Roll on Texas Moon

Roll on Texas Moon employs many of the standard plot devices of the popular B Western to wring out plenty of action and humor in the course of its brief running time. Paragon of truth, honor and virtue Roy Rogers finds himself smack dab in the middle of a turf war between the regional cattle ranchers and sheep herders (the social implications of which are occasionally fascinating to ponder) which has been manufactured by a secret evil-doer trying to gain control of a major ranch. Roy's invaluable sidekick, the legendary Gabby Hayes, proves indispensable to the film: not only is he accused of murder, he also provides the comic relief, as an adorable lost lamb develops a fixation and dependence on Gabby that the grizzled cattleman desperately tries to hide from his pals. Dale Evans, playing Jill Delaney, is a well-meaning and good-hearted sheep rancher who, like Roy, does not want the bitter dispute to tear apart the community. Before all the secrets can come to light and reveal the true villain, the audience is treated to a rousing set piece in which Jill's out of control, sabotaged auto goes careening off a steep embankment. If you think Roy is able to save her from certain doom, well... you better see Roll on Texas Moon and find out.

Roll On Texas Moon is a decent entry in the Roy Rogers film catalog. The film finds him trying to stop a feud between the cattlemen and the sheepmen from tearing apart the neighborhood just like the differences used to do in the Old West days.

Roy's dad back in the day was big on getting rid of sheepmen by fair or foul means, but Roy has a live and let live attitude. So does Dale Evans who's aunt is Elizabeth Risdon, owner of a Sheep Ranch with the Old West name of Cactus Kate. She's more than a match for that grizzled old cattleman Gabby Hayes.

What I liked most about Roll On Texas Moon was the reteaming of the antagonists Hayes and Risdon from the John Wayne classic Tall In The Saddle. That one is one of my favorite Wayne films and there is a running rivalry between Hayes and Risdon. Hayes is his usual grizzled, bearded self, but Risdon in that film plays an eastern woman accompanying her niece. Gabby deals with her in the usual Gabby fashion there. Here in Roll On Texas Moon, Risdon is more than a match for Gabby, though in the end it's hinted there might be a little senior citizen romance in the offing.

Western fans especially B western aficionados will be somewhat taken aback by the presence of Dennis Hoey. The distinguished British actor best known for being Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard, probably grabbed at his chance to be in a western and add it to his list of credits.

The title song is a nice one, Roy recorded it back in the day and it suits him perfectly. So does this unpretentious B western from the factory owned by Herbert J. Yates known as Republic Pictures.

Using the age old conflict between cattle ranchers and sheepherders this film shines as one of my top five favorite Roy Rogers films. Dale Evans and George "Gabby" Hayes along with the Son's of the Pioneers join Roy. Another uncredited star in this film is a little lamb with a bow around it's neck and the pet of Dale's character. The first time the lamb sees cattleman Gabby, it falls in love with him. Much to his dismay it chases after him and the scenes of these two together are hilarious. Try to see the uncut version. Any Rogers film that is 55 minutes long has been cut! Hope you enjoy it as much as our family does!

Roy Rogers (as Roy Rogers) has to mediate a "war" between the Sheep Herders and the Cattle Ranchers. George "Gabby" Hayes (as Gabby) is followed around by a Little Lamb. Dale Evans (as Jill) needs saving. Bob Nolan and the "Sons of the Pioneers" are around. After a promising, scenic opening, with Elisabeth Risdon effective (as Kate), the film falls apart… while the camera follows the Little Lamb… who is following Gabby... The title song is sung to the Lamb. The film includes Lamb Songs and a Mexican Jumping Bean Song. The highlight is when Evans' out-of-control car plunges into a river; after Rogers fishes her out, the duo sweetly sing "Be a Friend of Mine".

** Roll on Texas Moon (1946) William Witney ~ Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Dale Evans

The plot to "Roll on Texas Moon" is very familiar if you've watched a bunch of B-westerns...and because it's such an overused plot, the film is a bit lazy. It also features a sacchariny-sweet dream sequence...another reason this film could never make a list of my favorite Roy Rogers pictures!

When the story begins, cattleman Gabby (Gabby Hayes) is accused of shooting a sheepherder. However, oddly, this element of the story seems to just stop and once the sheriff takes Gabby, he soon releases him and nothing more is said of this! Soon the scene changes to a meeting with a government official and Roy. Roy is being sent back to investigate the animosity that's sprung up between the sheep and cattle folks....and when I saw that one of the ranch hands at Dale's ranch was Francis McDonald, I KNEW he was one of the baddies. This is because McDonald is one of the most type-cast B-western actors of the day. He ALWAYS played villains...often the trusted #2 man behind the big boss baddie. He also LOOKED swarthy and evil. But who else is behind the growing animosity? See the film and find out for yourself...or not.

The dream sequence was awful. The plot was lazy. But I am not giving the film a lower score because I loved seeing Gabby and his new best friend...these scenes were very cute without being too cloying. Overall, a sub-par Roy Rogers film...mostly because it's all been said and done before by not just Rogers but several other cowboy stars.

By the way, if you want to see this film (and I am not strongly recommending you do), it's on YouTube AND it's the original full-length version, not a trimmed down for television print.