Westward Ho

Westward Ho

Year: 1935

Runtime: 61 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert N. Bradbury

HistoryWestern

John Wyatt’s parents are killed and his brother Jim kidnapped by Ballard’s trail‑jumpers during a wagon‑train raid. Twelve years later he leads the white‑horse vigilante group the Singing Riders, hunting outlaws and the gang that murdered his family. Jim, now in Ballard’s gang, also falls for Mary Gordon, leading to a tense reunion.

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Timeline & Setting – Westward Ho (1935)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Westward Ho (1935). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century

Set in the late 19th-century American frontier, the narrative blends cattle drives, outlaw gangs, and vigilante justice. Communities rely on rough, self-appointed lawmen rather than formal authorities. The era's scarcity of formal law heightens personal vendettas and brave acts in the pursuit of family protection and property.

Location

American Old West frontier town and surrounding cattle ranches, canyon outskirts

The story unfolds across a rugged frontier town and the surrounding ranch lands of the American West. The action shifts from dusty streets to a remote canyon where outlaws lure a trap. The setting emphasizes cattle drives, saloon-era tensions, and the harsh loyalties of a lawless community.

🏜️ Frontier Town 🐂 Cattle Ranch 🏞️ Canyon

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:22

Main Characters – Westward Ho (1935)

Meet the key characters of Westward Ho (1935), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

John Wyatt - John Wayne

A determined cattleman turned vigilante leader, John is driven by a need for justice and family protection. He unites a posse of cowboys to hunt Ballard and restore order, yet he must balance restraint with decisive action. His resolve fractures under the weight of personal losses and the risky moral choices of vigilante justice.

🏇 Vigilante Leader 🌀 Family Protector 🗺️ Frontier Hero

Jim Wyatt - Frank McGlynn Jr.

Jim is the cunning brother who infiltrates the family under the alias 'Allen' to supply Ballard with information. His deception sustains Ballard's schemes while he searches for a way to aid his brother. In a pivotal turn, he warns John of a trap and ultimately dies helping his brother escape.

🕵️ Infiltrator 💔 Betrayal 🗡️ Sacrifice

Ballard - Jack Curtis

Ballard is the ruthless outlaw leader who murders John and Jim's parents, kidnaps Jim, and schemes to steal cattle and gold. He relies on fear and deceit to control his gang and to manipulate others, including the young Mary Gordon, to achieve his aims.

⚔️ Villain 🐎 Gang Leader 🧭 Manipulator

Mary Gordon - Sheila Bromley

Mary is the sassy and resilient daughter of a cattle-herding family who catches John’s eye. She navigates a tense, dangerous environment, overhears Ballard's plans, and becomes a key ally and love interest amid the escalating conflict.

💃 Love Interest 📣 Courageous 🧭 Town Voice

Ma Wyatt - Mary MacLaren

Ma Wyatt is the matriarch of John and Jim and a symbol of the family's precarious survival. Her death early in the story underscores the personal toll of violence on the frontier and motivates John’s pursuit of justice.

👩‍👦 Family Matriarch 🕯️ Sacrifice 🏚️ Frontier Survivor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:22

Major Themes – Westward Ho (1935)

Explore the central themes of Westward Ho (1935), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice

John Wyatt builds and leads a vigilante group to reclaim justice after his parents are murdered and his brother abducted. The film examines the cost of taking the law into one's own hands and whether ruthless action can restore order without descending into lawlessness. Justice here is personal as much as communal, and it evolves with each confrontation.

👪 Family

Family ties drive the plot: two brothers are linked by vengeance, loyalty, and tragedy. Jim infiltrates the family he now claims to protect, blurring loyalty with deception, while John aims to shield Mary and the others who rely on his protection. The brothers' fates become a test of whether family bonds justify dangerous risks.

🕵️ Deception

Jim Wyatt pretends to be a loyal ally while feeding Ballard information, illustrating how deceit can fuel violence and fracture trust. Ballard's manipulation extends to kidnapping and orchestrating crises to draw John away from the town. The eventual revelation of true identities reframes the conflict and heightens the moral stakes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:22

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Westward Ho Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Westward Ho, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Westward Ho Summary

Westward Ho Timeline

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Westward Ho Timeline

More About Westward Ho

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