Hollywood Barn Dance

This is a perfectly adequate movie version of Ernest Tubbs' then-popular radio show: a few country-western songs, a few cornball jokes and enough plot to cover the corners. I'm a banjo player myself (a rather bad one) and find the music a little oddly calculated; they seem to use a Hawaiian guitar when they should be using a Dobro and the songs tend to be dolorous for western swing, except for the seemingly inevitable harmonica solo.

Writer/director Bernard Ray had been a big noise in Gower Gulch, in the 1930s, writing, producing and directing but his career was winding down, even though he was only in his early fifties. He would direct only four more pictures over the next dozen years before dying in 1964. It shows in the production values: cheaply decorated sets.

The net result is about what you'd expect. If you're a fan of the music, you'll have a good time. If not, then not so much.

I tuned in mainly out of curiosity about how country music was being portrayed after the war. I can't speak to the music's authenticity, but the tunes were generally entertaining for a layman like me. The plot's a standard one of talented folks rising to musical stardom, plus a good glimpse of early Las Vegas, along the way. As a non-actor Tubbs does pretty well in that department, but much better as the lead singer. Most of the dialog, however, is carried by familiar face Earle Hodgins as the band's fast-talking promoter. There's the inevitable comedy relief (Boyce) and a couple of novelty acts between band numbers,(and catch that shapely rope twirler!), but nothing special. All in all, the movie's a pleasant little diversion despite being a cheaply mounted independent production.