by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Previous filmed three times (most recently in 1930), the 1940 Paramount production Light of Western Stars was the latest in the studio's "Zane Grey" series. Victor Jory earns a rare top-billing slot as Gene Stewart, a hard-drinking Westerner who is reformed through the love of Boston debutante Majesty Hammond (Jo Ann Sayers). Along the way, he tries to help Majesty prevent the marriage of her headstrong brother Alfred (Russell Hayden) to the blowzy Flo Kingsley (Ruth Rogers). Noah Beery Jr. offers an unusual characterization as Stewart's Mexican (!) sidekick, while veteran Western hero Tom Tyler essays a meaty character role as a small-town sheriff. Also on hand in a teeny-tiny role is Alan Ladd, on the verge of bigger and better things.
