Lights of Old Santa Fe

Roy helps keep Dale and Gabby's wild west show in business even as Tom Keene's competing show slyly tries to wreck them.

Not a formula oater. There's no gunplay, little hard riding, and only brief fisticuffs. But there is a chariot race, of all things. In fact, I'd call this a personality western if there were such a thing. Anyway, that's the real attraction, a really engaging Roy, a sparkling Dale who gets to emote more than usual, and of course the great Gabby who even warbles a few refrains and in his own voice too. Together, they're delightful, making this an easygoing surprise and a different kind of matinée.

"Gabby Whittaker" (George 'Gabby' Hayes) is the manager of the Brooks Rodeo Show which has steadily been losing money due to his inability to keep up with current trends. He has also kept the owner, "Marjorie Brooks" (Dale Evans) completely in the dark so as not to worry her. In the meantime, their main rival, the Madden Rodeo Show, has a more modern look and as a result has since overtaken them. And the owner of that particular outfit, "Frank Madden" (Tom Keene) is willing to do whatever it takes to either acquire the Brooks Rodeo Show or run them out of business. But just as things begin to look bleak a cowboy named "Roy Rogers" (Roy Rogers) comes driving into town with several of his friends known as the Sons of the Pioneers which Gabby immediately recognizes as the answer to all of his problems. Unfortunately, so does Frank Madden. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a decent, old-fashioned type of Musical-Western which definitely personified the time. And because it is so dated there is a possibility that some viewers may not like or appreciate it. Again, it's a product of its time. That being said, I found it to be good enough for a rainy day and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

"Lights of Old Santa Fe" is pretty good light entertainment from Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gabby Hayes, and Trigger. There is perhaps a little less plot than usual, but on the other hand, there is more humor and singing than usual, and it makes you feel right at home with Roy and his friends.

The story revolves around two competing rodeo shows, one run by Hayes, and the other owned by a slippery character played by Tom Keene, with Dale's character getting caught in the middle of the rivalry. The setup provides enough material for a light story and for the variety entertainment. Lloyd Corrigan, playing a radio personality, also joins in by lending his array of voices to a couple of entertaining scenes.

For the most part, this follows the usual formula, and most Roy Rogers fans won't be disappointed by this one.

Dale owns a rodeo managed by Gabby Hayes. Roy and The Sons Of The Pioneers are singers in the show. They're in financial trouble, but the offer of a booking at the in Albuquerque can put the rodeo on easy street. But a nasty rival rodeo owner, Tom Keene, tries various nefarious schemes to keep them from getting there. It's up to Roy and Trigger to try to save the day. The highlight is a chariot race between Roy and Keene.

"Lights of old Santa Fe" is a pleasant Roy/Dale entry in their series of numerous movies. The Lights of Old Santa Fe theme song is memorable, one of their best. It gets sung a few times. There is more singing than action in this one, but it's still a enjoyable to watch for us older kids who remember it from our younger days.

I'm watching "Lights of Old Santa Fe" on The Westerns Channel right now. It's a good one so see it if you can.

Roy finds the rats in madden and wetherbee and pulls their plugs with the help of the pioneers and trigger ... those 25 cent matinee double headers when i was a child were the lifeblood of a small town fan base ...westerns that shine and get the bad guys