My Pal Trigger

I saw an edited version of this film that was done for television. Other reviewers here have mentioned scenes from it that I didn't see.

There is more drama in this than in most of Roy Rogers's films. In fact he and Dale only sing one number right at the beginning because they become enemies.

Dale is Gabby Hayes's daughter and Gabby is playing it more serious than he usually does. Roy's riding a mare called Lady when the film opens and he wants to breed his mare with Gabby's palomino named Golden Sovereign. Even though Roy's request is refused, the horses have a clandestine liaison.

But then Gabby's horse is shot dead and Roy gets blamed for it. The rest of the film is how Roy rights all the wrongs and ends up with the product of the mating. You guessed it, his pal Trigger.

I'm also thinking that maybe a musical number or two might have been cut from the version of My Pal Trigger I saw. I doubt it though, it would have taken away from the general seriousness of this particular Rogers-Evans film.

Also note the presence of Jack Holt who is the villain of this film. It was one of his last, but his son Tim was doing B westerns over at RKO while Jack was in this Republic product. Jack Holt's got all kinds of villainous tricks up his sleeve here.

Hopefully other viewers will see a complete version of My Pal Trigger and not the one I saw.

Appealing Rogers oater. It's not so much a typical cowboy movie as a horse show. The plot's more complex than usual; plus, fans looking for gunplay and fisticuffs may be disappointed. Instead, Roy needs to clear himself from the belief that he shot Trigger's father Golden Stallion. Actually, it was scheming gambler Scoville (Holt) who's looking to gyp ranch owner Kendrick (Hayes) out of his land. Trouble is Kendrick thinks Roy is the horse killer and won't help him, even though daughter Susan (Evans) is drawn to Roy.

Gabby's his usual grouchy self, much of it atypically aimed at Roy. In fact, his Kendrick is not very likable through much of the movie. High points include some awesome mountain scenery, a scary cougar, and some well-done horse action. Also Roy, Dale, and 'Pioneers take turns crooning several lovely standards. All in all, it's a more easy-going hour-plus than the usual. I'm just sorry to say they don't make 'em like this anymore.

A "7" on the Matinée Scale.

One of the best known, and one of the more entertaining, among Roy Rogers' Westerns, "My Pal Trigger" has a pretty good blend of western action and melodrama. It's good entertainment, fast-paced, with plenty going on at all times. The plot may not always be plausible, but it always keeps your attention, as one thing after another keeps coming up to test Roy's patience and ingenuity. Although much of the time you can see what's coming, it's pretty hard not to pull for him. The movie includes Gabby Hayes as one of his most cantankerous characters, and also Dale Evans. If you enjoy these old B-Westerns, you should find this one worthwhile.

Roy Rogers was the epitome of the stylized singing cowboy of the mid 20th century. This movie and others with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are probably better received by those who have an understanding of the real relationship and lifestyles of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans off screen.

Typically the Roy Roger movies and television series were very stylized between black and white morality. This movie breaks the mold to the extent that while at heart, Roy plays an honest cowboy, his solution to being falsely arrested is to become a fugitive from justice. He also forces his way into a barn on private property when his mare goes into foal and fights the owner and ranch hands when they insist that he leaves.

As with most "hero" movies, the truth comes out in the end when Dale Evans becomes to believe in Roy's innocence which is ultimately proved and the bad guys go to jail.

On the surface this movie had Roy's fancy clothes and saddle, pistols and rifles, beautiful horses, cowboy singing, and even a square dance on horseback. By the 1940's, this was one version of the west that the movie companies presented to the public.

As a side note, it is always interesting to reflect upon the style of any movie made just before, during, or after the depression or WII.

When Roy is mistakenly accused of killing Gabby Hayes' prize winning stallion, he takes his mare on the run where she gives birth to Rogers' iconic horse Trigger, returning a few years later to make things right.

My Pal Trigger is a well-written, satisfying outdoor adventure that really knows how to manipulate the emotions of it's targeted audience. I neither like nor use the terms "oat opera" or "horse opera", but if ever there was a film that deserved those titles, then this one is it!

A great cast includes nearly all of Rodgers' best known (and best loved) co-stars, Gabby Hayes, Dale Evans, Bob Nolan, and The Sons Of The Pioneers, not to mention fine character actor Jack Holt.

This is the quintessential Roy Rogers western and a good place to start if you're wondering what all the fuss was about some sixty-plus years ago.