Wonderful character development!

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

Tom Mix brings a lot of the Mix persona to this picture, which is at once a tough no holds barred old west yarn, and with real tears and good humor sprinkled in until Tom and the party with him are stranded in Death Valley. Then it turns tough as nails and the drama is cutting, using Mix's silent film expressions to it's best use. His face is much more full of expression and the minimal dialog is perfect. He IS an actor, not just a cowboy star, famous or otherwise. Fred Kohler is the perfect bad man in the desert, much like his role in "Hell's Heros" (1930) with Charles Bickford, but without the heroic self sacrifice. This could have been a graphic, much more violent film, but owing to the Mix following (children) it isn't, to it's credit. Tony, the horse is the improbable hero of this picture and we are cheering him at the end to. It's a keeper. Glad I bought it fully restored.

A top-notch early western. A gold rush hits a western town, now booming - and soon cowboy Tom Mix arrives on his wonderful horse Tony. When a man is murdered for his gold mine at the hands of two bad men - Tom takes charge of the dead man's now orphaned little girl (Edith Fellows) and she's soon all dolled up in a fancy dress and telling him how much she enjoys being "washed and dressed" by him - then Tom proceeds to tell her "remember, that's our little secret" (okay, what's that all about?! - I believe these lines didn't have the intention or meaning they seem to have today, but this caused a big reaction from the audience at a live screening at Cinecon 43 in Hollywood). Well, the child's young, attractive aunt (Lois Wilson) arrives in town to take over and and is none too happy to find the little girl in a saloon ("mixed drinks - 2 bits") at the bar, alongside a beer-drinking saloon gal (Mae Busch in much too small a part). The dead father has left a map to his gold mine (intended for his family), which the two bad men have got ahold of. But smart Tom gets it and divides the map into three pieces, one for each of them. They trek out into the Death Valley desert to find the mine - but a wagon accident leaves the three men, plus the aunt, stranded in the blazing hot desert with close to no water. Of course, while Tom and the woman are "strong and brave", the two bad men keep trying to steal water - the only one who can really help them out is Tony the horse, sent back out across the desert to the rescue!A riveting, gripping, suspenseful film that really held my interest, especially memorable are the later scenes in the desert - the extreme thirst, the debilitating heat, the parched throats, the madness, all expertly and realistically brought to life. Tom Mix is an engaging star who gives a nice performance here, young Edith Fellows is an adorable child, but I must say, it is really Tony the horse who completely steals this film - what a neat horse, and he's the real hero here too! A very entertaining watch.

I agree with the comments of the person from Arkansas. I saw the movie on television during the late fifties and I have never really forgotten it. I was only 14 years old at the time and a Gene Autry fan but seeing both Tom Mix and the film The Rider of Death Valley made an immense impression on me. I can understand how Tom Mix can truly claim the title as the real King of the Cowboys. I will never forget the scenes in Death Valley and during a recent visit to the Lone Pine California area I made a point to visit the outer areas of Death Valley all because of my memories of this great film. Truly a gritty, austere film well worth seeing. I only wish the powers to be at Universal would restore the film and release it again.

I saw this movie back in the 60`s before this movie went into the vaults not to be seen again.Everything in this movie looked real especially the runaway stage coach full of supplies as I remember.Also, the suffering in the desert by all the main characters including the girl without water looked real.As the movie went on I thought they would all die.Of all the westerns and the serials I have seen-this movie probably had the most suffering.Like the serials especially of the 1930`s,this movie had an unusual texture that you won`t forget.