The Painted Desert (1931): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1931, The Painted Desert is a western film directed by Howard Higgin, running about 79 minutes. “BLAZING ACTION” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s 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’s in it. The Painted Desert stars William Boyd as Bill Holbrook, Helen Twelvetrees as Mary Ellen Cameron, William Farnum as Cash Holbrook and J. Farrell MacDonald as Jeff Cameron, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, The Painted Desert has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel and Philo and rent or buy it from Fandango At Home and FlixFling. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Painted Desert page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Painted Desert tend to enjoy The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Django Unchained, Once Upon a Time in the West and For a Few Dollars More.