South of Santa Fe

South Of Santa Fe has Roy Rogers with the rest of the Sons Of The Pioneers in New Mexico trying to get a group of wealthy investors to look at a mine owned by Linda Hayes. But gangster Paul Fix who is on the lam sees a real big opportunity to make a lot of quick bucks by kidnapping these rich guys.

Fix is one of the shrewdest and most dangerous of villains ever in a Roy Rogers western. He's put a neat little frame around Roy and the Sons and it will take every bit of cleverness to foil his dastardly scheme.

A fair share of music is in South Of Santa Fe though nothing really stands out. The best was a square dance where Bobby Beers and Judy Clark decide to liven things up with a jitterbug.

One of Roy's better films and I think I saw a much edited version because I had to fill some blanks in with the story. Still lots of action, lots of singing, and a very cunning villain for Roy to best.

This is a pretty silly movie if you think about it. However, it's also easy to forget about the plot and just enjoy the movie, as it's a pretty good little B-movie.

"South of Santa Fe" begins with a young lady fretting that she needs investors for her mine--but no one seems interested. So, Roy comes up with a scheme to use his 'Vaqueros' (actually the Sons of the Pioneers) to deliver singing invitations to some rich potential investors--inviting them out to the dude ranch for a vacation. The plan is to butter them up and show them a great time and then spring the mining proposition on them. What they don't know is that a mobster (Paul Fix) has infiltrated this group and has plans of his own.

The biggest negatives about this film is the plot (which is just odd) and Fix's character--he's simply too obviously evil to work. While a very good supporting actor, here he isn't given much to work with--and EVERYONE knows he's bad--so why doesn't Roy recognize this?! But, although the plot is bizarre, it all is fun and enjoyable in a 'turn off your brain' sort of way.

Roy Rogers and The Sons Of The Pioneers set up an 1890's style trail ride and invite some big money types, with the ulterior motive of introducing them to a gal pal with a goldmine that's waiting to be developed. Unfortunately, invitee Paul Fix turns out to be a gangster who has the whole party kidnapped and blames it on Roy.

Fast-paced and with a decent amount of action, South Of Santa Fe is another typical but fun adventure for Roy and friends with a handful of great tunes on display.

Speaking of the music, this is one of those rare times where The Sons Of The Pioneers were allowed to show their vocal range and individual talents for singing. Usually in pictures, they're only allowed to sing in unison or as backing for Roy Rogers or sometimes Gene Autry.

What would it take to get prominent businessmen to come to an old mine? The adventure of a trail ride with the Vaqueros, that's what!

Gabby Whitaker is the mayor of... Whitakerville! The town is dying off, but if Carol Stevens (Linda Hayes) can get someone to look at her isolated gold mine she knows it will bring prosperity back to the town. This is a tough proposition, but Roy Rogers and The Sons of the Pioneers just go (instruments and all) into the offices of a few businessmen to make them want to join the annual ride of the Vaqueros. A little western harmony can work like magic. It's just like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney putting on a show to save the day, and it could only work in the movies! So, once the industry leaders show up in their dude outfits they soon learn the mine has a value. Those men also have a value to a crook named Harmon (Paul Fix). He kidnaps them and frames Roy and the Pioneers for the crime. It's no big deal because Roy Rogers always wins.

What makes this Roy Rogers adventure stand out is the Sons of the Pioneers. The classic lineup is there: Hugh and Karl Farr, Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, Pat Brady, and Lloyd Perryman. They play several songs throughout the movie by themselves and also backing Roy. The group had been well established before South of Sante Fe was made, and by this time their personalities were known. Tim and Lloyd had less screen time, but everyone was well represented. More singing is provided by Judy Clark and Bobby Beers. Music works its way into several scenes perfectly.

Did I see correctly or did good old Fuzzy take several bullets to the gut taking him out of the gunfight action. Oh my, what a surprise for an oater! Anyhow the cowboy flick is set unexpectedly in modern times, circa 1942. Thus there's no mistaking the baddies in their sleek city suits while Roy and guys are in their usual rough cowboy togs. Thus it's frontier tradition vs modern city ways, cowboys and horses vs airplanes, cars and phones.

The battle itself is over who gets control of an abandoned gold mine. But now it's WWII time and the mine's recently discovered tungsten ore is needed for warfare. That means lots of money's at stake, and Roy wants the mine's sweetie legal owner (Carol) to benefit instead of the scheming greedy easterners. So which side will win out.

Don't let the first part fool you. It's all melodic singing and merri-making. But then the action starts and picks up speed as it goes along. Lot's of hard-riding and fast- shooting, but few flying-fists or good scenery. Nonetheless, it's Roy and Fuzzy on their way up the cowboy trail, along with a good mix of the old and the new, so give it a look-see.