I occasionally like to watch old B-westerns...Roy Rogers, Buck Jones, Tim McCoy and Gene Autry. The Autry and Rogers films are different--a little less realistic and filled with lovely music. All can be quite enjoyable.
The story begins with a bunch of ranchers ganging up on Gene's father....a stubborn old guy who has the biggest ranch in the territory. The father responds by going into battle along with his men....but Gene is unwilling to fight as he thinks his dad is rushing too quickly and talking might end these problems. As a result, his father disowns him and Gene spends the next few years on his own. During this time, he pals up with three guys in a traveling medicine show.
Out of the blue, one of Gene's old friends, Harry Brooks, arrives. He's been shot and is on the run from the law. But Gene knows that Harry isn't the sort to harm anyone and he hides him....and eventually learns that at least one of the deputies is more interested in killing Brooks instead of bringing him to justice. But why??
A bit later, Gene returns home...only to learn that his father was murdered and Brooks is the man wanted for that killing! Again, Gene knows this cannot be the truth and he decides to investigate it with his friends.
"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is one of Gene Autry's best films and it's worth seeing for a variety of reasons. First, it's Republic Pictures' first release. Autry had been making films for Mascot...and in 1935, Mascot became Republic. Second, it's rare to see TWO top sidekicks in one of these films...but this one has both Smiley Burnette AND Gabby Hayes---two of the very best. I love both and here you get both. Third, the music is among Gene's best....and with his lovely voice, it's a real pleasure hearing the title song as well as "That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine". And, not surprisingly, Smiley sings a tune that is quite enjoyable....though he didn't use his frog-like singing voice in this one....just the normal singing voice.
Fortunately, the copy of this film I saw on my Roku was in pristine condition...something you can rarely say about any of these old B-westerns. It's currently on the Shout Factory channel...hopefully you'll be able to find it.
