Copyright 10 August 1942 by Republic Pictures Corp. No New York opening. U.S. release: 17 August 1942. U.K. release through British Lion. Australian release through British Empire Films: 8 April 1943. 7 reels. 6,700 feet. 74 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Packing company agent attempts to defraud ranchers.
NOTES: 55th of Autry's 93 movies.
COMMENT: A crooked packing company employee tries to swindle ranchers in order to make good his gambling debts. The president of the packing company arrives on the scene to hear a ranch-type radio program and tries to assist ranchers who are unaware of his true identity. So far as action is concerned, this plot outline sounds none too promising. But, aside from the songs — and two of these are in immediate proximity to the credits — the movie is pretty much action all the way. Two splendid chases (one after a runaway buckboard, the other after a runaway train) are both filmed with considerable impact, thanks to running inserts and thrilling stunt-work.
True, the excitement of the first is somewhat undermined by dull process inserts of the studio players, but I'm afraid this is standard Hollywood practice, even for "A" features. All this action puts Burnette in the shade too. Except in the opening sequences, he has little of his usual foolery.
Autry is at his charismatic best, Ruth Terry makes a vivacious heroine, Thurston Hall has a characteristic role, and it's nice to see Marc Lawrence as the villain's chief henchman.
Production values seem lavish. I couldn't spot any stock footage, yet the locations are attractive, complete with lots of cattle and extra players. The featured cast is extensive too, whilst frequent changes of scene add to the agreeably fast pace. In all, Republic have given this one really loving treatment.
The Sons of the Pioneers provide backing for Autry's near-credit- title songs. As in Starrett's westerns, they are ostensibly employed as the hero's cowpunchers, but they figure much less in the action here, though they do spend a fair amount of time hovering around in the background.
SYNOPSIS: Packing company agent attempts to defraud ranchers.
NOTES: 55th of Autry's 93 movies.
COMMENT: A crooked packing company employee tries to swindle ranchers in order to make good his gambling debts. The president of the packing company arrives on the scene to hear a ranch-type radio program and tries to assist ranchers who are unaware of his true identity. So far as action is concerned, this plot outline sounds none too promising. But, aside from the songs — and two of these are in immediate proximity to the credits — the movie is pretty much action all the way. Two splendid chases (one after a runaway buckboard, the other after a runaway train) are both filmed with considerable impact, thanks to running inserts and thrilling stunt-work.
True, the excitement of the first is somewhat undermined by dull process inserts of the studio players, but I'm afraid this is standard Hollywood practice, even for "A" features. All this action puts Burnette in the shade too. Except in the opening sequences, he has little of his usual foolery.
Autry is at his charismatic best, Ruth Terry makes a vivacious heroine, Thurston Hall has a characteristic role, and it's nice to see Marc Lawrence as the villain's chief henchman.
Production values seem lavish. I couldn't spot any stock footage, yet the locations are attractive, complete with lots of cattle and extra players. The featured cast is extensive too, whilst frequent changes of scene add to the agreeably fast pace. In all, Republic have given this one really loving treatment.
The Sons of the Pioneers provide backing for Autry's near-credit- title songs. As in Starrett's westerns, they are ostensibly employed as the hero's cowpunchers, but they figure much less in the action here, though they do spend a fair amount of time hovering around in the background.