Spoilers of the Plains

While some of the plots of the Roy Rogers films during WWII were really weird, this late Rogers film might be among the very weirdest--and unlike the old west. It begins with an errant test missile landing on an oil line and exploding. Roy and Trigger don outfits that look like they're members of the Klan and they put it out. It seems that a government missile test site is nearby. Little does Roy know that eventually he'll be pulled into a battle to stop spies from stealing rocket and satellite plans! And, along for the ride is Roy's dog, Bullet--who manages to steal quite a few scenes! Like I said, this IS a very, very weird plot for a cowboy film! Despite the strangeness of the film, I thought the overall product was pretty good. It had plenty of action, Bullet and not all that much singing compared to the average Roy Rogers film (which is a BIG plus). Simple, old fashioned fun and nothing more.

Roy Rogers is running an oil pipeline when he runs into old buddy Gordon Jones. Jones is working for rocket scientist William Forrest, who is conducting experiments on a new model. After some initial problems, Roy wins the interest of Forrest's daughter, Penny Edwards. What no one realizes is that Grant Withers, who runs an oil well, isn't pumping any oil. Instead, he and his crew are trying to steal the rocket and kill Forrest.

Although the songs in this one are just ok, this Rogers vehicle shows why he was popular for so long. Who else thought of putting rocket scientists in a western? There are the usual fine stunts in the closing sequence, and Trigger gallops to the rescue. My only objection is the bad guys shoot Bullet the German Shepherd, who never got a credit in the movies, although he certain did on the TV show.

In Spoilers Of The Plains Roy Rogers was in definite need of help from his four legged friends. Not once, but twice did Trigger and the wonder dog Bullet pull him out of a tough scrape with the bad guys led by Grant Withers.

Roy runs an oil pipeline in this film and also operating in his vicinity is scientific rocket experiment station. Remember right about this time the USA was experimenting with some of Werner Von Braun's captured V-2s and trying to develop a rocket program of our own. The model that scientist William Forrest and his lovely assistant Penny Edwards is working on will aid in sending out long range weather forecasts.

Where there are experiments there are spies which is what Grant Withers and his crowd are. Under the cover of being oil drillers they want to steal what's inside the rocket, the gadget for the weather forecast. Those Communists, even trying to steal our weather forecasting equipment, is there no end to their skullduggery?

The best song Roy sings in this film is Rainbow Over Texas done quite nicely. Roy recorded a lot of his songs, but as a selling recording artist his rival Gene Autry left him way in the dust.

Gordon Jones was Roy's sidekick in a lot of the Rogers films toward the end of his Republic days, playing his usual amiable lunkhead. I do miss Andy Devine or Gabby Hayes in those parts though.

Spoilers Of The Plains will not disappoint Roy's legion of fans of all ages.

Even if western fans never tire of recycled western plots, it is always good to see a fresh idea. Roy and his pals are working for an oil company in Spoilers of the Plains with not a single head of cattle in sight for the whole movie. Instead of a fight over oil being the focus, this time the story is about rockets and an experimental guidance system. Of course, Roy finds himself battling thieves who want to steal the experimental parts for unnamed interests. That may not be an entirely new concept for movies, or even westerns, but it made a good change of direction in the Roy Rogers series.

Some things were very different in Spoilers of the Plains from other Roy Rogers movies. Penny Edwards character, Frankie Manning, garners sympathy more than she acts as a romantic interest. It seems that Roy was beaten up more times than in other movies. A story device that is usually irritating is having supporting characters win the hero's battles for him. In this case Bullet comes to Roy's rescue as does Trigger. One time would be good. More than once brings doubt to the hero's ability to defend himself. In the end Roy ends up winning his fight, but even then it is due to a mistake made by the villain, Camwell.

Gordon Jones may not be Roy's best known sidekick, but he was great in every scene. Again, Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage take a backseat in the story, but they provide some excellent music.

William Witney made Spoilers of the Plains an excellent action filled western from beginning to end. Starting with a dangerous fire fighting scene and never letting the momentum of the action die down, there is no shortage of excitement. During the wagon chase at the end several cowboys are jumping from one wagon to the other. Look closely and you will see that one of them missed his jump and fell very close to a wheel. Real men! Real action! This was not a movie made by sissies!

I had the privilege and honor of seeing this movie on the big screen at the 6th Annual Roy Rogers Film Festival.

I was surprised to see a movie involving rockets, nevertheless, I loved every minute of the movie. Classic action with Roy, Trigger, and faithful Bullet, and of course, a tangle with the baddies.

I can't wait till it's released on video.