Short Look at a Long Ride: Film #210 - Pony Express Days (1940)
Viewed July 29, 2006
Pony Express Days tells the tale of the brief lifespan of the Pony Express. George Reeves plays Bill Cody and much of the focus of the short is on his desire to ride for the Express. Things come to a head when secession talk in California leads to a desperate drive to get news of Lincoln’s election to the coast and prevent the fateful vote from succeeding.
I cannot speak to the historical accuracy of Pony Express Days. It seems clear that Cody did, in fact, work for the Pony Express in some capacity, but as to whether he rode at all or whether the Express was pivotal in California staying out of the Confederacy is less clear. But there’s nothing in Pony Express Days that strays too far out of the normal dramatic license taken when making a film about a historic event. There’s certainly nothing that seems impossible or unlikely.
The cast is likable, with Reeves showing the same charm that won him legions of fans as Superman years later. The rest of the cast is made up of mostly seasoned stock contract players and they make the most of their somewhat limited parts.
Pony Express Days can be found on the DVD set for the first season of Adventures of Superman and if you’ve bought that set, I highly recommend that you don’t skip it. Otherwise, while an entertaining film, there’s nothing here to justify going to any kinds of length to seek it out.