 | Unkempt, rough and tough looking members of the gang or lynch mob, or vigilantes, or posse riders or cow herders. They had minimal or no dialog, not much screen time, and were generally not listed in the film credits. Some would show up as a face in the crowd, portraying townspeople, barflys, deputies, wagon drivers, ranch hands, etc. We tend to recognize some of their faces, but have no clue as to their real names. |
 (Courtesy of Les Adams) In the above still and crop/blowups, Ken Maynard is prone among an entire regiment of henchies in THE FIDDLIN' BUCKAROO (Universal, 1933). From L-to-R are Slim Whitaker, Bud McClure, Frank Ellis (face in shadows), Roy Bucko, Hank Bell (with Maynard's pearl handled six-shooter in his belt), Jack Kirk (face in shadows), unidentified player (tall hat), Fred Kohler and Buck Bucko.  (Courtesy of Dorothy Hack) Above from left to right are Archie Ricks, Herman Hack, Kit Guard and Bob Steele in a scene from Steele's KID COURAGEOUS (A. W. Hackel/Supreme, 1934).  (Courtesy of Ed Tabor) Above from L-to-R are Roy Bucko, Al Bridge, Marion Weldon, Art Mix (George Kesterson) and Blackie Whiteford in a scene from DODGE CITY TRAIL (Columbia, 1936), which starred Charles Starrett.  (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R are Tex Palmer, Oscar Gahan, Merrill McCormick, Charlie King and Denver Dixon in a scene from the Tex Ritter WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM (Monogram, 1938) . |
The antagonists in the ol' B western generally consisted of:
Definition of henchman, "henchie":
In other words, these are NOT the western and serial performers that we immediately recognize like Roy Barcroft or Harry Woods or Lafe McKee or Tom London or George Chesebro or Charlie King. The Barcrofts, McKees, Chesebros, Kings and many others wound up with meatier roles, often had dialog, and in many cases, their names appeared in the opening or closing credits. Those folks are profiled in The "Villains & Supporting Players" section on the Old Corral.
The "Henchies" is dedicated to the performers whom we've seen a hundred times but mentally think What's his name ???
