a wagon train heading westward. Dawson also spends a good amount of time searching for his father's murderer, who of course turns out to be one of the wagon travellers. Muriel Evans, until recently the leading lady in Charley Chase's 2-reelers at Hal Roach, is the winsome heroine. John Wayne later appeared in another Republic production titled New Frontier, not a remake but instead a 1939 entry in the Three Mesquiteers series.