Apache Country

When I think of classic westerns, no Gene Autry flicks come to mind. But, when I think of western stars, he's among the FIRST to come to mind. So, it never surprises me when I give his films just mediocre marks. Such is my grade for this effort. It has what you'd expect in a Gene Autry movie: plenty of tunes (even a Hank Williams standard and a female singer/yodeler); a plot and action which seems somewhat contrived; and lots of Pat Buttram foolishness. Here we have pseudo-resigned cavalrymen Autry and Buttram planted in Arizona as start-up cattlemen. Actually, they're there to learn why Indian raids are occurring in an area where a no-raid treaty exists. Only SLIGHT bellicose Apache behavior is shown, however; and, it's clarified that THAT is encouraged by caucasians. As always, after enduring intrigue from many angles, Gene and Pat get the job done and the bad guys are quelled.

I have seen and enjoyed quite a few Gene Autry films, so when you read that I didn't like "Apache Country" you should realize that I wanted to enjoy this movie much more than I did. The problems were that one of the villains was REALLY obvious and the other was that there was much more singing than usual...and a lot of it consisted of yodeling!! After a while, I felt like using ear plugs...the yodeling was that annoying.

Gene is appointed by the federal government to investigate problems with some of the Native Americans out west. Specifically, groups of Apache are attacking stage coaches. Why and who is behind it is what Gene is going to investigate...and he insists that Pat (Pat Buttram) accompany him...because what good is a singing cowboy without comic relief?!

When Gene arrives and is about to ride the stage, it's VERY obvious that one of the women riding with them is evil. Watch this portion...you'll see exactly what I mean. The other lady aboard is more evil...as she loves to yodel! Technically, she's helping Gene and the side of good....but with all of Carolina Cotton's singing, you'd swear she is evil!! What's next? Well, more singing and yodeling!

Like many of Autry's films, he, Pat and also Carolina use their real names (or stage names)...which is odd but not for the genre. What IS odd is all the yodeling. I am sure that Carolina Cotton was a nice person...but I just couldn't stand all her yodeling...which is one of the big reasons this film turned me off so much.

No where close to classic, but evocative of Saturday morning at the movies. Ridin', shootin', singin' and Indian uprisings. Gene Autry never lets you down. His movies are simple and very predictable. APACHE COUNTRY is no different. Gene's sidekick Pat Buttram joins Mary Scott, Francis X. Bushman, Carolina Cotton and Iron Eyes Cody in this sagebrush drama. 62 minutes of wholesome escape.

Apache Country finds Captain Gene Autry on a special mission out west to find out who is stirring up the Apaches now that Geronimo is retired from warmaking. He's to pretend he's now retired from the Army and he and Pat Buttram are to pretend to be looking for ranch property to settle down in.

The head of this scheme is Harry Lauter and I have to say it's an interesting one. He's the one supplying weaponry and whiskey to the Apache and he wants them stirred. I won't reveal it, but he's got a nice deal cooked up with them for his own outlaw band.

Of course what Lauter wants could not happen without the connivance of the Indian agent and Sydney Mason along with his daughter Mary Scott is most conniving.

Unlike his number one rival Roy Rogers who featured of course Dale Evans and other female musical performers as leading ladies, Autry usually didn't in his films. This one is a glorious exception with Carolina Cotton as a singing and shooting Annie Oakley type. No romance though is written in the script for them.

Apache Territory is a nice Gene Autry western both dramatically and musically.