Rim of the Canyon

Shortly after Gene Autry returned to the world of Western film-making following his wartime service, he left Republic Pictures, moving with his production company to Columbia where he enjoyed the greater fiscal capabilities of the larger studio, as can plainly be observed in this well-made melodrama that is marked by strong contributions from all involved, and that offers a storyline having precedence over Autry's former bedrock singing scenes, of which there are but two examples in this piece. Gene plays a double role, incorporating flashbacks as his sheriff father Steve who, 20 years prior, had arrested a trio of stagecoach bandits that are now prison escapees and have returned to their former hunting grounds, in the area where Gene owns a spread, to regain their secreted loot, and before this briskly-paced film has come to its closing, we may enjoy a scenario featuring an exciting stage coach race, a ghost ( naturally residing in a ghost town), a rampaging herd of wild horses, excellent stunt work, a romance (for which a homely schoolteacher abruptly blossoms), along with gunplay and superb horsemanship. The original story penned by Joseph Chadwick and published in the long-running pulp magazine "Western Aces" is adapted to a script by John K. Butler that improves upon it, adding elements that match the skills of those involved, including director John English who further tightens the work, cinematographer William Bradford, notable cameraman of equine fare, editor Aaron Stell (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD) who works closely with English, George Montgomery, whose designs are moodily effective for the ghost town interiors, Russell Malmgren with noteworthy sound mixing, in addition to the duo of Paul Malcolm (makeup) and Beth Langston (coiffeurs) who successfully bring about a metamorphosis of Ruth (Nan Leslie) from a plain, lovelorn spinster into an actual beauty; Leslie is impressive, as are future cinema Tarzan Jock Mahoney and rugged Walter Sande as hold-up men, and there are fine turns from old hands Thurston Hall, Alan Hale Jr., Clem Bevans, John McKee, Francis McDonald and Denver Pyle, while Champion Jr. must not be ignored, the Tennessee Walker's actions being fundamental to plot development.

Oddball Autry entry, from his limping into a ghost town, to a woman possessed by a ghost, to horse Champion doing everything but talking. Looks like Gene and Columbia were reaching for something different from the matinée formula.

What they come up with is an uneven but interesting storyline that jumps around quite a bit. Nonetheless, prolific director English sneaks in some unusual camera shots adding to the movie's generally exotic flavor. And catch leading lady Leslie riding around in what looks like an overflowing prom gown, along with a wild horse herd numbering in the thousands. And note the general absence of the usual comedy relief.

As a result, you can't be sure what will pop up next since Gene (the actor) also gets to play Gene's (the character) dad, Steve, and with a mustache, no less. Minimize a convoluted plot that plays around with three outlaws and a ghost trying to find a hidden thirty-thousand in gold. Nope, the real draw here is an exotically flavored programmer much less predictable than the usual matinée fare.

I have watched a ton of B-westerns lately--mostly those films by old reliable series stars like Roy Rogers, Tim McCoy, Hoot Gibson and Gene Autry. While they are fun and entertaining, a major problem about them is that all too often the plots are either VERY recycled and familiar or they just don't seem that important. Too often singing and formula seem THE most important thing about the films. However, sometimes these stars make a film that stands out because it's original--and "Rim of the Canyon" is such a movie.

The first thing you need to know is that NOTHING about the title has anything to do with the film! Don't worry--it's still good. The film begins with Gene in a wagon race with a very young Alan Hale, Jr.--and Hale sabotages Gene's wagon to win! As a result of his wagon falling apart, Gene is left stranded--and the nearest town is a ghost town. However, when he arrives he finds the local school teacher. It seems she loves the old place AND likes to come and talk with a ghost!! Gene naturally suspects it's not a ghost--and perhaps the lady is wacky! At around the same time, three evil criminals escape from prison. Not only did Gene's father capture them (which you see in a flashback) but while Gene is racing, they steel his beloved horse, Champion! Eventually, this Einstein-like horse escapes and the three desperadoes end up in this ghost town. Considering they have a deep hatred of Gene's dad, they decide to do the next best thing and kill Gene...and his friends. I say friends because in addition to the teacher (Nan Leslie), there is a goofy old man named 'Loco John' (Clem Bevans) and the 'ghost' (Thurston Hall)! All four face certain death unless SOMETHING happens to stop these baddies.

As you can see, the plot sure is different. But there were several things I liked about this in addition. Hall was simply great. You can't help but be charmed by his sweet character--and Bevans is his usual cantankerous character as well---and they both added a lot to the film. Leslie was also quite nice--playing a different sort of romantic lead--one who was odd but very likable and sexy. As for Gene, he was quite good because he was not so invulnerable as some cowboys--he takes a few licks but comes back swinging--and did a reasonable amount of his own stunts. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is the cliché of having Gene play his father in a flashback scene. Identical family members almost never occurs in real life--but is a common staple in B-movies! Still, if that's my biggest complaint, then I have no serious qualms about recommending this genuinely fun film. If you like the genre, see this movie!

By the way, if you do see this film, pay attention to what Champion does at the end of the movie. I have NEVER seen a horse do this sort of thing and it sure made for a dark but unique ending. See what I mean for yourself.

Rim Of The Canyon finds Gene Autry without a sidekick, usually a necessary character in the B western. But the film does make up for the lack of a Smiley Burnette or a Pat Buttram in it with a somewhat unusual story about a ghost town and a ghost.

Gene Autry comes to town to drive in a stagecoach race and learns of the escape of three convicts from prison, Walter Sande, Jock Mahoney, and Francis McDonald. Sande is someone that Gene's father, Marshal Steve Autry sent to prison for a $30,000.00 robbery from which the loot was never recovered. In a flashback sequence where Gene plays his father we see how the capture was made.

Getting thrown from the stagecoach and seeking shelter and help, Gene arrives in a ghost town where the local school marm has taken to spending some time. Nan Leslie is there fascinated by the ghost of a mining tycoon who haunts the place. She and Gene will need all the help they can get from this world and the next when the three escaped convicts arrive looking for the loot which by coincidence Sande stashed there.

With this glimpse into the supernatural, Rim Of The Canyon is a cut or two above the average B western. Gene was making them at this point for Columbia having left the cowboy stable of Republic and Herbert J. Yates. The stories and the treatment reflect that, there are some brutal scenes in Rim Of The Canyon that Yates would never have allowed his cowboy heroes to participate in.

Rounding out the cast in Rim Of The Canyon are Alan Hale, Jr. as Gene's rival in the stagecoach race, Thurston Hall as a very avuncular ghost who hosts Gene and Nan, and Clem Bevans playing his usual old codger prospector.

Gene wrote and sang the two songs from this film, the title song and one of his most enduring hits, You're The Only Star In My Blue Heaven.

A good western for Mr. Autry even if he didn't have a sidekick.

Convicts Jake Fargo (Walter Sande), Pete Reagon (Jack O'Mahoney) and Charlie Lewis (Francis McDonald) escape from jail and stumble across a horse race. There, they steal Champion, the faithful horse belonging to Gene Autry (Gene Autry). Making this even more personal for Gene is the fact that his father was the man who put these bandits in jail. Fargon, Reagon and Lewis go hunting for hidden loot, but Gene intends to stop them and get his friend Champion back.

Unusual Gene Autry that is atmospheric, dreamy yet still retaining some thrills in the form of gunplay, quite tough fistfights, stagecoach chase and a vengeful Champion meting out his justice at the end. The ghost town set design is well spooky, evoking enough atmosphere. It's an imaginative and well made western melodrama.