Westerns come in many flavors, but the type portended by the very phrase "singing cowboy" definitively smacks of ham and cheese. That's not to say that the films of Gene Autry or Roy Rogers can't be enjoyable, with good storytelling, clever humor, fine stunts, and genuine singing skill. To be sure, we get just such content in 'Stardust on the sage.' It's also safe to say, however, that this and its kin share kitschy sensibilities that today are most commonly associated with TV sitcoms of the 1950s, which at times also includes antiquated values and questionable writing of characters, particularly women. Suffice to say that this won't appeal to all comers. Still, if you can abide the gaucheness and old-fashioned notions, this is really pretty fun and well made.
This feature can claim earnest humor amidst the silliness, and minor excitement with any instances of action. Though some specifics of the dialogue and characterizations haven't aged well, the scene writing is swell generally, and William Morgan's direction is quite sharp. There are familiar ideas in the narrative to the point that we've surely seen this tale play out elsewhere, with some details changed, yet even at that the plot is written well, and is duly compelling. The very end, encouraging the audience to sing along, is hopelessly awkward and altogether cringe-worthy, yet otherwise there's no questioning that Autry, and co-star Edith Fellows, had terrific voices; it's no wonder they both respectively enjoyed such careers as they did at the time. It should further be noted that by all means, the contributions of those behind the scenes are just super - sets, costume design, and so on.
There's hardly any disputing that pictures like this reflect "simpler entertainment for a simpler time"; for all the back and forth and scheming in the plot, ultimately the tale is rather straightforward. Singing cowboy movies wouldn't pass muster with modern audiences unless such songs were performed with a tongue-in-cheek wink, and unless you're an utmost fan, even the most open-minded cinephiles might be less keen on the genre. Him and haw all you want, however, about how the medium has changed in the last 80 years - the fact remains that even at its saccharine peaks, 'Stardust on the sage' is well made, and intended only for a good time. Anyone who has difficulty with older features won't find anything here to change their mind, yet between solid storytelling, craftsmanship, and stunts, I think this is fairly enjoyable, and not at all a bad film with which to spend an hour.
