Shortly after Gene Autry returned to the world of Western film-making following his wartime service, he left Republic Pictures, moving with his production company to Columbia where he enjoyed the greater fiscal capabilities of the larger studio, as can plainly be observed in this well-made melodrama that is marked by strong contributions from all involved, and that offers a storyline having precedence over Autry's former bedrock singing scenes, of which there are but two examples in this piece. Gene plays a double role, incorporating flashbacks as his sheriff father Steve who, 20 years prior, had arrested a trio of stagecoach bandits that are now prison escapees and have returned to their former hunting grounds, in the area where Gene owns a spread, to regain their secreted loot, and before this briskly-paced film has come to its closing, we may enjoy a scenario featuring an exciting stage coach race, a ghost ( naturally residing in a ghost town), a rampaging herd of wild horses, excellent stunt work, a romance (for which a homely schoolteacher abruptly blossoms), along with gunplay and superb horsemanship. The original story penned by Joseph Chadwick and published in the long-running pulp magazine "Western Aces" is adapted to a script by John K. Butler that improves upon it, adding elements that match the skills of those involved, including director John English who further tightens the work, cinematographer William Bradford, notable cameraman of equine fare, editor Aaron Stell (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD) who works closely with English, George Montgomery, whose designs are moodily effective for the ghost town interiors, Russell Malmgren with noteworthy sound mixing, in addition to the duo of Paul Malcolm (makeup) and Beth Langston (coiffeurs) who successfully bring about a metamorphosis of Ruth (Nan Leslie) from a plain, lovelorn spinster into an actual beauty; Leslie is impressive, as are future cinema Tarzan Jock Mahoney and rugged Walter Sande as hold-up men, and there are fine turns from old hands Thurston Hall, Alan Hale Jr., Clem Bevans, John McKee, Francis McDonald and Denver Pyle, while Champion Jr. must not be ignored, the Tennessee Walker's actions being fundamental to plot development.
11 Reviews
Ghost Who Hosts
bkoganbing5 September 2010
Rim Of The Canyon finds Gene Autry without a sidekick, usually a necessary character in the B western. But the film does make up for the lack of a Smiley Burnette or a Pat Buttram in it with a somewhat unusual story about a ghost town and a ghost.
Gene Autry comes to town to drive in a stagecoach race and learns of the escape of three convicts from prison, Walter Sande, Jock Mahoney, and Francis McDonald. Sande is someone that Gene's father, Marshal Steve Autry sent to prison for a $30,000.00 robbery from which the loot was never recovered. In a flashback sequence where Gene plays his father we see how the capture was made.
Getting thrown from the stagecoach and seeking shelter and help, Gene arrives in a ghost town where the local school marm has taken to spending some time. Nan Leslie is there fascinated by the ghost of a mining tycoon who haunts the place. She and Gene will need all the help they can get from this world and the next when the three escaped convicts arrive looking for the loot which by coincidence Sande stashed there.
With this glimpse into the supernatural, Rim Of The Canyon is a cut or two above the average B western. Gene was making them at this point for Columbia having left the cowboy stable of Republic and Herbert J. Yates. The stories and the treatment reflect that, there are some brutal scenes in Rim Of The Canyon that Yates would never have allowed his cowboy heroes to participate in.
Rounding out the cast in Rim Of The Canyon are Alan Hale, Jr. as Gene's rival in the stagecoach race, Thurston Hall as a very avuncular ghost who hosts Gene and Nan, and Clem Bevans playing his usual old codger prospector.
Gene wrote and sang the two songs from this film, the title song and one of his most enduring hits, You're The Only Star In My Blue Heaven.
A good western for Mr. Autry even if he didn't have a sidekick.
Gene Autry comes to town to drive in a stagecoach race and learns of the escape of three convicts from prison, Walter Sande, Jock Mahoney, and Francis McDonald. Sande is someone that Gene's father, Marshal Steve Autry sent to prison for a $30,000.00 robbery from which the loot was never recovered. In a flashback sequence where Gene plays his father we see how the capture was made.
Getting thrown from the stagecoach and seeking shelter and help, Gene arrives in a ghost town where the local school marm has taken to spending some time. Nan Leslie is there fascinated by the ghost of a mining tycoon who haunts the place. She and Gene will need all the help they can get from this world and the next when the three escaped convicts arrive looking for the loot which by coincidence Sande stashed there.
With this glimpse into the supernatural, Rim Of The Canyon is a cut or two above the average B western. Gene was making them at this point for Columbia having left the cowboy stable of Republic and Herbert J. Yates. The stories and the treatment reflect that, there are some brutal scenes in Rim Of The Canyon that Yates would never have allowed his cowboy heroes to participate in.
Rounding out the cast in Rim Of The Canyon are Alan Hale, Jr. as Gene's rival in the stagecoach race, Thurston Hall as a very avuncular ghost who hosts Gene and Nan, and Clem Bevans playing his usual old codger prospector.
Gene wrote and sang the two songs from this film, the title song and one of his most enduring hits, You're The Only Star In My Blue Heaven.
A good western for Mr. Autry even if he didn't have a sidekick.
"No, we shouldn't question a ghost"!
classicsoncall13 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I guess I would consider this a ghost themed Western, even if the title didn't use the words 'ghost' or 'haunted' to describe the picture. I find this to be a neat little sub-genre of the Western movie experience, and find particular delight in these kinds of stories. The only thing is, this wasn't much of a ghost story, as the 'ghost' turned out to be a character who faked his own death some twenty years earlier. On the face of it, I'm not buying that premise but what the heck, it's a Gene Autry picture.
You know, if you keep an eye on Gene in the early going, it looked like he really might have hurt himself when his stagecoach crashed during the Frontier Days Celebration race. He grabs his right thigh as if in pain, and actually grimaces as the scene transitions to the next part of the story. Gene uses a makeshift cane for the ensuing scenes, so I'm curious now whether the story was written that way, or around the fact that he might have been slightly injured.
Nan Leslie appeared in quite a few B Westerns but I have to say, she never looked more glamorous than she did here once she shed the bookworm image used when Gene first found her at The Bonanza. The story goes on to reveal how she became aware of Gene back in Canyon Junction and fell in love with him from afar, knowing that he had a thing going with saloon gal Lily Shannon. I was curious about a phrase Lily used when she showed Gene her new dress - "Isn't it pash"? I had to look that up - a slang expression for passionate, which I take would be the way she felt about Gene, even while Alan Hale was making his move on her. Interestingly, she didn't show up in the story again.
So what we have here is a story about a trio of outlaws out to recover some stolen loot after serving a twenty year hitch for a stagecoach robbery. Well, two of them anyway, the third outlaw was shot and replaced by Jock Mahoney, appearing as he did in these early B Westerns as O'Mahoney. It's too bad he didn't get to show off his riding skills here, he was one of the best in my book. But this was Gene's picture.
Now I've got to say, I was at a loss for words at the finale when Champion got in on the action and stomped one of the baddies to death. It was done off screen, but it still resonated with this viewer. You could say that villain Jake Fargo (Walter Sande) had it coming to him, but gee, that was tough way to go. As far as movie horses go, I'd say he was one up on Trigger.
You know, if you keep an eye on Gene in the early going, it looked like he really might have hurt himself when his stagecoach crashed during the Frontier Days Celebration race. He grabs his right thigh as if in pain, and actually grimaces as the scene transitions to the next part of the story. Gene uses a makeshift cane for the ensuing scenes, so I'm curious now whether the story was written that way, or around the fact that he might have been slightly injured.
Nan Leslie appeared in quite a few B Westerns but I have to say, she never looked more glamorous than she did here once she shed the bookworm image used when Gene first found her at The Bonanza. The story goes on to reveal how she became aware of Gene back in Canyon Junction and fell in love with him from afar, knowing that he had a thing going with saloon gal Lily Shannon. I was curious about a phrase Lily used when she showed Gene her new dress - "Isn't it pash"? I had to look that up - a slang expression for passionate, which I take would be the way she felt about Gene, even while Alan Hale was making his move on her. Interestingly, she didn't show up in the story again.
So what we have here is a story about a trio of outlaws out to recover some stolen loot after serving a twenty year hitch for a stagecoach robbery. Well, two of them anyway, the third outlaw was shot and replaced by Jock Mahoney, appearing as he did in these early B Westerns as O'Mahoney. It's too bad he didn't get to show off his riding skills here, he was one of the best in my book. But this was Gene's picture.
Now I've got to say, I was at a loss for words at the finale when Champion got in on the action and stomped one of the baddies to death. It was done off screen, but it still resonated with this viewer. You could say that villain Jake Fargo (Walter Sande) had it coming to him, but gee, that was tough way to go. As far as movie horses go, I'd say he was one up on Trigger.
An original story and an excellent supporting cast make this one of Autry's better films.
planktonrules29 September 2011
I have watched a ton of B-westerns lately--mostly those films by old reliable series stars like Roy Rogers, Tim McCoy, Hoot Gibson and Gene Autry. While they are fun and entertaining, a major problem about them is that all too often the plots are either VERY recycled and familiar or they just don't seem that important. Too often singing and formula seem THE most important thing about the films. However, sometimes these stars make a film that stands out because it's original--and "Rim of the Canyon" is such a movie.
The first thing you need to know is that NOTHING about the title has anything to do with the film! Don't worry--it's still good. The film begins with Gene in a wagon race with a very young Alan Hale, Jr.--and Hale sabotages Gene's wagon to win! As a result of his wagon falling apart, Gene is left stranded--and the nearest town is a ghost town. However, when he arrives he finds the local school teacher. It seems she loves the old place AND likes to come and talk with a ghost!! Gene naturally suspects it's not a ghost--and perhaps the lady is wacky! At around the same time, three evil criminals escape from prison. Not only did Gene's father capture them (which you see in a flashback) but while Gene is racing, they steel his beloved horse, Champion! Eventually, this Einstein-like horse escapes and the three desperadoes end up in this ghost town. Considering they have a deep hatred of Gene's dad, they decide to do the next best thing and kill Gene...and his friends. I say friends because in addition to the teacher (Nan Leslie), there is a goofy old man named 'Loco John' (Clem Bevans) and the 'ghost' (Thurston Hall)! All four face certain death unless SOMETHING happens to stop these baddies.
As you can see, the plot sure is different. But there were several things I liked about this in addition. Hall was simply great. You can't help but be charmed by his sweet character--and Bevans is his usual cantankerous character as well---and they both added a lot to the film. Leslie was also quite nice--playing a different sort of romantic lead--one who was odd but very likable and sexy. As for Gene, he was quite good because he was not so invulnerable as some cowboys--he takes a few licks but comes back swinging--and did a reasonable amount of his own stunts. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is the cliché of having Gene play his father in a flashback scene. Identical family members almost never occurs in real life--but is a common staple in B-movies! Still, if that's my biggest complaint, then I have no serious qualms about recommending this genuinely fun film. If you like the genre, see this movie!
By the way, if you do see this film, pay attention to what Champion does at the end of the movie. I have NEVER seen a horse do this sort of thing and it sure made for a dark but unique ending. See what I mean for yourself.
The first thing you need to know is that NOTHING about the title has anything to do with the film! Don't worry--it's still good. The film begins with Gene in a wagon race with a very young Alan Hale, Jr.--and Hale sabotages Gene's wagon to win! As a result of his wagon falling apart, Gene is left stranded--and the nearest town is a ghost town. However, when he arrives he finds the local school teacher. It seems she loves the old place AND likes to come and talk with a ghost!! Gene naturally suspects it's not a ghost--and perhaps the lady is wacky! At around the same time, three evil criminals escape from prison. Not only did Gene's father capture them (which you see in a flashback) but while Gene is racing, they steel his beloved horse, Champion! Eventually, this Einstein-like horse escapes and the three desperadoes end up in this ghost town. Considering they have a deep hatred of Gene's dad, they decide to do the next best thing and kill Gene...and his friends. I say friends because in addition to the teacher (Nan Leslie), there is a goofy old man named 'Loco John' (Clem Bevans) and the 'ghost' (Thurston Hall)! All four face certain death unless SOMETHING happens to stop these baddies.
As you can see, the plot sure is different. But there were several things I liked about this in addition. Hall was simply great. You can't help but be charmed by his sweet character--and Bevans is his usual cantankerous character as well---and they both added a lot to the film. Leslie was also quite nice--playing a different sort of romantic lead--one who was odd but very likable and sexy. As for Gene, he was quite good because he was not so invulnerable as some cowboys--he takes a few licks but comes back swinging--and did a reasonable amount of his own stunts. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is the cliché of having Gene play his father in a flashback scene. Identical family members almost never occurs in real life--but is a common staple in B-movies! Still, if that's my biggest complaint, then I have no serious qualms about recommending this genuinely fun film. If you like the genre, see this movie!
By the way, if you do see this film, pay attention to what Champion does at the end of the movie. I have NEVER seen a horse do this sort of thing and it sure made for a dark but unique ending. See what I mean for yourself.
Your favorite cowboy in a dual role.
michaelRokeefe4 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Riding, shooting and singing...Gene Autry plays in a dual role chasing bad guys that his dad Marshal Steve Autry(Autry)jailed over twenty years earlier. Wonder horse Champion is stolen and Gene has tracked the culprits to a ghost town where school teacher Ruth Lambert(Nan Leslie)believes to have talked to the ghost of an old prospector(Clem Bevans). Gene finds Champion and the horse gets his revenge by trampling a villain. Gene finds time to romance Ruth and gets to sing the popular "You're The Only Star In My Blue Heaven" as well as the title song "Rim Of The Canyon". It is easy to see that Columbia Pictures has a larger budget than Republic. Also in the cast: Thurston Hall, Jock Mahoney and Alan Hale Jr.
A Touch of Exotica
dougdoepke15 October 2013
Oddball Autry entry, from his limping into a ghost town, to a woman possessed by a ghost, to horse Champion doing everything but talking. Looks like Gene and Columbia were reaching for something different from the matinée formula.
What they come up with is an uneven but interesting storyline that jumps around quite a bit. Nonetheless, prolific director English sneaks in some unusual camera shots adding to the movie's generally exotic flavor. And catch leading lady Leslie riding around in what looks like an overflowing prom gown, along with a wild horse herd numbering in the thousands. And note the general absence of the usual comedy relief.
As a result, you can't be sure what will pop up next since Gene (the actor) also gets to play Gene's (the character) dad, Steve, and with a mustache, no less. Minimize a convoluted plot that plays around with three outlaws and a ghost trying to find a hidden thirty-thousand in gold. Nope, the real draw here is an exotically flavored programmer much less predictable than the usual matinée fare.
What they come up with is an uneven but interesting storyline that jumps around quite a bit. Nonetheless, prolific director English sneaks in some unusual camera shots adding to the movie's generally exotic flavor. And catch leading lady Leslie riding around in what looks like an overflowing prom gown, along with a wild horse herd numbering in the thousands. And note the general absence of the usual comedy relief.
As a result, you can't be sure what will pop up next since Gene (the actor) also gets to play Gene's (the character) dad, Steve, and with a mustache, no less. Minimize a convoluted plot that plays around with three outlaws and a ghost trying to find a hidden thirty-thousand in gold. Nope, the real draw here is an exotically flavored programmer much less predictable than the usual matinée fare.
Not a Ghost of a Chance!
bsmith555216 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"Rim of the Canyon" is an above average western from star Gene Autry's Columbia days. Hey...Gene even gets to play two parts and sings only two songs in this one.
Outlaws Jake Fargo (Walter Sande, Charlie Lewis (Francis McDonald) and Pete Reagan (Jock Mahoney) have escaped jail are are reportedly heading to town. Fargo, Lewis and Cash Collins (Denver Pyle) twenty years earlier, has robbed miner Big Tim Hanlon (Thurston Hall) of $30K. Sheriff Steve Autry (Gene) had caught the bandits and sent them away. The loot, unfortunately, was never found.
Gene and Matt Kimbrough (Alan Hale Jr.) are competitors in an upcoming stagecoach race and for a date to the dance with Lily Shannon (Amelita Ward). In the race, which is quite exciting, Matt removes a critical part from Gene's stage causing him to crash and sustain a sprained ankle. Gene hobbles into a deserted town where he meets frumpy school teacher Ruth Lambert (Nan Leslie).
Ruth tells Gene about hearing the voice of Hanlon even though Gene had seen his tombstone upon entering the town. Ruth's horse suddenly disappears. She and Gene are left afoot in the "ghost" town. The outlaws meanwhile are riding to the same town where the $30K is hidden. Along the way Fargo steals Champion, Gene's horse and brutally forces the horse to obey him. The outlaws stop at the camp of miner Loco John (Clem Bevans) where Champ escapes and joins a group of wild horses. The scenes of Champ running with the herd are well done and integrated with some stock footage.
Champ is recaptured and arrives with the bandits at the Ghost town. Gene has been unable to locate Ruth's horse. On his return, he finds a two place dining table has been set up for him and Ruth by presumably the mysterious voice in the shadows. Gene gets to serenade Ruth over supper.
Later Loco John arrives calling Hanlon's name. Gene questions the old timer believing that Hanlon had died twenty years earlier. Then both Loco and Ruth disappear. Ruth emerges with a full makeover and gown which she claims has been provided by Hanlon who is apparently alive. Loco has disappeared into the hidden caves and is later learned, had been supplying Hanlon with provisions.
The outlaws begin searching for the lost loot. Lewis who has been minding the horses, kills Loco in a gunfight when he goes to investigate the sound of Champ' s whinny. Gene returns the gunfire and kills Lewis. Fargo and Reagan continue the search and discover that the money is gone. They then go after Gene and Ruth for the money. Gene gets into a fight with Reagan as Hanlon appears. It seems that he had assumed the identity of a dead miner during a fire at Hanlon's mine and that Hanlon had taken his place.
A gunfight between Gene and Fargo and Reagan. Ruth and Hanlon pitch in forcing the outlaws to flee. Gene goes after them. He catches up to them has another fight with Reagan and.............................................................
Autry, never a threat at Oscar time, does all right playing both his father and himself. The mustache on the Steve character gave Gene a different look. You just knew that Nan Leslie would shed that spinster look at some point. Hale at this point was just beginning his career and shows that likeable quality for which he would become known. Mahoney, a former stunt man, was being groomed by Columbia at the time for bigger and better things. He would go on to play TV's "Range Rider" and later Tarzan.
Gruesome ending may have upset the kids at the time.
Outlaws Jake Fargo (Walter Sande, Charlie Lewis (Francis McDonald) and Pete Reagan (Jock Mahoney) have escaped jail are are reportedly heading to town. Fargo, Lewis and Cash Collins (Denver Pyle) twenty years earlier, has robbed miner Big Tim Hanlon (Thurston Hall) of $30K. Sheriff Steve Autry (Gene) had caught the bandits and sent them away. The loot, unfortunately, was never found.
Gene and Matt Kimbrough (Alan Hale Jr.) are competitors in an upcoming stagecoach race and for a date to the dance with Lily Shannon (Amelita Ward). In the race, which is quite exciting, Matt removes a critical part from Gene's stage causing him to crash and sustain a sprained ankle. Gene hobbles into a deserted town where he meets frumpy school teacher Ruth Lambert (Nan Leslie).
Ruth tells Gene about hearing the voice of Hanlon even though Gene had seen his tombstone upon entering the town. Ruth's horse suddenly disappears. She and Gene are left afoot in the "ghost" town. The outlaws meanwhile are riding to the same town where the $30K is hidden. Along the way Fargo steals Champion, Gene's horse and brutally forces the horse to obey him. The outlaws stop at the camp of miner Loco John (Clem Bevans) where Champ escapes and joins a group of wild horses. The scenes of Champ running with the herd are well done and integrated with some stock footage.
Champ is recaptured and arrives with the bandits at the Ghost town. Gene has been unable to locate Ruth's horse. On his return, he finds a two place dining table has been set up for him and Ruth by presumably the mysterious voice in the shadows. Gene gets to serenade Ruth over supper.
Later Loco John arrives calling Hanlon's name. Gene questions the old timer believing that Hanlon had died twenty years earlier. Then both Loco and Ruth disappear. Ruth emerges with a full makeover and gown which she claims has been provided by Hanlon who is apparently alive. Loco has disappeared into the hidden caves and is later learned, had been supplying Hanlon with provisions.
The outlaws begin searching for the lost loot. Lewis who has been minding the horses, kills Loco in a gunfight when he goes to investigate the sound of Champ' s whinny. Gene returns the gunfire and kills Lewis. Fargo and Reagan continue the search and discover that the money is gone. They then go after Gene and Ruth for the money. Gene gets into a fight with Reagan as Hanlon appears. It seems that he had assumed the identity of a dead miner during a fire at Hanlon's mine and that Hanlon had taken his place.
A gunfight between Gene and Fargo and Reagan. Ruth and Hanlon pitch in forcing the outlaws to flee. Gene goes after them. He catches up to them has another fight with Reagan and.............................................................
Autry, never a threat at Oscar time, does all right playing both his father and himself. The mustache on the Steve character gave Gene a different look. You just knew that Nan Leslie would shed that spinster look at some point. Hale at this point was just beginning his career and shows that likeable quality for which he would become known. Mahoney, a former stunt man, was being groomed by Columbia at the time for bigger and better things. He would go on to play TV's "Range Rider" and later Tarzan.
Gruesome ending may have upset the kids at the time.
One of Gene's best post-war films
corporalko20 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
First off, let me inform planktonrules, above, that the title, "Rim of the Canyon," DOES have something to do with the movie! It's the title song, which Gene sings early on; and there is mention made in dialogue of a particular place in the Western area where the film takes place, referred to locally as "the rim of the canyon." So there.
Gene Autry's movies for Columbia, which were filmed starting in 1947, tended to include darker plots, less music, more action, and a more mature, better actor as the star. And "Rim of the Canyon" is one of the best.
Autry is sabotaged out of winning a stagecoach race, and, with an injured leg, limps into a ghost town where he meets a rather plain, bespectacled young school teacher Ruth Lambert (Nan Leslie). She goes to the town to be alone and write when she has time, and as Gene discovers, she is friends with an older man who lives there secretly, and who faked his own death years before, Big Tim Hanlon (Thurston Hall).
Meanwhile, three outlaws who were captured after a $30,000 robbery 20 years before have broken out of prison and are headed for the ghost town to reclaim the money one hid there before their capture. The connection? They were captured by Sheriff Steve Autry, Gene's father, also played by Gene in a flashback. While preparing to head for the ghost town, they steal Gene's horse Champ, who was waiting for his master to return from the stagecoach race. As a result, Champ plays a much larger part in this film than in most Autrys, including getting his own revenge on one of the three outlaws.
Autry is informed by the elderly stranger in the ghost town that Ruth is in love with the cowboy. He also tells how he (Hanlon) has come to be known as the "ghost" in the "ghost town." Shortly after, the three crooks arrive, and the plot thickens and includes much more action than in the first half of the movie -- including two knock-down, drag-out fights between Gene and the towering Jack Mahoney, playing the youngest of the thugs. Some serious gun play and riding is also included before Gene finally wins out in the end -- and wins Ruth also. She has been transformed into a beautifully gowned, strikingly lovely young woman at a "magic moment" in the film.
Gene Autry's riding, fighting and acting are outstanding in this movie. The others also turn in fine acting jobs, especially Thurston Hall as the "ghost." In fact, when he's walking away from the camera, chuckling, near the end, did it seem to anyone else that he just suddenly disappeared into the night? ...
This is a very fine B-Western, one of Gene's best, never mind what some of the "nay-sayers" above think about it. I heartily recommend it.
Gene Autry's movies for Columbia, which were filmed starting in 1947, tended to include darker plots, less music, more action, and a more mature, better actor as the star. And "Rim of the Canyon" is one of the best.
Autry is sabotaged out of winning a stagecoach race, and, with an injured leg, limps into a ghost town where he meets a rather plain, bespectacled young school teacher Ruth Lambert (Nan Leslie). She goes to the town to be alone and write when she has time, and as Gene discovers, she is friends with an older man who lives there secretly, and who faked his own death years before, Big Tim Hanlon (Thurston Hall).
Meanwhile, three outlaws who were captured after a $30,000 robbery 20 years before have broken out of prison and are headed for the ghost town to reclaim the money one hid there before their capture. The connection? They were captured by Sheriff Steve Autry, Gene's father, also played by Gene in a flashback. While preparing to head for the ghost town, they steal Gene's horse Champ, who was waiting for his master to return from the stagecoach race. As a result, Champ plays a much larger part in this film than in most Autrys, including getting his own revenge on one of the three outlaws.
Autry is informed by the elderly stranger in the ghost town that Ruth is in love with the cowboy. He also tells how he (Hanlon) has come to be known as the "ghost" in the "ghost town." Shortly after, the three crooks arrive, and the plot thickens and includes much more action than in the first half of the movie -- including two knock-down, drag-out fights between Gene and the towering Jack Mahoney, playing the youngest of the thugs. Some serious gun play and riding is also included before Gene finally wins out in the end -- and wins Ruth also. She has been transformed into a beautifully gowned, strikingly lovely young woman at a "magic moment" in the film.
Gene Autry's riding, fighting and acting are outstanding in this movie. The others also turn in fine acting jobs, especially Thurston Hall as the "ghost." In fact, when he's walking away from the camera, chuckling, near the end, did it seem to anyone else that he just suddenly disappeared into the night? ...
This is a very fine B-Western, one of Gene's best, never mind what some of the "nay-sayers" above think about it. I heartily recommend it.
Atmospheric Gene Autry Western
coltras3518 February 2022
Convicts Jake Fargo (Walter Sande), Pete Reagon (Jack O'Mahoney) and Charlie Lewis (Francis McDonald) escape from jail and stumble across a horse race. There, they steal Champion, the faithful horse belonging to Gene Autry (Gene Autry). Making this even more personal for Gene is the fact that his father was the man who put these bandits in jail. Fargon, Reagon and Lewis go hunting for hidden loot, but Gene intends to stop them and get his friend Champion back.
Unusual Gene Autry that is atmospheric, dreamy yet still retaining some thrills in the form of gunplay, quite tough fistfights, stagecoach chase and a vengeful Champion meting out his justice at the end. The ghost town set design is well spooky, evoking enough atmosphere. It's an imaginative and well made western melodrama.
Unusual Gene Autry that is atmospheric, dreamy yet still retaining some thrills in the form of gunplay, quite tough fistfights, stagecoach chase and a vengeful Champion meting out his justice at the end. The ghost town set design is well spooky, evoking enough atmosphere. It's an imaginative and well made western melodrama.
An Unusual Supernatural Plot Makes This A Superior Autry Vehicle
boblipton3 September 2023
Gene Autry gets busted out of a stagecoach race with a sprained ankle when another driver steals a lug nut and drives Champion off. He walks to a nearby ghost town, where he finds Nan Leslie waiting for her weekly meeting with the ghost of Thurston Hall. Meanwhile, three prisoners have busted out of prison to look for $30,000 one stole from Hall twenty years ago, and to seek revenge on the son of the man who put him in prison. That's Autry.
This western is pretty much broken into three interweaved parts, with Gene and Miss Leslie, Champion trying to escape from the bad guys, and Autry playing his father twenty years earlier. It's an interestingly told story, with hints of the supernatural, and Miss Leslie sounding cracked in an ethereal way.... until it turns out the ghost has set a table for a romantic dinner for two.
Although it's a little short of songs for an Autry oater, the unusual plot certainly makes it among Autry's best in story terms. With Alan Hale Jr., Clem Bevans, and Jock Mahoney.
This western is pretty much broken into three interweaved parts, with Gene and Miss Leslie, Champion trying to escape from the bad guys, and Autry playing his father twenty years earlier. It's an interestingly told story, with hints of the supernatural, and Miss Leslie sounding cracked in an ethereal way.... until it turns out the ghost has set a table for a romantic dinner for two.
Although it's a little short of songs for an Autry oater, the unusual plot certainly makes it among Autry's best in story terms. With Alan Hale Jr., Clem Bevans, and Jock Mahoney.
Stolen Horse
StrictlyConfidential24 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Rim Of The Canyon" was originally released back in 1949.
This cowboy picture certainly had its fair share of good moments, as well as its not-so-good moments, too.
Anyway - As the story goes - A trio of robbers are sent to prison for twenty years but the loot is never recovered. The son of the sheriff who sent them away, now a sheriff himself, comes across the robbers as they are attempting to recover the money. Some unexpected help assists our sheriff is thwarting the robbers.
This cowboy picture certainly had its fair share of good moments, as well as its not-so-good moments, too.
Anyway - As the story goes - A trio of robbers are sent to prison for twenty years but the loot is never recovered. The son of the sheriff who sent them away, now a sheriff himself, comes across the robbers as they are attempting to recover the money. Some unexpected help assists our sheriff is thwarting the robbers.
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