Git Along Little Dogies

From a dedicated conservationist Gene Autry becomes a champion of the oil interests in this early western of his for Republic. One Judith Allen who's the banker's daughter and runs the local radio station which is mostly sponsored by the oil company which has a local drilling operation.

Said operation is what Gene's against. He takes the reasonable position that the oil when it comes up will poison the watering holes where the cattle drink. Then however when he finds out that the railroad is going to build a spur line for the oil company, then it will also be used by the ranches to ship their steaks on a hoof to the stockyards, that's different. I guess the cattle and the people can drink a little poison then. Sounds like a confirmed hyrdrofracker of today.

The villain here is Weldon Heyburn who's working his own agenda. He's an agent of the oil company, but he's wanting more than a salary and he gets it.

I saw a much abbreviated version, no doubt butchered for early television. Still I doubt the director's cut would be any better. And seeing our cowboy hero sell out to big oil today would not make this film popular in the circles I hang out in.

I love the Maple City Four and their jug band number. Amazing how rhythms can captivate regardless how primitive the instruments. Gene's out to keep an oil well out of the hands of selfish no-goodnik George Wilkins. But first he's got to convince the townfolk that he's not the one trying to cheat them. Catch how that new-fangled gizmo, radio, is worked into the plot. Seems like the broadcasting studio can be anywhere. No formalities here. And what a personality Judy Allen is, with a smile to light up a whole room. Good thing she and Gene finally bury the hatchet. But does Frog finally net the butterfly. He's been after it for an hour. A couple of good touches. Note how baddie George keeps his black eye for several consecutive scenes. Most oaters would not bother with such detail. Also, the oil rig collapse looks like the real thing, and without stock footage or miniatures. So did they actually build one for the movie —see what you think. Anyway, it's the usual fine Autry mix with more than average number of songs, including an offbeat lariat duo. All in all, it's a solid production from Gene's Republic period.

A "7" on the matinée scale.

In the 1950s, the films of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers were frequently trimmed to make them fit TV time slots. In some cases, this actually improved the films--making them flow better by eliminating a few slow spots or dull songs. However, sometimes an insane editor completely destroys a film--like what happened with the copy of "Git Along Little Dogies" that I saw. It was originally 67 minutes and 15 minutes (about 20%) was chopped off--and often the edits left out important parts of the plot! And, oddly, it seems like EVERY song remained!

The plot for this film is odd--even for a Gene Autry film. It begins with Autry and a spunky lady, Doris Maxwell, getting into a tiny feud--but because of bad editing, parts of it are missing! Regardless, Gene is incredibly patient with this obnoxious lady. It turns out her father is financing an oil well whose drilling has destroyed the local water table. Gene is against it. But, when Doris bats her eyes and gets into trouble, Gene agrees to help her and the oil project. However, George Wilkens (the foreman on the well) is a conniving baddie and is determined to make the well fail--so he can then buy it himself and reveal that it is a gusher! Can Gene and Frog manage to right everything by the end of the film? What do you think? As I mentioned above, this copy (from archive.org) is lousy. The songs aren't bad, the plot a bit sub-par and there is a bit they left in where the audience sings along with a bouncing ball (YICK!). The only plus is watching Gene run and jump on his horse Champion repeatedly--it was exciting but must have caused serious damage to whoever did these stunts!! My advice is try to find the full film--otherwise forget it.

Judith Allen is trying to bring in a well, but the money has run out. Gene Autry had been siding with the ranchers against oil, but when he realizes that a working oil field will mean the railroad and easier shpping for cattle, he persuades the ranchers to put up money. But Weldon Heyburn doesn't want the well to come in until after her lease has expired and his has begun. Meanwhile, Smiley Burnette goes butterfly hunting.

The story makes sense, but it's more of a musical than a western, with Autry leading a sing-along with the lyrics printed onto the screen as he raises the money to keep the well going. Other musical acts include the Cabin Kids and the Maple City Four, a washboard band.

Republic had been basing Autry's movies solely on his radio success, but here we see him getting a decent if unremarkable story; Joseph Kane's efficient direction and Tony Martinelli's editing keep things rumbling along.

If Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette's musical talents weren't enough throw in The Cabin Kids and Maple City Four with on sceen lyrics for audience participation. Judith Allen kept the tension just right in the love hate relationship with Autry and Weldon Heyburn played it well as the colluding oil foreman with a plethora of dirty tricks up his sleeve. Great music, action and a lot of fun in this early Gene Autry classic