Bells of Rosarita

Dale Evans and her late father's longtime friend Gabby Hayes come to see Addison Richards at his ten-in-one. Grant Withers is claiming an unpaid debt to seize all the estate's property, but Richards remembers it being paid just before he sold his share of her father's show to him. The receipt would be in the safety deposit box the two of them kept at the bank. So they all head out to California and the family ranch, where the circus is being stored, as well as the orphaned children of circus performers. Republic Pictures is shooting a Roy Rogers western on the ranch, and it's called Bells of Rosarita. When Richards is kidnapped before he can get to the bank box, Roy sees the chance to play a cowboy hero in real life, so he calls up Republic's other western stars -- Bob Nolan being allergic to horses -- and....

The music is good, if not as good as in other Rogers vehicles, but it doesn't matter, with the reality-bending jokes and general good humor. Director Frank MacDonald may not have been Republic's best western director, but he was a pretty comedy one for handling comedy, and there's plenty of that here. With Adele Mara, the Robert Mitchell Boy's Choir, AND Bill Elliott, Alan Lane, Robert Livingston, and Sunset Carson.

In many of Roy Rogers' pictures, he plays characters named Roy or even Roy Rogers. In "Bells of Rosarita", however, he plays a fictional version of the movie cowboy star! Sounds confusing? I'll try to explain:

When the film starts, Gabby (Gabby Hayes...but he's NOT playing Gabby Hayes the actor...just a guy named Gabby) and Sue (Dale Evans) meet up and head west to Hollywood. On the way, they wander into the middle of the filming of a Roy Rogers film and they soon make friends with the gosh-darned nice actor. However, a jerk is trying to steal out the circus from underneath a nice lady. Roy responds by calling the other B-western stars from Republic Studios and they plan on putting on a charity event to help her.

It is a bit strange to see Roy playing an idealized version of the actor, Roy Rogers...and Dale and Gabby NOT playing themselves! Odd...but also interesting and fun...like most Rogers' films. And, while not among his best, it's quite good and great for his fans.

Janet Martin who is listed in the supporting cast credits, has no lines and appears in only one short scene in the film Bells of Rosarita shot within the film we are watching. She played the lovely bride in the marriage scene and though she had no dialogue sang beautifully while riding off from the wedding celebration. Roy Rogers enters the scene and carries her off while riding on his horse. Miss Martin, played Mexican girls in several films though she was actually of Russian descent. Adele Mara, who was also in one of the lead roles was of Mexican descent, but rarely if ever played a Mexican seniorita. Both, played polynesians in their roles in the film "Call of the South Seas."

Bells of Rosarita (1945)

*** (out of 4)

A rather original Western has Roy Rogers and Republic Pictures in a small town filming a movie when he gets involved with a young woman (Dale Evans) who is about to lose her property due to a bad debt of her dead father. It turns out that the father actually paid the debt but there's just no proof so Roy comes to the rescue with a bunch of other Republic cowboys (Don Berry, Bill Elliott, Bob Livingston, Sunset Carson, Allan Lane). Say what you want about the "B" Westerns but I think even the most jaded people would have to give this film credit for at least being original and fun. The entire set-up of the movie production added a real twist to an already familiar story and it took this movie to a new level. Had the film simply told the story of a pretty girl being cheated out of her land then that's really nothing new. Added to the story of a movie studio and real actors coming to the rescue was a neat little trick and really sealed the deal. I thought there were some funny moments where the film takes shots at movies, cowboy stars and that type of thing and we even get a funny joke aimed at John Wayne. As you'd expect, Rogers fits his role just fine and comes across very charming during the more tender scenes but also a real action star during the fights. He gets to sing several tunes including the title track, the catchy "I'm Going to Build a Big Fence Around Texas," and a highly entertaining sequence when we get "When the Circus Comes to Town." Evans, as usual, makes for a good lead lady and we get some nice support from the one and only Gabby Hayes. The other Republic cowboy stars just make cameos but it's nice seeing everyone together and it certainly adds to the film. BELLS OF ROSARITA isn't a John Ford masterpiece but it's quite fun with a good story, fun songs and some nice action.

Roy rogers, dale evans, and gabby hayes, of course. He was in just about every western ever made. When sue farnum inherits a circus, she tries to make a profit, in spite of those working against her! Lots of film within-a-film stuff. It's pretty dated at this point, but good to see the big stars of hollywood westerns. The boys choir sings a couple songs. Directed by frank mcdonald. He had started in talkies, then moved into television series. Story by jack townley. Songs by robert mitchell boy choir and sons of the pioneers. Under a blanket of blue by...dale evans! Roy sings "singing down the road". And in a bizarre bit, we see trigger's back end kind of swinging back and forth while roy sings. Weirdest thing ever. It's exactly what you expect from a roy rogers western. A sixty eight minute shortie from republic pictures.