Product Details

• Actors: Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Don 'Red' Barry, Doris Day, Frank M. Thomas
• Directors: Joseph Kane
• Writers: Karen DeWolf, Stuart Anthony
• Producers: Joseph Kane
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Celebrity Home Enter
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1987
• Run Time: 58 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300158608
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,565 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Saga, December 29, 2009

By 

Roberta Manzitto (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saga of Death Valley (DVD)

This DVD is good for Roy Roger fans... However, the DORIS DAY in this movie is NOT the Doris Day who played in Pillow Talk. Putting this DVD in Her movie sections was misleading. It is NOT Doris Day the ICON-- the world's best singer, dancer, comedic and dramatic actress....

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Classic Western Movie, April 19, 2009

By 

Acute Observer (N. Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saga Of Death Valley (DVD)

Saga of Death Valley

The film begins with two children talking about marriage. Two riders arrive at a house, one settle a dispute over property. A young boy is abducted; he saw the murder. Roy picks up his father's revolver. Later we see a gang with that young boy grown up. The train comes in on time, and a new boss arrives to take charge of the Circle R ranch. Tasker owns lands and the water rights, and charges for protection. Tasker has a plan to throw a party so there will be few guards over Reynolds' cattle that night. Does one man know too much? The bandits attack the cowboys guarding the cattle, the stolen cattle will be taken across the border. Some men talk about peace with Tasker, they don't want a war. There is dancing and music at the party. Tasker tells Reynolds that paying for protection has other benefits. But Reynolds will gain only when the others lose. Ann advises Reynolds to lead the opposition. The hired hand protest their lack of pay. Reynolds agrees to fight the local ruler.

Tasker wants to find the leader of this opposition. His men raid a homestead. But the opposition rides in, shooting to drive them off. [Are pistols effective at those distances?] Roy sees something in Jerry. Will Ann sell her ranch and move away? Tasker surmises who leads the opposition, and plans a meeting at his saloon that night. Tasker plans to blow up the dam to deprive the people of water. Roy plans to prevent their sabotage and save the people, but he must escape to warn the others. Will the riders be able to defeat Tasker's gang? Shots are fired. Tasker calls a retreat, they are outnumbered. There is a final meeting where Tasker reveals a truth and meets his fate. There is a final scene with singing and music to end this morality play. Will they live happily ever after? Or be affected by the Panic of 1907?

This is a classic western story where the small ranchers are threatened by the large rancher who wants to take over their property by one means or another. Only by uniting can the majority withstand the threats from a powerful minority. This must have been popular with the audiences of that day. Note how this echos real-world events of that time.

5.0 out of 5 stars Uniting Against Oppression, December 5, 2010

By 

Acute Observer (N. Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saga of Death Valley [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Saga of Death Valley, 1939 movie

The movie begins with a young boy and girl talking by a stream. Two riders approach Mr. Rogers' ranch, a pistol shot settles a conflict over property claims. A child saw this so he is kidnapped. The older boy arrives to find his dead Dad. Young Jerry rides with Uncle Ed now. A train arrives at the tiny village of Sundown bringing Roy Reynolds, the new owner of the "Circle R" ranch, from Wyoming. Ed Tasker owns the water company and provides protection against marauders from across the border. Tasker controls the law, he picked the sheriff. People don't dare speak out against this feudal system. The party at the Reynolds ranch will leave his cattle lightly guarded. Tasker owns the saloon in town. Jerry's gang rustles the cattle. Back at the ranch there is talk about fighting Tasker. One man wants peace at any price. [A comment on world politics?] Gabby and Miss Minnie dance a waltz. Tasker drops by to offer his protection and water. Then a cowboy rides up to tell of the stolen cattle. Miss Ann explains why some of the men won't fight: they are too old or have a family. The people need a leader to stand against Tasker. Roy's cowhands are dissatisfied. A leaflet calls for joining with others for self-protection.

Tasker wants to discover the leader, and put fear into the people again. Riders raid the Meredith ranch and shoot the owner. But they are attacked by a committee of regulators and driven away. Roy catches up to Jerry and they fight, then Roy quits. Tasker wants to keep the pressure on the ranchers. He suddenly add two and two. Gabby brings a warning to Roy. Tasker's men are meeting at the saloon. Did one man see omens of bad luck? Tasker wants to blow up the Sundown Dam, and eliminate his competition. A black cat drops on the table! Roy escapes, and is pursued by Tasker's men. Can they save the Sundown Dam? The opposing forces meet at the dam, Tasker's men are outnumbered and retreat. Tasker and Jerry will flee across the border after gathering up the loot. But Roy surprises them! Tasker tells Roy that Jerry is Tim Rogers, his younger brother. Jerry now remembers this, and has a final conversation with Mr. Tasker. "Its been a long time, Roy." There is a song for the ending. "Dern persnickety women!" says Gabby. Roy asks Ann "Happy?". You can assume these two ranch owners will combine their property holdings soon.

Setting this story in 1905 shouldn't mislead you in its relevance in 1939. Collective security was a topic in the news. Should the ranch owners unite in opposition to their oppressor? Or should they choose peace with an escalating price? The solution of an alliance against aggression seems to work here.