Ranger Firebrand Ken Kenton is given a gubernatorial commission to track down a murderous gang known only as the “Black Death,” which seems to follow a particular circus. Ken joins the circus, to which he formerly belonged, and is greeted by his former friends, including the circus owner’s daugher, Mary Hiller. Ken immediately earns an enemy in star performer Bargoff when he steals his spotlight with his bucking bronco act, and soon after, Bargoff convinces the knife-thrower to kill Ken. Ken escapes the blade, but during a parade later, a bank cashier is killed and robbed, and the murder is credited to the Black Death. Ken and fellow ranger Saunders plan a search of all circus belongings, but first Ken is scheduled to perform. During Ken’s act, Bargoff robs the box office and kidnaps Mary. Despite an injury when he is thrown from his horse, Ken makes his search and discovers evidence among Bargoff’s things. Unfortunately, Bargoff has already crossed the border in a plane, and sends Ken a note to arrange a rendezvous at Alta Madera, where Ken searches for “Mr. Smith,” with whom Bargoff had been communicating. Ken is joined by Baron Petroff, a Russian who leads him to Bargoff and imprisons Ken. Petroff then reveals that he is both Mr. Smith and the leader of the Black Death. With the help of his horse, Tarzan, Ken escapes his prison and joins a posse made of circus people, who overcome the Black Death gang and continue their mission to Petroff’s, where Mary is being held. Ken rescues Mary, recovers the stolen money and puts the outlaws out of commission, after which he and Mary talk about their future together. More on Wikipedia or Mubi
Watch King of the Arena (1933)
