Whispering Smith

Alan Ladd inherits William S. Hart's splits in Whispering Smith for wild and woolly stint typical of hoss oprys of the good old days.

As a rootin', tootin' Western, this formula-made Whispering Smith is good make-believe entertainment for those who will take it as such.

When one sees such conscientious technical work implementing a thoughtful production and thoroughly fine performances one is made vividly aware of how fine a simple entertainment picture can be.

The film is briskly handled by journeyman director Leslie Fenton, who brings the story to a rousing, shooting tooting climax.

It is all frightfully sad, but not, somehow, frightfully important, and though the tall hills of Wyoming give a certain pleasure to the eye, the ear is profoundly wounded by the banal dialogue.

Remains lightly entertaining throughout.