Blue Steel is a 1934 pre-Code Monogram Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring John Wayne. Wayne plays a U.S. Marshal who is trying to capture the Polka Dot Bandit, who has taken off with $4,000. The film also featured Yakima Canutt and Gabby Hayes. It was released as Stolen Goods in the UK, and this version was later released in a colorized version on home video.

Plot
Wayne plays John Carruthers, an undercover US Marshal, but that is not disclosed until well into the film. He appears to be in town investigating a string of robberies committed by the Polka Dot Bandit (Yakima Canutt), but when he is a little late in discovering one of the Bandit’s latest thefts, Sheriff Jake (George “Gabby” Hayes) thinks he is the thief. For some reason, instead of arresting him, Jake accompanies him on his journey; after all, as Wayne says, “It’s kind of lonesome trailing alone.”

The two stumble upon a gang robbing a pack-mule train; they rescue Betty Mason (Eleanor Hunt), whose father has just been killed by the bandits. She and her father were bringing desperately needed provisions to town, but the bandits have successfully cut off any supplies, forcing the townspeople to consider fleeing their homes or starving to death.

It turns out that the local rich man, with the meaningful name of Malgrove (Edward Peil Sr.), is behind the robberies. He knows there’s a vein of gold underneath the homesteaders’ property, and he offers out of the kindness of his heart to purchase their land for a pittance. B-movie bad guys have a tendency to crow about their evil plans without checking to see if anyone is hiding nearby, and when the grieving Betty overhears his plans, Malgrove and his henchmen kidnap her. Carruthers and Jake offer to make one last attempt to bring supplies in, and Malgrove and his henchmen make plans to murder them.

Cast
John Wayne as John Carruthers
Eleanor Hunt as Betty Mason
George “Gabby” Hayes as Sheriff Jake Withers
Edward Peil as Malgrove
Yakima Canutt as Danti, the Polka Dot Bandit
Lafe McKee as Dan Mason
George Cleveland as Hank, innkeeper
Earl Dwire as Henchman
Chris Allen as Townsman
Silver Tip Baker as Townsman
Barney Beasley as Townsman
Hank Bell as Stage Driver with Payroll
Ralph Bucko as Townsman
Horace B. Carpenter as Townsman
Lane Chandler as Townsman
Jack Evans as Townsman
Herman Hack as Henchman
Henry Hall as Townsman
Theodore Lorch as Townsman
Bud McClure as Townsman
Art Mix as Townsman
Perry Murdock as Henchman
George Nash as The Bridegroom
Herman Nowlin as Townsman
Artie Ortego as Henchman
Tex Phelps as Henchman