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When the Daltons Rode

Name: When the Daltons Rode
Genre: Western
Released: 1940-08-23
Cast: Randolph Scott, Kay Francis, Brian Donlevy, George Bancroft, Broderick Crawford

1940 | 81 min | Western

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Great for anyone with a complicated family (so, everyone) and western fans. Family ties get tested in ways that ring true.
The mood: Easygoing.
The pace: Well paced, at 1 hr 21 min. Done before bedtime.
What might put you off: Made in 1940: an older pace and style.

Young lawyer Tod Jackson arrives in pioneer Kansas to visit his prosperous rancher friends the Daltons, just as the latter are in danger of losing their land to a crooked development company. When Tod tries to help them, a faked murder charge turns the Daltons into outlaws, but more victims than villains in this fictionalized version. Will Tod stay loyal to his friends despite falling in love with Bob Dalton's former fiancée Julie?

How it earned its rating

CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 5K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by George Marshall

Randolph ScottTod Jackson
Kay FrancisJulie King
Brian DonlevyGrat Dalton
George BancroftCaleb Winters
Broderick CrawfordBob Dalton
Stuart ErwinBen Dalton
Andy DevineOzark
Frank AlbertsonEmmett Dalton
Mary GordonMa Dalton
Harvey StephensRigby