Saddle Pals

I have seen nearly every movie Gene Autry made and I must say that while I enjoy them, there is a certain sameness to most of them. The plots are familiar and predictable...too predictable. So, when I saw one of the few Autry films I'd never seen AND it was so different and unusual, I was excited!

When the story begins, Gene and his friends are incensed....the company that owns the land they use for grazing is increasing rents to the point where they can't possibly stay in business. Gene decides to go talk to the man in charge and on the way he meets up with the man's sister...a spoiled brat who clearly loves spending money and is incredibly selfish. And, when he finally meets the boss (Sterling Holloway) he can see why.... Waldo Brooks is a nervous wreck and he lets EVERYONE walk all over him...his sister, the board of directors...everyone! But Waldo decides to do something about it...and he leaves his fortune to Autry to manage and Brooks disappears!

Amazingly, this paper Brooks signed is legal...and Gene decides to make changes. First, he attends a board of directors meeting and challenges the board to account for all the doom and gloom they've been predicting for the company. He suspects these men are crooks and is intent on straightening out Brooks' finances. Second, and the harder part, is breaking Shelly's wicked ways....getting her to settle down and behave herself. What's next for all these folks and Waldo's plan? See the film.

As I mentioned above, the plot here is quite original and the story will keep your interest if you give it a chance. In addition, having The Cass County Boys on hand to do much of the singing was nice as well. While I like Gene's singing, this was certainly different...and quite enjoyable. On the downside, Sterling Holloway's performance was WAY over the top and the oldest sister was a bit too stereotypical (so many Autry films featured inexplicably women just waiting to be tamed by the cowboy hero!). But considering all there is to like, these minor problems can be overlooked.

The ranchers get yet another notice of rent increase for the land, and think they'll have to pack it in. Gene Autry goes to Sterling Holloway, the head of the corporation, but he's busy having a nervous breakdown. He makes out and signs a document leaving all his assets to Gene's control. Unfortunately, that includes his spendthrift sisters, Lynne Roberts and Jean Van. Meanwhile, Damian O'Flynn and associates have been cooking the books to gain control of the business. Gene has a month to raise $50,000 to maintain control.

There's a lot more comedy than usual in this Autry musical oater, thanks to Holloway's dithering and Irving Bacon as a lawyer who'd rather fish than attend to business. Gene sings a nice version of "Amapola", and if the stunt work is not as interestingly performed as in others of the series, it all ends, as expected, with smiles and Miss Roberts falling for Autry.

All in all, a pretty tame Autry, more plot-heavy than usual, with little hard-riding, fast- shooting, or good scenery. Seems bad guys want control of a land company so they can raise rents on small farmers. The rest of plot involves Gene maneuvering to foil their plans, with sometimes help from lovely Shelly (Roberts) sister of the owner. All in all, the story seems more appropriate to one of those '50's business dramas. On the action side, there is a spectacular wagon crash, plus an unusual fight aboard a little boat. However, the songs are forgettable, despite Gene's easy way with a tune. Then too, there's the fey Sterling Holloway whose comedic antics are mainly a matter of taste. Plus they've got him stumbling through some badly done exterior sets. To this Autry fan, it's unfortunately a sub-par entry from Republic, even if the great Tom London gets another cowboy payday.