(1934)
1
Hans J. Wollstein
It always comes as a bit of a surprise for modern audiences when George Hayes is cast as a dyed-in-the-wool villain, as he is in The Brand of Hate as well as several John Wayne oaters from the same era. Although often playing vicious killers in his early years (Wayne's fine Randy Rides Alone, also from 1934, readily comes to mind), Hayes' later comedy relief characters are so wonderfully drawn that it is difficult to take him in a serious role. Here, he is irredeemable, however, especially after attempting to railroad his own brother, and doubly so because said brother is played by veteran silent screen star William Farnum, who would spend the latter part of his career playing kindly westerners in B-movies like The Brand of Hate.
Brand of Hate on AllMovie
Brand of Hate (1934)