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4.0 out of 5 stars
America's Favourite Cowboy, May 1, 2003
This review is from: Gene Autry Collection - Rovin' Tumbleweeds (DVD)
In fact, Gene Autry was a huge favourite outside the USA too--there are Autry fans all over the world, even into the 21st century. From 1935 to 1953, except for during World War II when he signed up to serve his country, Gene starred in a series of western movies that delighted young and old. His films for Republic Pictures between 1935 and 1946, blended action, comedy, music and even a little romance--a combination that many found irresistable and made "The Singing Cowboy" a major box office star. In 1946, Gene signed on with Columbia, making films that still made good use of his musical talent, but that were more mature, with stronger plot-lines.
Of course, "Rovin' Tumbleweeds" is a Republic production, and while it is not in a class with "South of the Border", "Goldmine in the Sky" or "Colorado Sunset" for example, it is still very enjoyable. The plot involves desperate farmers, trying to hold on to their land, and crooked politicians who only want to line their own pockets--well, some things don't change much, do they ? Gene tries to help the farmers by going to Washington, where he encounters nothing but red tape. Of course, after some good songs--and a few punches--Gene gives us the inevitable happy ending. There are good supporting performances from Douglass Dumbrille, as the very "hissable" villain, and William Farnum as an old Senator.
As a life-long Autry fan, I am delighted to see that some of Gene's classic films are appearing on DVD. The picture quality is excellent. Thanks to Image more Autry titles are coming out, and I hope that this continues. My only question is that, in the case of Hopalong Cassidy, Image is including two titles per DVD--for Gene Autry, we only get one. Gene's films are not lengthy ( except for a few Columbias )--why not have two Autry films on each disc ?
Why was Gene Autry so popular ? Other movie cowboys were taller, handsomer, better actors, more convincing in action scenes etc.
Apart from possessing a singing voice that sold millions of records, my view is that people just loved Gene's personality--friendly, unpretentious yet charismatic. People simply liked the man, and what he represented. A small boy in England first saw Gene on the "Silver Screen" many years ago and immediately became a fan--I still am !
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5.0 out of 5 stars
"Gene Autry B-Western Series ... Rovin' Tumbleweeds (1939) ... Image Entertainment", July 16, 2007
This review is from: Gene Autry Collection - Rovin' Tumbleweeds (DVD)
Republic Pictures present "ROVIN' TUMBLEWEEDS" (1939) (63 mins/B&W)(Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- relive those thrilling days when the "First Singing Cowboy" Gene Autry took us down the dusty trails with hard riding and straight shooting hitting the bull's eye with excitement every time ... the Gene Autry series of B-Westerns were a staple of Saturday matinees in the 1930s and 1940s ... don't miss any of the Singing Cowboy's Gene Autry features loaded with action that will leave you wanting more of his B-Western adventures
Under George Sherman (Director), Betty Burbridge (original screenplay), Dorrell McGowan (original screenplay), Stuart E. McGowan (original screenplay), William A. Berke (Producer), William Nobles (Cinematographer), Tony Martinelli (Editor), Raoul Krushaar (Musical Supervisor) --- released November 16,1939 --- our story has Gene heading for Washington D.C. to fight for flood control. He manages to uncover corruption , sings some songs, and become a champion rodeo rider on the weekends --- Mary Carlisle is sprightly and engaging as a girl reporter who gradually warms up to Gene and ends up as his biggest fan --- Gene, Smiley Burnette, and the Pals of the Golden West perform "Paradise in the Moonlight," "Ole Peaceful River," Rovin' Tumbleweeds," and Gene introduces his classic theme song "Back in the Saddle Again".
the cast includes
Gene Autry ... Gene Autry
Smiley Burnette ... Frog Millhouse
Mary Carlisle ... Mary Ford
Douglass Dumbrille ... Stephen Holloway
Pals of the Golden West ... Singers
William Farnum ... Sen. Timothy Nolan
Lee 'Lasses' White ... Storekeeper
Ralph Peters ... Satchel
Gordon Hart ... Congressman Fuller
Victor Potel ... Man in store (as Vic Potel)
Jack Ingram ... Blockade boss
Sammy McKim ... Eddie
Reginald Barlow ... Higgins
Eddie Kane ... Congressman
Guy Usher ... Mr. Craig, Mary's Boss
Ed Cassidy ... Sheriff
Eddie Dean ... Cowhand singer
Frank Ellis ... Angry rancher
Jack Kirk ... Jailbird
Kermit Maynard ... Rancher
Art Mix ... Brawler
Horace Murphy ... Jailer
Bud Osborne ... Man who announces jobs
David Sharpe ... Reporter
Forrest Taylor ... Casey, a Migrant
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones ... Porter
Slim Whitaker ... Migrant
BIOS:
1. Gene Autry
Date of Birth: 29 September 1907 - Near Tioga, Texas
Date of Death: 2 October 1998 - Studio City, Los Angeles, California
Special footnote, Orvon Gene Autry was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television --- Discovered by film producer Nat Levine in 1934, he and Burnette made their film debut for Mascot Pictures Corp. "In Old Santa Fe" as part of a singing cowboy quartet; he was then given the starring role by Levine in 1935 in the 12-part serial "The Phantom Empire" --- Shortly thereafter, Mascot was absorbed by the formation of Republic Pictures Corp. and Autry went along to make a further 44 films up to 1940, all B westerns in which he played under his own name, rode his horse Champion, had Burnette as his regular sidekick and had many opportunities to sing in each film --- Autry became the top Western star at the box-office by 1937, reaching his national peak of popularity from 1940 to 1942. His Gene Autry Flying "A" Ranch Rodeo show debuted in 1940 --- Gene Autry is the only celebrity to have five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one in each of the five categories maintained by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce --- Radio, Films, Recordings, Television and Live Theater.
2. Smiley Burnette
Date of Birth: 18 March 1911 - Summum, Illinois
Date of Death: 16 February 1967 - Encino, California
Second special footnote, Lester Alvin (Smiley) Burnette an American singer-songwriter who could play as many as 100 different musical instruments, was a successful comedy actor in Western films over three decades --- The popularity of Burnette's Frog Millhouse character, with his trademark floppy black hat, was such that when Autry left for World War II service he did sidekicks duties with Eddie Dew, Sunset Carson and Bob Livingston, plus nine other films with Roy Rogers. After leaving Republic Pictures in 1944, Burnette became the sidekick to Charles Starrett at Columbia Pictures in the long Durango Kid series. Starrett starred in the series from 1944 until 1952, and that pairing resulted in more than 50 films. After the Starrett series was over, Burnette joined Autry for his final six films, all released by Columbia Pictures in 1953.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Reminiscing with Gene Autry and Pat Buttram at the "Melody Ranch Theater"
2. "Don't Touch That Dial", Gene Autry is on the air - excerpts from the Original "Melody Ranch Radio Show"
3. Production and Publicity Stills
4. Horseplay
5. Poster and lobby Card Art
6. Trivia and Movie Facts
7. Original Press Kit Material
Check out a new book "Those Great Cowboy Sidekicks" by David Rothel, available from Amazon and Empire Publishing. . . Empire Publishing presents "Best of the Badmen", by Boyd Magers, Bob Nareau and Bobby Copeland telling the inside story in depth about some of the bad guys, the heavy and the villain who rode against the law and the heroes of our B-Westerns era --- also a complete account of "Roy Barcroft:King of the Badmen", which is the title of Bobby J. Copeland's book on the life and times of "Republic Pictures Number One Villain" --- pick up your copy today.
Hats off and thanks to Les Adams (collector/guideslines for character identification), Chuck Anderson (Webmaster: The Old Corral/B-Westerns.Com), Boyd Magers (Western Clippings), Bobby J. Copeland (author of "Trail Talk"), Rhonda Lemons (Empire Publishing Inc), Bob Nareau (author of "The Real Bob Steele") and Trevor Scott (Down Under Com) as they have rekindled my interest once again for Film Noir, B-Westerns and Serials --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era of the '20s, '30s & '40s and B-Westerns ... order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- stay tuned once again for top notch action mixed with deadly adventure --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Image Entertainment where they are experts in releasing B-Westerns --- all my heroes have been cowboys!
Total Time: 63 min on DVD ~ Image Video #4010. ~ (3/25/2003)
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