Contrary to popular image, Roy Rogers did not spend his entire screen career in flowery shirts, strumming a guitar and singing to his horse.
The particular films responsible for that image cover only about three of his 14 years spent as a star at Republic Pictures.Rogers, who died Monday at age 86, deserves to be remembered for more than headlining what one critic dubbed Western operettas.
After making his starring debut in "Under Western Stars" (1938), Rogers spent the next four years in "frontier dramas," some often set against the backdrop of the Civil War or the settling of old California.
After Republic studio head Herbert J. Yates saw Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" on Broadway, he returned to Hollywood with what he thought was a grand idea. He'd put Rogers and his then new leading lady, Dale Evans, in a series of "Oklahoma!"-like Westerns.
Thus, in many of Rogers' films from 1944 to early 1946, you'll find big production numbers that were more suited for Astaire and Rogers than Evans and Rogers.
That all changed in mid-1946, when director William Witney was assigned to the Roy Rogers unit.
Witney, noted for his fast-paced, action-packed serials, had recently returned from the sobering experience of World War II. He immediately set out to change the course of the Rogers films. The musical content gradually diminished, Roy's wardrobe became more practical and the story lines became more serious.
And, unlike many B Westerns, when someone was punched or shot in a Witney film, the blood flowed in brilliant reds. Rogers, too, had developed into a more mature performer. When he talked tough, you believed him. Those who were weaned on the tamer Roy Rogers TV show might be jolted by these movies.
Witney directed Rogers' last 27 Republic films, 19 of them in the studio's Trucolor process.
Unfortunately, Rogers' first 67 Republic movies fell into public domain years ago and those that can be found on video are usually old prints that range from OK to downright unwatchable. Many are available in abbreviated lengths because they were all trimmed to 54 minutes when they were released to television in the mid-1950s. That's quite a hatchet job when you consider that many of Rogers' films ran anywhere from 70 to 79 minutes.
At least eight of his final 14 films have been digitally remastered and released by Republic Home Video and are currently priced at $9.99.
If you search, many of the earlier Rogers movies can be found priced anywhere from $3.99 to $12.99.
Here are the recommended Roy Rogers films from the William Witney era:
- "Bells of San Angelo" (1947): Generally considered the first of the somewhat grim Rogers entries. In this one, Roy's a border patrolman after a ruthless gang of silver smugglers. Destroying the myth that the cowboy hero could take on four or five baddies at one time, Roy is brutally beaten by several thugs in one sequence. This marks Andy Devine's first appearance as Cookie Bullfincher. Available in color from numerous video sources in prints of varying quality. Check the running time. This one originally ran 78 minutes.
- "Springtime in the Sierras" (1947): The cold-hearted Stephanie Bachelor leads a gang of animal poachers who have been killing game out of season. Roy is called in to investigate by old Cap Foster, who runs a wildlife preserve. In a scene that'll make you flinch, Cap is gunned down by Bachelor at point blank range. Features an exciting climax. No color prints are known to exist on video. Original running time: 75 minutes.
- "Eyes of Texas" (1948): Francis Ford (John's brother) plays the owner of a ranch for boys who lost their parents during World War II. But a female lawyer and her henchman are out to grab the ranch. This one caused some outcry among teachers and parents because it features a tense sequence in which Ford is attacked and murdered by a vicious pack of wolves, owned by the lawyer. Too, Rogers again is beaten almost senseless by four thugs and also has to survive an attack by the wolves. No color prints are known to exist on video. Original running time: 70 minutes.
- "The Far Frontier" (1948): A particularly somber effort. Robert Strange and Roy Barcroft, both viciously evil, lead a ring that is smuggling criminals back into the U.S. from Mexico. They transport their human cargo in oil drums. Once they collect the fees, the two delight in dumping the tightly sealed drums, with men still inside, into a lake. When Roy gets too close to the truth, he is captured and also stuffed into a drum. How he escapes and eventually triumphs makes for a fast-paced, exciting climax. No color prints are known to exist on video. Original running time: 67 minutes. Republic Home Video has released a 54-minute version.
- "The Golden Stallion" (1949): A somewhat gentler outing, although it has its share of bloody brawls. When Trigger is accused of murder, Roy takes the rap and is sentenced to three years in prison. He gets out in time, though, to round up a gang of diamond smugglers. Color. Running time: 67 minutes. Republic Home Video.
- "Bells of Coronado" (1950): An insurance company hires Roy to investigate the murder of the owner of the Coronado mine, which yields rich deposits of uranium ore. Once there, the King of the Cowboys uncovers a plot to smuggle the ore out of the U.S. for the purpose of selling it to a foreign power. You'd think by now smugglers would have learned it didn't pay to mess with Roy Rogers. Color. Running time: 67 minutes. Republic Home Video.
- "Trigger Jr." (1950): Trouble begins when bad guy Grant Withers and his Range Patrol attempt to sell protection to a group of ranchers. Those who refuse get a night visit from a mysterious killer white stallion. Roy has some anxious moments when Trigger is blinded after a fight with the stallion. Color. Running time: 68 minutes. Republic Home Video.
- "North of the Great Divide" (1950): Roy is sent to the Northwest to assist an Indian tribe that has been accused of causing problems for a newly built salmon factory. It turns out the real villains are the factory owner (the evil Barcroft, again) and his low-down assistant, who enjoys beating Indians with his whip. Roy, of course, brings the gang to justice but not before he becomes involved in a blood-soaked bullwhip fight that would have made Lash LaRue proud. Color. Running time: 67 minutes. Republic Home Video.
Other recommended Rogers features:
"Billy the Kid Returns" (1938), "Southward Ho!" (1939), "Arizona Kid" (1939), "In Old Caliente" (1939), "Colorado" (1940), "Jesse James at Bay" (1941); "Silver Spurs" (1943), "Lights of Old Santa Fe" (1944), "Bells of Rosarita" (1945), "Don't Fence Me In" (1945), "Along the Navajo Trail" (1945), "My Pal Trigger" (1946), "Under Nevada Skies" 91946), "Roll On Texas Moon" (1946), "Night Time in Nevada" (1948), "Sunset in the West" (1950), "Trail of Robin Hood" (1950); "Heart of the Rockies" (1951).