Bells of San Angelo

Did I see the movie correctly, or did Roy shoot Dale twice with a loaded gun! At least her white blouse showed no blood. After seeing that, I'm really glad that the famous cowboy couple got permanently hitched at the end of '47. In fact, there're a number of unexpected touches in this well-produced Rogers oater, including a baddie who actually grieves over his dead pet bird - how's that for humanizing a bad guy. Then too, looks like Republic popped a hefty budget for this Rogers programmer. The scenic Nevada buttes are a dramatic and eye-catching plus. And get a load of that strung-out silver mine clinging to the mountainside like a giant caterpillar.

So, can Roy, Devine, and Dale stop the smugglers from tunneling silver ore from the Mexico side of the border to the US side where it brings in a lot more dough. Those underground scenes in the cross-border tunnel are grimly well-staged. Meanwhile a really paunchy Sheriff Devine gets to throw his weight around in more than just comedic style -- so watch out bad guys. Meanwhile, the lovely Dale has a more meaningful plot role than usual, as a writer, no less. Then too, there's plenty of hard riding and fast shooting, along with flying fists that may surprise you (it did me). On the brief downside is a loose narrative, and maybe too few songs from the delightful Sons of the Pioneers.

All in all, its a nifty Rogers oater with a number of unusual touches. Also, it looks like Republic was maybe looking for a series uplft. So Front-Row guys and geezers, don't pass it up.

This is one of the last good Roy Rogers films, before they started recycling stories and churning them out a mile a minute. The plot is interesting and keeps you interested. The film isn't too long (about 1h20) and doesn't drag at all. The songs aren't too bad, and the absolutely *adorable* Dale Evans has lots of screen time;) Andy Devine was amusing as the sheriff, much more amusing than many of the later comic relief sidekicks, and Roy Rogers was at his best, in voice and in character.

Overall: One of the few colour Rogers films worth seeing; not the best of them, but most certainly nowhere near the worst (though I'm not much of a fan of the genre;). Entertaining, and worth seeing at least once. And, of course, Andy might be Devine , but Dale Evans is *divine*!!;) 7/10.

I've never been a fan of Roy's, even while I watched his 1950s TV

show as a kid. I wanted to buy one RR movie, just to see if I had

changed my mind about his films. I picked this one because a

couple of sources had stated that this was his best film, & was

"tougher" than most of his films. I don't like songs with my

westerns, so of course there was far too much music for my taste

here (I lost count at seven). The comedy, supplied by Andy Devine,

was pretty good (& actually quite funny near the end of the film), a

big improvement over Smiley Burnett, but nowhere near as good

as Gabby Hayes. Dale was OK as the heroine, & better than I

thought she would be, a better actor than her husband. Indeed,

there were a couple of very gritty fight scenes where RR took a

beating (& surprisingly, this was acknowledged in later scenes

where he was seen with bruises). But overall, not an exciting

experience for me. The plot was weak & the music disconnected

what little action there was. For the sake of comparison, I'm going

to try a very small dose of Gene Autry before going back to the

greatest of all cowboy stars, William Boyd!

To all of my learned comrades that posted comments insulting the late, great Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, I say from the bottom of my pea-picking, reminiscing-good old days heart, PPPPPPTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! I honestly do realize that the color quality isn't exactly top shelf, most of the acting is sub-par & the plots are tissue paper transparent, but who gives a horses saddle bag? I love each and every dusty one of them. And this includes the 50s TV show with sidekick Pat Brady and Nellie Belle the jeep. Yes, Gaby Hayes is the best sidekick ever! I grew up watching R.R. He brought to the youth of my time, "truth, justice & the American way"! I stole that quote, by the way. It brings me back to my childhood, which I guess was worse than these movies were. Maybe that is why I enjoyed them so much. PapaLarry H

The usual, routine, singing cowboy stuff from Roy Rogers as he is sent to investigate some shenanigans at a ranch on the US/Mexican border. The film really belongs to Andy Devine as "Sheriff Cookie"; the enthusiastic, if not desperately competent local sheriff who alongside trashy-journalist "Lee Madison" (Dale Evans) has to help Rogers get to the bottom of it all. Fritz Lieber adds a wee bit of weight to the proceedings, and if you like songs with your westerns then this is no better or worse than the norm. The story is far, far too thin for 80 minutes though, an hour would have easily sufficed.