My Pal Trigger

Appealing Rogers oater. It's not so much a typical cowboy movie as a horse show. The plot's more complex than usual; plus, fans looking for gunplay and fisticuffs may be disappointed. Instead, Roy needs to clear himself from the belief that he shot Trigger's father Golden Stallion. Actually, it was scheming gambler Scoville (Holt) who's looking to gyp ranch owner Kendrick (Hayes) out of his land. Trouble is Kendrick thinks Roy is the horse killer and won't help him, even though daughter Susan (Evans) is drawn to Roy.

Gabby's his usual grouchy self, much of it atypically aimed at Roy. In fact, his Kendrick is not very likable through much of the movie. High points include some awesome mountain scenery, a scary cougar, and some well-done horse action. Also Roy, Dale, and 'Pioneers take turns crooning several lovely standards. All in all, it's a more easy-going hour-plus than the usual. I'm just sorry to say they don't make 'em like this anymore.

A "7" on the Matinée Scale.

In this film, Roy Rogers is trying to get a grouchy guy, Gabby Kendrick (Gabby Hayes), to provide stud services for Roy's horse. Hmmmm....let me rephrase that. Roy is trying to breed his horse with Gabby's horse. But Gabby won't hear of it and is a total jerk.

Later, someone kills Gabby's prize horse and Roy is blamed for it. He didn't do it, of course, and it's pretty obvious that Scoville (Jack Holt) is behind it. But no one knows this until the end of the film--and in the meantime, Roy is forced, for some time, to hide from the law. Naturally, by the end of the film everything has worked out--and Roy has his new prize horsie, Trigger.

This is a rather amiable Roy Rogers film. While the songs are completely ordinary, the plot is different and enjoyable. Not exactly deep or lasting entertainment but pretty nice stuff to pass the time.

"My Pal Trigger" was reportedly one of Roy Rogers favorites of his films. Republic gave it a little more budget and its running time at 79 minutes is a good 10-20 minutes longer than the standard "B" programmer.

The story involves Roy attempting to have rancher Gabby Hayes prize stallion sire a colt with his mare. Hayes (in a straight acting role) refuses and in the ensuing action, his stallion is shot and Roy is blamed. Of, course the two horses did get together and we know who the resultant colt will be. The rest of the film has Roy trying to convince Hayes and daughter Dale Evans of his innocence.

There is not really a black-hearted villain in the story although Jack Holt is a close as it comes as Hayes rival rancher. The picture is devoid of any real action (although there are a couple of minor fights) and hardly a shot is fired. My God even Roy Barcroft as Holt's foreman doesn't even get into a fight. There are a few songs but no production numbers. The Sons of the Pioneers sing a catchy little tune.

I liked the Rogers pics directed by William Witney better. They had more action and less music.

Roy Rogers was the epitome of the stylized singing cowboy of the mid 20th century. This movie and others with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are probably better received by those who have an understanding of the real relationship and lifestyles of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans off screen.

Typically the Roy Roger movies and television series were very stylized between black and white morality. This movie breaks the mold to the extent that while at heart, Roy plays an honest cowboy, his solution to being falsely arrested is to become a fugitive from justice. He also forces his way into a barn on private property when his mare goes into foal and fights the owner and ranch hands when they insist that he leaves.

As with most "hero" movies, the truth comes out in the end when Dale Evans becomes to believe in Roy's innocence which is ultimately proved and the bad guys go to jail.

On the surface this movie had Roy's fancy clothes and saddle, pistols and rifles, beautiful horses, cowboy singing, and even a square dance on horseback. By the 1940's, this was one version of the west that the movie companies presented to the public.

As a side note, it is always interesting to reflect upon the style of any movie made just before, during, or after the depression or WII.

One of the best known, and one of the more entertaining, among Roy Rogers' Westerns, "My Pal Trigger" has a pretty good blend of western action and melodrama. It's good entertainment, fast-paced, with plenty going on at all times. The plot may not always be plausible, but it always keeps your attention, as one thing after another keeps coming up to test Roy's patience and ingenuity. Although much of the time you can see what's coming, it's pretty hard not to pull for him. The movie includes Gabby Hayes as one of his most cantankerous characters, and also Dale Evans. If you enjoy these old B-Westerns, you should find this one worthwhile.