Carolina Moon

This Autry-Republic entry is more plot-heavy than most. Basically, however, it's the standard matinée premise of baddies trying to swindle land from honest owners. Here, however, the conflict is transferred to southern plantation owners, plus a thoroughbred (Champion) whose ownership keeps changing hands. Nonetheless, Republic works in some good rodeo footage, plus a steeplechase race, of all things. No fast shooting or much hard riding for action fans. Still, there's the big fists and clubs battle at the end. Lots of good songs, especially the Stephen Foster "Old Folks at Home" sung traditional style by a Black folk chorus. Some good bits by Frog Burnette without being buffoonish, and I really like spunky little Mary Lee who's also something of a delightful songbird. All in all, it's excellent Autry entertainment, despite the Negro stereotypes of the time.

A "7" on the matinée rating scale.