Le Champion

Top- notch Autry oater that gives fresh meaning to old adage about "eatin' dust". So, will ranch foreman Gene win horse race that keeps Spud's horse ranch away from bad guy Neale (Elliot). Maybe kid Spud started out as finely attired little British gentleman, but he's quickly adapted to Western ways and to the ranch his dead father left him. But to keep it, Gene's got to win the race against the baddies and thereby sell the ranch's horse pack to the cavalry.

The flick's lifted by a number of good touches, like the scenic eastern Sierras and its rocky teeth; lots of hard, meaningful riding; inventive use of Buttram's usual comedic role; a barn fire to end all barn fires; a youthfully handsome Gene, plus a more-than-decoratve Judith Allen; and, oh my gosh, is that cowboy hero Wild Bill Elliot as wicked baddie Nance! (I guess crooked trails sometimes lead to straight ones.) Anyway, it looks like usual low-budget Republic spared no expense in this 1937 cowboy production.

Overall, it's a darn good hour's entertainment from a valued American tradition. And if I recall correctly, the movie's title tune "Boots and Saddles" became Autry's signature song and a good one, at that. Anyway, if you're having trouble hearing me, I'll take my cues from the flick and yell a little louder! Whoops, here comes the wife, so get 'em up, cowboy.