L'amante del bandito

'Singing Guns', despite the irrelevant title and the presence in the lead of bandleader & baritone Vaughan Monroe (although he does get to sing), isn't about a singing cowboy, but is instead a good looking, intelligently scripted and well acted psychological western.

With his cold eyes (first seen while holding up a stagecoach with his face covered) Vaughan doesn't look like your typical western hero and he doesn't play one here; but Republic capitalises on his rather unusual presence with another interesting script (from a novel by Max Brand) by siblings Dorrell & Stuart E. McGowan and slick direction from R.G.Springsteen. The Trucolor process not inappropriately makes the film resemble early 20th Century handcoloured postcards, aided by James Sullivan's handsome art direction and Reggie Lanning's atmospheric photography.

Monroe receives reliable support from western veterans Ward Bond and Walter Brennan; and the film also provides a rare opportunity to savour in colour the always fascinating, if here underused, Ella Raines.

Catch what appears to be innuendo in the opening stagecoach scene between Ella Raines and the guy sitting across from her. Rather surprising for a Republic Western. It's hardly unusual for a pop singer to transition to movies. Examples range from crooners Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra to rocker Elvis to more contemporary Ice Cube. Monroe makes a manful effort, but in my book the results are best described as uneven. Note how much more relaxed he appears when doing what he does best—sing (I'm glad they worked in Mule Train, the main reason I tuned in).

Wisely, the studio surrounded him with a cast of very capable performers. In fact, Ward Bond has almost as much screen time as Monroe; and ditto for that sly old fox, Walter Brennan. They may have made a mistake with Raines, however. Her glamorous presence and strong personality clearly overshadow that of the uncertain newcomer. Nonetheless, the locations from scenic Sedona, Arizona, make for a series of terrific background shots. The story is more interesting than most oaters, but also more complicated. I had trouble following many of the developments, but maybe that's my fault. Anyway, all things considered, it's a decent enough horse opera. And judging by his scant screen credits, Monroe made the right decision sticking with his unusually fine baritone.

Charming B-western from Republic on tight budge in marvelous Trucolor with many backdrops colorful paintings and some shooting on locations, the story of redemption of an outlaw called Rhiannon (Vaughan Monroe) who went to wrong side of the law due he has been crushed by cruel system of an unbridled capitalist company, his answer will be stealing gold shipping from stagecoach line that blighted his life for good, hence he has to hide in a secret cave at high mountains nearby.

For nothing despicable 5.000 thousand bucks for his head and more incredible still 50.000 bucks for his secret hideout, due there lays out a million dollars of stolen gold, his reckless pursuer is the Sheriff Jim Caradac (Ward Bond), after a thwarted attempted robbery of the stagecoach line, Rhiannon was chase by the untamed Sheriff, in the action he was cheated by the cunning Jim Caradac pretending be hit by gunfire, Rhiannon goes to check and be taken aback, both enter a fight and accidentally he shot a gun hitting the Sheriff leaving Caradac seriously wounded, then he decides takes a risk carrying him to a Dr. Jonathan Mark (Walter Brennan) at the city, posing as just a passerby named Johnny that found the body in the middle of the road.

The wise Doctor demands him to give his blood to save the Sheriff otherwise he'll die soon, the faltering guy there's no choice, in the another day he was nominee as new Sheriff while he is recovering, also Rhiannon has a blatant love interest in the eye-candy Nan Morgan (Ella Raines) a high class poker player, however in a couple months ahead will be another hidden gold shipment and Rhiannon in counting the days.

Psychological western mainly enforces by the wise Doctor-Preacher Jonathan who plays a bold game with the singing Outlaw, the Sheriff and the greedy Nan, thus the die is cast, I consider the old Walter Brennan one the most colorful and charismatic character in the western that I have seen, quite sure, he has own brightness that shines all around, what a fabulous old guy!!

Thanks for reading.

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First watch: 2012 / How many: 2 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7

Curious as to what a cowboy film with crooner Vaughn Monroe might be like, I've finally caught up with this. "Singing Guns", made by Republic in 1950, features Monroe as outlaw Rhiannon, who hides out in the mountains with a stack of gold he's stolen a la Dick Turpin from stagecoaches.

Ward Bond is the local sheriff, Ella Raines is the sparky love interest, and Walter Brennan is the doctor cum preacher, always ready to save a soul. With a solid supporting cast and Trucolor, the film looks good, despite its tiny budget and Poverty Row production values.

I enjoyed this film. Ward Bond has to walk down a Wild West street in frillies, Vaughn gets to sing a few songs including 'Mule Train', there's some shooting, a few punches thrown, and a bit of drama. I'd recommend it as a fairly strong B feature.

If you like good old fashioned westerns, you'll like this movie. It is a common story of guy goes bad for good reasons and how he gets back on the right side. Look at the credits for Director, Writer, Screenplay and the list of actors.Can't get much better. That whole list is in the "A" category. Even with Vaughn Monroe's lack of acting experience it is hard not to like him because of the good story line and the "hero" that he plays, a goodguy that is good at whatever he does and only does it when he has to. He is the type of guy that anyone would like to be like. He can fight, shoot, sing, play the piano and ends up with the good looking Ella Raines. What more could a guy ask for. Good Entertainment!