The Border Legion

Roy Rogers (as Dr. Steve Kells) is a wrongly accused fugitive from justice. On his way out west, he meets up with another fugitive, George "Gabby" Hayes (as "Honest" John Whittaker); together, they take up residence in an Idaho town. When Mr. Rogers' identity is discovered, he decides to infiltrate the local gang of terrorists known as "The Border Legion", and make amends...

The film opens with an amusing wheel barrel stunt introducing Mr. Hayes; though, how he emerged intact is a mystery! Hayes is given a comic love interest - Maude Eburne (as Hurricane). Hayes plays a role other than "Gabby", but listening carefully will reveal that doesn't always prevent Roy Rogers from calling him Gabby. Jay Novello (as Santos) steals the show as one of Joseph Sawyer (as Guilden)'s gang. You'll wonder why Rogers leaves Santos so close to a knife and horse at the end of one scene. Mr. Novello's Santos has a unusually close relationship with his boss; their final scene is interesting. Rogers' songs "With My Guitar and You" and "Get Along Little Doggies" are nicely inserted. None of the pluses are enough to life "The Border Legion" aka "West of the Badlands" from mediocrity, however.

*** The Border Legion (1940) Joseph Kane ~ Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Jay Novello

Fugitive doctor Roy Rogers flees to Idaho after taking the rap for a robbery committed by his sweetheart's brother. Before long, he finds himself holed up with a group of bandits, treating the gang-leader's gunshot wound and has to decide whether to stay with the villains or risk being captured and sent back east.

A perfectly ordinary, though glib Roy Rogers vehicle, this isn't among his best, but it's alright. George "Gabby" Hayes easily steals the show as small-time conman "Honest" John Whittaker, who talks his way up from derelict to mayor in no time at all!

The musical highlight is when Roy joins the gang of outlaws for a spirited rendition of the cowboy classic "Get Along Little Doggies".

In the 1950s, Roy Rogers' films were often trimmed in order to fit TV time slots. That's why so many of his movies are now about 53 minutes. In the case of "The Border Legion", while it has been trimmed, fortunately only five minutes is missing--far better than most of the Rogers films. Heck, one I just saw had 24 minutes trimmed by some idiot editor!

The film is a little unusual in that although Gabby Hayes is in this one, he isn't exactly Roy's sidekick and spends most of the film acting without Roy. Additionally, Roy is a wanted man when the film begins--a bit of an unusual situation! When the film begins, you learn that a young doctor (Rogers) is on the run from back East. What exactly he did or who he is covering for, the viewer has no idea. However, through some unusual circumstances, he's able to infiltrate the Border Legion--a group of criminals that have been plaguing the West. But, since the Doc is a good guy at heart, he agrees to help the Sheriff--provided the Sheriff trusts him to do a bit of undercover work. In addition to Roy and Gabby, Joe Sawyer plays a baddie and Maude Eburne plays the wonderfully crusty Hurricane Hattie. While the ending is just too perfect to be believed, it does move along well and is entertaining.

The Border Legion finds Roy Rogers in the unusual position of being both an Easterner and a fugitive. He's busted jail there, serving time for a murder he didn't commit. He's fled from Albany, New York to the wilds of Idaho Territory with his fiancé Carol Hughes in hot pursuit. Both are riding into territory terrorized by the gang called The Border Legion.

Roy's fugitive status lands him with the leader Joe Sawyer. Roy's a doctor who treats him for a gunshot wound and possible gangrene complications. That puts him in solid and he's in a position to help bring law and order to Idaho.

Gabby Hayes is in this one and he's a lovable rogue who rises from derelict to mayor of gold strike town with the lovely Maude Eburne at his side.

Some butchered editing for television makes one have to fill in the gaps. Still Roy's fans should be pleased.

Doctor Roy Rogers shows up in Idaho territory, on the run from some crime in New York State. He's pursued by fiancee Carol Hughes, who's convinced he's innocent but covering for someone. She doesn't know it's her brother, and Rogers doesn't want her to know. He's promptly kidnapped by the Border Legion, bandits who infest the state, led by Joe Sawyer, who needs some medical care. Rogers convinces them he's on their side, and convinces the authorities he's helping them round up the bad guys. Meanwhile, Gabby Hayes shows up, with phony gold mine stock.

It's a lot of subplots to wrap up in 58 minutes with a couple of nice songs to boot, but it almost gets done, despite a bit of rushing at the end. Joseph Kane directs efficiently, DP Jack Marta favors high shots, and Republic spent some money on getting a good cast, including Maude Eburne, Jay Novello and Paul Porcasi, as well as the rights to a Zane Grey book to base it on.