JohnHowardReid Director: ALAN JAMES. Screenplay: Earle Snell, Ken Maynard. Story: Claude Rister. Photography: Ted McCord. Art director: Dave Berg. Art director: Ralph M. DeLacy. Set decorator: Eddie Boyle. Costumes: Elizabeth Coleman. Music director: Val Burton. Associate producer: Irving Starr. Producer:Ken Maynard. Executive producers: Burt Kelly, Sam Bischoff, William Saal. A KBS Production, filmed at California Tiffany Studios and on locations in Red Rock Canyon in the Mojave Desert. Presented by E. W. Hammons. RCA Sound System.Copyright 25 December 1932 by K.B.S. Productions, Inc. Released through World Wide Pictures. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 25 December 1932. U.K. release: 24 March 1934. 62 minutes. SYNOPSIS: The Phantom is a mysterious killer who is bush-whacking anyone with allegiances to the Lazy S Ranch. A stranger is accused, but with the help of a girl he has befriended and her father (the owner of a neighboring ranch), he manages to track down the true culprit.COMMENT: Wonderful atmosphere, a strong, fast-paced story, great photography, vigorous direction and a fascinating cast — Maynard himself, Cecilia Parker, Bob Burns, George Chesebro, Lafe McKee, Sheldon Lewis, and not to forget "Tarzan" — combine to make this entry a stand-out even among the normally superlatively entertaining output of the Ken Maynard unit.Happily, the print under review, whilst slightly track-marked, does full justice to the breathtaking cinematography of Ted McCord. Many other commentators, were likewise impressed by this entry, but let me just say that Ken Maynard is my favorite western hero and that "Tombstone Canyon" is one of his very best films. But even if you don't like Maynard, this one is an absolute "must" for any collection of classic westerns.

valis666 The plot is set in motion from the time the studio logo disappears from the screen and nary a second is wasted on anything but advancing the plot over the film's sixty minutes. No atmosphere, no characterization; all action, almost like a TV episode. The story concerns one man's search for his unknown identity and the apparent ranch war he walks into on his quest. There are some quaint old timey quirks like every horse ride and fist fight running in double speed, and the word "fellas" is used a good thirty times, but even someone like myself who wasn't born until forty years after this picture was made found it to be consistently entertaining.

John W Chance Although many Ken Maynard features are noted for their lack of believability in the story telling, there was something about his on screen presence that makes us watch him -- he just comes off as the 'real thing.' You could see it in the way he would instinctively pat or interact with his horse(!!) and delivering such dialog to the heroine as, "Miss Jenny, you spill a kinda mean loop yourself. You've got me just as good as throwed and hog tied already." To which Jenny replies, "That makes me awfully happy, Ken." Woo! they don't make movies like this any more!This one is thoroughly enjoyable and has a touch of mysterious creepiness. "The Phantom," dressed all in black with a bat-like cape, inhabits Tombstone Canyon, where he picks off with a shotgun various hands of the Lazy S ranch. Ken shows up there on his way to find out the identity of his father, but gets involved with Jenny Lee (Cecelia Parker) at her father's ranch branding and 'dehorning' cattle. For more of Cecelia before her Andy Hardy movies, check out the serial "The Lost Jungle" (1934) and the John Wayne "Riders of Destiny" (1933).The Western elements all build quickly; in fact, it begins with Ken being ambushed in the Canyon by an unknown gang. Then we swiftly get fist fights, the romance ("Let's go get the ring!"), Ken being framed and jailed for murder, and shoot outs in Tombstone Canyon. There's one too many visits to Tombstone Canyon, and the final hunt down for Ken there goes too slowly. But then we have a great action finale with 'The Phantom,' Alf Sykes, his son and Ken all fighting or hanging off the highest cliff while Jenny and her father's men speed to the rescue with Ken's horse 'Tarzan.'A good 1930s western, mainly because of Ken Maynard.

Steve Haynie Within the context of a B western, Tombstone Canyon is close to perfect. Yes, it looks a lot like every other cheap western of its time, but the early 1930's were a great time for westerns. Ken Maynard never falters for the entire run time of this movie.As the movie starts we are introduced to the place known as Tombstone Canyon. Ken rides in to find himself unwelcome and the desired target of many ill-intended shots. Between the gang of bad guys and the mysterious phantom Ken has his hands full, but fortunately Jenny Lee happens to be riding through and fires a few helpful shots of her own. It is then that Ken learns more about Tombstone Canyon and the mysterious screaming phantom who kills as many of the Lazy S cowboys as possible. The phantom is not Ken's worry, however. He has traveled to meet a friend who has a secret to reveal, but by the time Ken arrives he finds out that his friend is murdered. Alf Sykes, owner of the Lazy S does not want Ken to learn anything, so he does everything he can to destroy Ken. The phantom also confronts Ken and threatens him. It is only at the end that Ken learns the secret someone wanted him to know, and the phantom's identity is revealed.Even if the plot was done hundreds of times over the years, it was done right in this 1932 movie. Most of the credit must go to Ken Maynard for making Tombstone Canyon so much fun to watch. His on screen personality was at its most captivating. Few western heroes looked as good and had the ability to act as well as Ken Maynard.