The Painted Desert
“BLAZING ACTION”
Synopsis
Western pardners Jeff and Cash find a baby boy in an otherwise deserted emigrants' camp, and clash over which is to be "father." They are still bitterly feuding years later when they own adjacent ranches. Bill, the foundling whom Cash has raised to young manhood, wants to end the feud and extends an olive branch toward Jeff, who now has a lovely daughter. But during a mining venture, the bitterness escalates. Is Bill to be set against his own adoptive father?
Top Cast
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William Boyd
Bill Holbrook
Helen Twelvetrees
Mary Ellen Cameron
William Farnum
Cash Holbrook
J. Farrell MacDonald
Jeff Cameron
Clark Gable
Rance Brett
Charles Sellon
Tonopah
Wade Boteler
Bob Carson
Will Walling
Kirby
Hugh Adams
Dynamite
Edmund Breese
Judge Matthews
Edward Hearn
Tex (as Guy Edward Hearn)
William Le Maire
Denver (as William LeMaire)
Richard Cramer
Provney
W.F. Wallace
Extra
Clem Beauchamp
Miner
George Burton
Santa Fe
Cy Clegg
Miner
Edgar Dearing
Buck's Partner
Release History & Theatrical Window
March 7, 1931
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Howard Higgin
- Screenplay & Story
- Tom Buckingham, Howard Higgin
- Original Title
- The Painted Desert
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 19m
- Production Studios
- Pathé Exchange
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Howard Higgin
Tom Buckingham, Howard Higgin
Edward Snyder
Clarence Kolster
E.B. Derr
Department Leadership Roster
Gwen Wakeling
Costume Design
E.B. Derr
Producer
Clarence Kolster
Editor
Howard Higgin
Director
Edward Snyder
Director of Photography
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Painted Desert.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Painted Desert.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Painted Desert
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Painted Desert about?
Western pardners Jeff and Cash find a baby boy in an otherwise deserted emigrants' camp, and clash over which is to be "father." They are still bitterly feuding years later when they own adjacent ranches. Bill, the foundling whom Cash has raised to young manhood, wants to end the feud and extends an olive branch toward Jeff, who now has a lovely daughter. But during a mining venture, the bitterness escalates. Is Bill to be set against his own adoptive father?
Who directed The Painted Desert?
The Painted Desert was directed by Howard Higgin.
Who stars in The Painted Desert?
The principal cast of The Painted Desert includes William Boyd, Helen Twelvetrees, William Farnum, J. Farrell MacDonald, Clark Gable.
When was The Painted Desert released and how long is it?
The Painted Desert was released in 1931 with a total runtime of 1h 19m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Painted Desert?
The Painted Desert holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).