Sunset in El Dorado

This is a most unusual western for Roy Rogers and Dale Evans taking place in both the past and present. It's like one of those British films where the same woman plays a variation on herself in several centuries.

In the present in Sunset In El Dorado Dale Evans has run away to the west rather than marry stuffy Hardie Albright. One look at Roy Rogers astride Trigger has definitely got Dale reevaluating her future. But aunt Margaret Dumont and Albright have come after her. Dale's grandmother was the legendary Kansas Kate from the former boom town of El Dorado which is now a ghost town. When she visits there and meets up with Gabby Hayes who was around back then, Dale wanders back to the old west where she becomes Kansas Kate and all these people assume roles in her life.

Sunset In El Dorado is an unusual type film for Roy and Dale, but it does fit them quite well. This is a chance to see Dale in a part that at one time she would have had hopes of doing. Before meeting and marrying Roy, Dale wanted a career in musical comedy. Imagine her instead of Doris Day doing Calamity Jane or her instead of Betty Hutton doing Annie Get Your Gun. Those were the parts she aspired to and I think she could have done them if fate hadn't intervened and given her a different personal and career direction.

And who wouldn't have chosen Roy over Hardie Albright?

Here's a sweet little "oater" from Republic that probably entertained the girls in the audience more than their guys. It's really a Dale Evans movie all the way, told totally from her viewpoint and she appears in practically every scene.

The hook is that the entire cast plays dual roles: one in present day, and one in the 1890's in which may either be a flashback or a dream. The plot centers on unhappy career woman Dale who makes a fast break for the country to reconnect with her roots, namely her deceased Grandmother who was a notorious saloon hall songstress. Her aunt Margaret Dumont and her fiancé Hardy Albright follow, and they're not happy when Dale meets flirtatious cowboy Roy Rogers. He gives Dale a tour of the now deserted town of El Dorado, winding up in the saloon where Dale's granny sang. Sleepyhead Dale nods off, and dreams up an alternate reality where she's now playing her own grandmother, and all the cast members are there only with different costumes and names.

There's some shootouts and chases, all handled expertly by Roy Rogers at his athletic best. And of course, between the bullets, he sings a couple songs and two duets with Dale. The supporting cast is great, and it's a joy to see old pros Gabby Hayes and Margaret Dumont playing scenes together. There's a lot packed into the short running time, although the denouement seems a bit rushed.

So Dale Evans really proves that she has star quality in this, and looks fabulous in both the contemporary and gay nineties fashions. And not far away is Roy Rogers, leading Trigger and looking handsome in his trademark cowboy gear.

*** out of *****

This lesser known 1945 Roy Rogers western is actually very good, though it has an off the wall plot. Dale Evans "flashes back" to earlier times while reminiscing about her Grandma. Roy and Gabby are in fine form in this film, completing what was the most entertaining western pairing of the day.

Western vets Roy Barcroft & Tom London are again on board for this film and the Sons of the Pioneers help with the musical interludes. Dale Evans gave one of her best performances in the series, stealing the spotlight in some ways from Roy & Gabby.

An enjoyable, light western saga.

I am trying to watch as many of the old Roy Rogers films as I can find. However, in the case of "Sunset in El Dorado" the copy I found on YouTube is a mess. It appears as if someone took a VHS version or saw it on TV and copied it using a video camera! The sound is awful and sounds like the film was made in a cave...and you can periodically hear the person who copied it moving about, opening bags of chips, listening to music and even coughing and sneezing! It's a surreal experience...like you have someone who is annoying watching the film with you! So, if you can find a better copy, please see it...especially since 12 minutes was also trimmed off this one!

The story is a story within a story. You aren't sure if it's a flashback or dream by Dale...but it's an unusual gimmick. The story is about Gabby and his discovery of gold in a hidden mine. However, dumb old Gabby cannot remember where it is located AND crooks stole it from him. Roy thinks perhaps Dale knows about this but the real villain is ultimately caught in the end...thanks to Roy.

The is a very enjoyable film...well worth seeing...but NOT the copy I saw. It just shows you how desperate I was to see this film that I even bothered.