Ken “Hell-Fire” Austin got his nickname in the cavalry because of the gung ho way he rides horses and approaches life. When Bouncer, a dimwitted mug, unintentionally insults him, they both wind up in the hospital after their fight and become buddies. Upon their release, Bouncer returns to the West with Ken, who tries to live off of his reputation as a rodeo rider. People are indifferent to his return, however, and they both are arrested for leaving a restaurant without paying and given sixty days labor on a chain gang. While doing roadwork, Ken and Bouncer meet Judy Brooks and her uncle, and her horse Tarzan, reputed to be the fastest horse in the county. She plans on entering Tarzan in the cross-country sweepstakes to win the $25,000 prize. Rancher Mark Edmunds hires Ken and Bouncer from the chain gang so Ken will ride his horse in the sweepstakes. Ken quits after he overhears Edmunds discuss with Judy’s trainer, who is actually in his employ, his plans to win the race with Tarzan. Edmunds intends to call in the loan Judy made with him, and use Tarzan as collateral. Despite the fact that they are still under arrest, Ken and Bouncer get Edmunds’ trainer out of the way and go to work for Judy, much to her delight. Judy’s attorney Hicks warns her about Edmunds’ plot and helps her hide, while Ken and Bouncer take Tarzan into hiding. They keep the horse in a hotel, but tired of hiding, Bouncer makes a deal with the sheriff to serve a 120 days sentence, thereby relieving Ken of his sentence. After the sheriff accepts, Bouncer is ambushed by Edmunds’ men and severely beaten. He manages to return to the hotel where he collapses, and Ken leaves him under a doctor’s supervision. Despite sabotage by Edmunds’ men, Ken wins the race and the love of Judy, and Bouncer fully recovers. More on Wikipedia
Watch Hell Fire Austin (1932)
