Guns and Guitars

Although Guns and Guitars was of Gene Autry's earliest movies, it was also one of his best. This film laid the groundwork for how most of his movies were scripted. A combination of fists, gun play, and smarts were used to foil the villain. Unlike some of Autry's other movies, this one did not have any "idiot sidekick" moments. Smiley Burnette did have some humorous moments in the film, but nothing over the top. J.P. McGowan played a great villain as Morgan. Too bad, these two enormous talents, McGowan and Autry, didn't work together more often. The only negative for this movie was the bad editing in the main fight scene. Morgan amazingly goes from losing his hat to having it back on again and then surrendering to Autry with no gloves on and then having handcuffs put on him with his gloves back on again. Definitely, a must see.

A pleasant enough western, though there is just sufficient action footage — including some excellent stunt-work -- to get by with the fans. Oddly, there's also less music than usual. Most of the picture is taken up with the plot (a serviceable offering) and the machinations of personable villain J.P. McGowan. Even Smiley Burnette's opportunities are limited, though he does have a bill-posting run-in with Charles King (in the comparatively minor role of the villain's offsider's offsider) — a routine that was later used to greater advantage by Laurel and Hardy in "Air Raid Wardens" — and a splendid fade-out.

Dorothy Dix proves an innocuous heroine, but Tom London makes his villain a fascinating figure, whilst Earle Hodgins blusters away effectively as Professor Parker (we like his amusing encounter with Harrison Greene's fake veterinarian). Good old Jack Rockwell graces his customary role as the sheriff.

Kane's direction rates as efficient. Not his fault that a bit more gun-slinging and a lot more guitar-strumming was really needed to lift this western to top of the class. Photography and music scoring climb well up to standard. Production values nudge the excellent level, thanks to actual location shooting and plenty of extras milling about.

When the story begins, a group of thugs are trying to sneak a herd of cattle from Texas into the territory. This is a problem because there's been an outbreak of Texas Cattle Fever (caused by ticks on the cows). The sheriff's sister catches them...and they disarm her and take her prisoner. It's a good thing Gene and his friends are nearby, as they come to her rescue and hold the crooks for the sheriff. So far, the story is interesting...but then the dopey sheriff just lets the crooks go and tells them they'll have to pay a fine! Now remember....they took the sheriff's sister hostage...yet he just lets them go. No, he's not a crooked lawman...just a dumb one!

Later, the evil man who is OBVIOUSLY behind all this has the sheriff killed. Soon the guy is running a crooked campaign and he drives off the candidate running for sheriff. What's next? See the film.

This is a modestly enjoyable B-western. It doesn't always make sense but it's well made and the story involving. Not among Gene Autry's best...but still pretty good.