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Saga of Death Valley [VHS]

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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....

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.

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.

A lot of Roy Rogers action. As always Roy is at his best.
The quality and sound are great.

The DVD is great as is the sound. Another fine Roy Rogers movie you
will enjoy.

This movie did NOT feature the famous actress Doris Day, it was some other person. It should have been mentioned in the description that this was not the popular actress who starred in films with Rock Hudson, etc.

Republic Pictures present "SAGA OF DEATH VALLEY" (22 November 1939) (56 mins/B&W) (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 Joseph Kane (Director / Producer), Stuart Anthony (Screenwriter), Karen de Wolf (Screenwriter), Jack A. Marta (Cinematographer), Cy Feuer (Musical Direction/Supervision), Les Orlebeck (Editor) - - - - - - Our story line and plot, our hero Roy Rogers under an assumed name returns home to avenge the murder of his father fifteen years ago --- When he finally exposes the killer, Roy learns that his brother is the killer's main henchman --- Don "Red" Barry as the outlaw and brother gives this oater an extra punch, great performance from the young Barry --- some wonderful tunes, SONG OF THE BANDIT, SHADOWS ON THE PRAIRIE, RIDE and I'VE SOLD MY SADDLE FOR AN OLD GUITAR.

the cast includes
Roy Rogers ... Roy Rogers
Trigger ... "Smartest Horse in the Movies"
George 'Gabby' Hayes ... Gabby Whittaker
Don 'Red' Barry ... Jerry (as Donald Barry)
Doris Day ... Ann Meredith
Frank M. Thomas ... Ed Tasker
Jack Ingram ... Henchman Brace
Wally Wales ... Henchman Rex (as Hal Taliaferro)
Lew Kelly ... Meredith
Fern Emmett ... Miss Minnie
Tommy Baker ... Roy as a boy
Buz Buckley ... Tim as a boy
Johnny Bond ... Singer (Jimmy Wakely and His Rough Riders)
Ed Brady ... Cowhand Ben
Roy Bucko ... Henchman
Fred Burns ... Rancher Wilson
Horace B. Carpenter ... Man at party
Lane Chandler ... Roy's father
Jim Corey ... Henchman
Art Dillard ... Henchman
Peter Fargo ... Phillips
Joe Garcia ... Henchman
Jimmy Wakely and His Rough Riders ... Singers
Cactus Mack ... Mississippi
Frankie Marvin ... Cowhand Bart
George Montgomery ... Henchman
Horace Murphy ... Station Agent Pete

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. George 'Gabby' Hayes (aka: George Francis Hayes)
Date of Birth: 7 May 1885 - Wellsville, New York
Date of Death: 9 February 1969 - Burbank, 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), Bob Nareau (author of "The Real Bob Steele") and Trevor Scott (Down Under DVD 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 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: 56 min on DVD ~ Republic Pictures ~ (11/13/2006)