Republic Pictures presents "THE GRAND CANYON TRAIL" (15 November 1948) (67 mins/B&W/Color) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- Roy Rogers (born Leonard Slye) moved to California in 1930, at the age of 18 --- played in such musical groups as The Hollywood Hillbillies, Rocky Mountaineers, Texas Outlaws and his own group, the International Cowboys --- In 1934 he formed a group with Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer called "Sons of the Pioneers" --- While in that group he was known as Leonard Slye, then Dick Weston and finally Roy Rogers --- Their songs included "Cool Water" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" --- They first appeared in the western "Rhythm on the Range" (1936), starring Bing Crosby --- In 1937 Roy went solo and made his first starring film in 1938, "Under Western Stars" (1938) --- He made almost 100 films --- then came television, "The Roy Rogers Show" (1951) ran on CBS from October 1951 through September 1964.
Under William Witney (Director), Edward J. White (Producer), Gerald Geraghty (Screenwriter), Reggie Lanning (Cinematographer), Morton Scott (Musical Direction/Supervision), Tony Martinelli (Editor), Frank Hotaling (Art Director) - - - - Our story line and plot, A crooked mining engineer attempts to get control of a silver mine in which Roy's friends have invested heavily --- Knowing the mine contains a rich vein of silver, the engineer and his henchmen use murder to get what they want --- Next to Dale Evans, Jane Frazee as the prairie heroine gives a talented and wonderful performance --- Our villain in this oater is none other than Robert Livingston, usually a hero brings out the hero in Roy --- Old time movie fans will recognize Laurel & Hardy's old foil Jimmy Finlayson as the sheriff --- Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage replace The Sons of the Pioneers in this one --- Jane Frazee in the Dale Evans role and Andy Devine as "Cookie" round out the cast --- Take note the supporting cast - Robert Livingston, who only a few short years before had been Republic's up and coming star, plays the chief villain. He is probably best remembered for his role as Stoney Brooke in the "Three Mesquiteer Series" --- In the best Witney tradition, Livingston murders a helpless old prospector --- Roy Barcroft is along as Livingston's chief henchman who always gives his best in any Republic oater --- some wonderful tunes, COLORADO JOE -- GRAND CANYON TRAIL -- THE RUNAWAY MARE -- EVERYTHING'S GOING MY WAY.
the cast includes
Roy Rogers ... Roy Rogers
Trigger ... "Smartest Horse in the Movies"
Jane Frazee ... Carol Martin aka Carol Vanderpool
Andy Devine ... Cookie Bullfincher
Robert Livingston ... Bill Regan
Roy Barcroft ... Dave (Regan henchman)
Charles Coleman ... J. Malcolm Vanderpool
Emmett Lynn ... Old Ed
Ken Terrell ... Mike (Regan henchman)
James Finlayson ... Sheriff
Tommy Coats ... Henchman
Foy Willing ... Singer, Rancher
Riders of the Purple Sage ... Musicians, Ranchers
Scotty Harrel ... Musician (Riders of Purple Sage)
Zon Murray ... Gary (Regan henchman)
Al Sloey ... Singer (Riders of the Purple Sage)
BIOS:
1. Roy Rogers (aka: Leonard Franklin Slye)
Date of Birth: 5 November 1911 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Date of Death: 6 July 1998 - Apple Valley, California
2. Andy Devine
Date of Birth: 7 October 1905, Flagstaff, Arizona
Date of Death: 18 February 1977, Orange, California
3. William Witney (Director)
Date of Birth: 15 May 1915 - Lawton, Oklahoma
Date of Death: 17 March 2002 - Jackson, California
Check out a new book from Empire Publishing - "THE ROY ROGERS BOOK: A REFERENCE TRIVIA SCRAPBOOK" (Paperback) --- reference trivia scrapbook of Roy Rogers written by Western film historian David Rothel whose accounts of thrilling adventures of B-Western heroes during the Saturday matinees of yesteryear takes us back to our childhood, family and friends --- this is a wish come true, reliving those wonderful years from the past through the pen of David Rothel --- Roy was a top box office draw for Republic Pictures when you went to see him on the big screen, you got exactly what the marquee said --- plenty of thrills, action and hard riding with a song or two thrown in for good measure --- Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980 as a member of the "Sons of the Pioneers" and elected again in 1988 as Roy Rogers "King of the Cowboys" --- Roy got his horse "Trigger" in 1938 and rode him in every one of his films and TV shows after that --- "Trigger" died in 1965 age of thirty-three --- Roy's dog's name was "Bullet" and appeared in almost as many of his films as "Trigger" did --- Roy's theme song, "Happy Trails", was written by Queen of the West and his wife Dale Evans --- inducted (with his wife Dale Evans) into the "Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum" in 1976 --- inducted as a member of the "Sons of the Pioneers into the "Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum" in 1995 just three years before his death --- Don't miss this one --- now appearing on Amazon and Empire Publishing --- Don't hesitate - rush out and pick up your copy today --- Great reading in the days and weeks to come --- I guarantee it!
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) and Bob Nareau (author of "The Real Bob Steele") 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 musical adventure --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Amazon where they are experts in releasing B-Westerns --- all my heroes have been cowboys!
Total Time: 67 mins on VHS/DVD ~ Republic Pictures ~ (4/13/2007)
