Springtime in the Rockies

After talking an angry mob out of killing a rancher for bringing sheep into the community, Gene Autry is alarmed to find out that the livestock in question has been pawned off on his employer, an eastern tenderfoot, who's never even been to the ranch and who happens to be a lady. Gene tries to scare her back east before the neighbors discover the sheep, while nasty villains plot to swindle her out of her spread.

After scores of movies that leave the viewer (at least the ones who don't know anything about ranching) wondering why cowboys always want to kill sheep farmers, finally a film comes along that gives us the answer, Autry: "cause the sheep eat the ruts!"

As far as the movie goes, it's pretty typical, but pleasant enough entertainment. The cast, including Smiley Burnette, sings some good songs and female lead Polly Rowles is quite appealing.

Better than average programmer. Good action, classic plot and personable leading lady (Polly Rowles). College girl Rowles inherits spread in ranching country with three college friends. Naturally everybody's looking to take advantage of these greenhorns, even Gene when he finds out they want to graze root-eating sheep instead of less destructive beeves. Complications fly thick and fast and maybe you can follow the twists better than I could. But it doesn't really matter because the appeal of these cowboy quickies lies elsewhere than in the logic of the plots. Some good scenery, hard riding, and the great Tom London and George Chesbro in featured parts. Highlights include scaring the girls until one decides to shoot, singing the meanness out of Chesbro (a nifty little scene), and the classic title tune. It may not be High Noon, but for me, it's a darn entertaining 60 minutes.

It all begins when Gene and Smiley pull some tricks in trying to save their boss lady, the beautiful and talented Polly Rowles from sheep herding in cattle country. Seasoned performer George Chesebro superbly plays the overzealous cowpoke enforcing the law of the land. One of the great villains and infantry man Al Bridge does great in playing the unscrupulous business man as does Edward Hearn in trying to frame Gene. Frog has probably his best song (and funniest) singing 'And How'. Ula Love flawlessly adds the comic relief in breaking down the resistance of the hired hands, "Well, pards, I reckon you hombres are figgerin' on a rip-snortin' bang-up shindig tonight".Joseph Kane does another admirable directing job and Champion has some well-earned scene stealing moments.

Pleasing oater with music has Rowles as a young woman who inherits the ranch Autry takes care of, then on impulse decides to ranch sheep there. All the other ranchers complain, and Autry manages to trick her into thinking she owns a much smaller ranch to contain the damage. Trouble comes when one whiley rancher uncovers the plan and tries to exploit it to get her to sell the land.

Minimal plot, but good action and a very nice setting well photographed. Autry sings some songs.

Gene Autry plays himself as foreman of a cattle ranch in this engaging modern B western faced with a problem as the new owner of the ranch, Sandra Knight (Polly Rowles), a recent college graduate in animal husbandry who decides to move from the East to her inherited property, brings with her a flock of sheep that she has been gulled into purchasing by an unscrupulous local rancher. Sandra also brings three of her lady college classmates with her to vacation during the summer on her new spread and their attempts to adjust to Western life provides comic effects thanks to a well-written script and the very competent direction of Joe Kane, who always works well with his cast, in this instance abetted by the presence of three veteran cowboy villains: Al Bridge, Edward Hearn and George Chesebro. There is plenty of good riding and roping, notably by Autry upon his splendid jumper, Champion, and the action is fast-paced with an interesting plot, comedic interludes and the customary musical numbers by Gene, who takes a properly strong stance against destructive sheep grazing in this delightful low budget effort, marked by the normal rushed ending when production money is depleted.