On the Old Spanish Trail

A Rogers oddity since he shares action and songs with Mexican leading man Tito Guizar. It's still a good horse opera as long as you don't try to figure out the plot, which has to compete with two love stories. Frazee makes a charming substitute for Dale Evans, but Estelita acts like she's had at least one hot tamale too many. There's plenty of action and some good hard riding from Roy and Trigger. Plus solid comedy relief from the one-and-only Andy Devine, along with A-list villianry from the jut-jawed Charles McGraw. Then too, it's easy to see why the likable Guizar was so popular south of the border. Still, I'm a bit puzzled by the odd pairing of the two leading men—was Republic trying a different formula for Roy's Saturday matinees. Oh well, whatever, it's still a lively musical western of the sort they don't make anymore.

In order to keep The Sons Of The Pioneers' equipment from being repossessed, Roy Rogers, Bob Nolan and the boys attempt to pull off a lucrative joint appearance and claim a reward on a not-very-dangerous outlaw known as The Spanish Gypsy.

A featherweight adventure, there isn't much to recommend this time around. Songs are less than memorable, even Roy's featured song, a duet of "My Adobe Hacienda". Action, suspense and (real) romance are almost non-existent until the finale.

With Dale Evans missing in action, sidekick Andy Devine not given much to do and Trigger spending most of his time grazing, this is recommended only for the most die-hard Rogers fan.

With "The Great Southwestern Tent Show" in town, cowboy king Roy Rogers (as Roy Rogers) learns a featured attraction, his singing "Sons of the Pioneers" pals, have a $10,000 I.O.U. debt due. From sleepwalking constable Andy Devine (as Cookie Bullfincher), Mr. Rogers learns about a convenient $10,000 reward for the capture of a bandit known as "The Gypsy". Rogers wants to capture the Spanish outlaw, and pay off his friends' debt. But, Rogers' target, Tito Guízar (as Rico), may not be the guiltiest gun in the west…

This colorful "cross-over" western for singing cowboys Rogers and Mr. Guízar is better than "The Gay Ranchero" (1948), a similar vehicle. Pretty Dale Evans stand-in Jane Frazee (as Candy Martin) arouses romantic feelings in both men; she has an amusing introductory scene, with Rogers collecting her undergarments from a fallen suitcase - watch as he holds her slip in his teeth! Estelita Rodriguez (as Lola) is memorable. The songs are smooth and forgettable, except for Ms. Rodriguez' lively "Guadalajara". The ending is well staged.

***** On the Old Spanish Trail (1947) William Witney ~ Roy Rogers, Tito Guízar, Estelita Rodriguez

I believe this film was my very first RR film, followed by The Far Frontier, which convinced me that the only cowboy hero to emulate for me was Roy Rogers. Why else would they call him "King of the Cowboys." I do recall having the 78 rpm record of the title song and memorizing the words. On the flip side was "I've Got A Feelin' (that somebody's stealing my darling). While I have only seen the truncated b&w version, I know that there is a fight scene missing from where Tito Guizar is recovering from a gunshot wound and the heavies want to take him back to town for the reward. Roy intercedes and there is a fight resulting in a fall into a nearby lake. This scene is included in the original trailer which is available along with other B westerns on video. I particularly like the song "Here is my helping hand" done by the Sons of the Pioneers which expressed their willingness to help out Roy in a crisis. Hopefully they will release the complete edition on DVD so that younger generations can appreciate a typical Saturday afternoon RR western.

I must have seen the longer version, because I had no trouble following the plot. I liked the music and the comedy. After seeing Tito Guizar here and in "The Gay Ranchero", I will be looking for him in other films! Charming!