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A 59-minute guilt trip with horses, lies, and a body count that isn't even his.
TMDB
58
IMDb
56

Bullet Code (1940)

B-movie Westernmoral panic cinemasmall-town conspiracy

Overview

Western

Protecting himself in an attack by rustlers, Rancher Steve Holden believes he has killed one of the attackers, young Bud Mathews, who in reality has warned Holden of the rustlers' approach. Unaware that Mathews was actually killed by rustler boss Cass Barton, Holden heads out to Mathews' home town where he plans to tell the boy's family of his death but instead uncovers a plan by a local businessman to force Mathews' father out of his ranch.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
ranchcattlerustler

Standout Aspects

Acting

George O'Brien's jawline carries the entire emotional load.

Production

Shot in six days and it shows—in the best way.

Writing

Surprisingly twisty for something barely longer than an episode of TV.

Best for:Solo: Perfect for a rainy afternoon when you want zero commitment.·Background: You can fold laundry and still follow the plot.·Rewatch: Spot which actors are clearly reading cue cards.
Heads up:Violence: Classic Western shootouts, nothing graphic by modern standards.·Emotional: Dead son, grieving parents, the whole dusty tragedy.
D

Director

David Howard

ReleasedApr 12, 1940
Runtime59m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelmedium
RKO Radio Pictures

Top Cast

George O'Brien

George O'Brien

Steve Holden

Virginia Vale

Virginia Vale

Molly Matthews

Slim Whitaker

Slim Whitaker

Pop Norton

Howard Hickman

Howard Hickman

John Matthews

Harry Woods

Harry Woods

Cass Barton

William Haade

William Haade

Scar

Walter Miller

Walter Miller

Sam Gorman

Kirby Grant

Kirby Grant

Bud Matthews

Spade Cooley

Spade Cooley

Fiddler (uncredited)

Billy Franey

Billy Franey

Old Bathing Gent (uncredited)

Cactus Mack

Cactus Mack

Quitting Ranch Hand (uncredited)

Ask about Bullet Code

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

George O'Brien was a WWI Marine veteran who became John Ford's go-to Western lead before John Wayne took over.

Cultural

Released during Hollywood's 'B-Western factory' era when studios churned out 50+ oaters yearly for rural theaters.

Gallery

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