Blue Canadian Rockies

A change of settings - at least story-wise - makes this Gene Autry entry interesting to watch. Though actually shot at Big Bear Lake, California, the scenery looks Canadian to some degree although the mountains are a bit low. Gene and comical sidekick Pat Buttram (Rawhide), are sent northward to check on the boss' daughter, Sandra Higbee (played by Arkansas' own Gail Davis, TV's "Annie Oakley), who has opened a dude ranch must to the chagrin of the local lumber jacks. Gene and Rawhide uncover more than just a feud between the lumber company and the dude ranch and must find the real culprit behind the shady goings-on. There is a hilarious fisticuffs among Gene, Rawhide and two lumberjacks, played by veteran character actors, Gene Roth and John Merton, when Gene and Rawhide first arrive at the dude ranch, that's not to be missed.

Another gal from Arkansas, Carolina Cotton, gets to strut her stuff and even sings two songs she composed, "Yodel, Yodel, Yodel" and "Lovin Ducky Daddy," showcasing her talents as an early rockabilly performer. But, alas, this was her final film. Gene gets to croon the Eddy Arnold standard, "Anytime," and performs the title tune written by the legendary songwriter, Cindy Walker. The Cass County Boys are in good form singing a modernized version of the authentic trail driving folksong, "The Old Chishom Trail." Gene joins them in "Mama Don't Allow No Music," one of the "Honey Babe" variations that permits each member of the band to show off his musical talents on different instruments.

This was one of the last films Gene would make (he made only six more), but it still holds up well and Pat Buttram is always a treat to watch. There's a funny skit in this one when he and the boss show up at a masquerade party unknowingly wearing similar Jim Bridger outfits including a skunk-skin cap and a fake beard.

Gene and Pat make their way to a Canadian dude ranch at the urging of Don Beddoe to a keep watchful eye on his daughter. She is none other than Annie Oakley herself, Gail Davis. They first have to fend off Mauritz Hugo and his angry lumberjacks. Also, there's an inside mole who's pillaging the ranch. Is it the 'man of a 1000 films, Tom London or the foreman, Ross Ford? Action and tension abounds but not to worry, some great music is in store too. 'All American Girl' Caroline Cotton is yodeling to perfection and the The Cass County Boys are harmonizing to perfection. A wonderful story and the greatest cast take the show on the road.

By the time Gene Autry made "Blue Canadian Rockies", he'd already been in pictures nearly two decades. Because of this, Gene looks less handsome and a few pounds heavier than in his early flicks. Additionally, films from his later career just seem a bit less interesting to me...though Gene's still in good voice in this one.

Like Autry's later films, this one co-stars Pat Buttram as his sidekick. Together, the pair head to Canada to look into the doings of a young lady. It seems her father is not happy about her creating a dude ranch nor is his happy about her choice in fiancees. Once there, Gene realizes that there's trouble brewing with a local lumber outfit.

The plot to this one is only mildly entertaining and the songs in the film are pleasant but unremarkable. As a result, it falls in the category of a time-passer instead of a must-see effort. Not bad....just nothing particularly good about this run-of-the-mill picture.