Rovin' Tumbleweeds (1939)

As a congressman, Gene exposes a crooked politician who is delaying passage of a flood control bill.

Director:

George Sherman

Writers:

Betty Burbridge (original screenplay), Dorrell McGowan (original screenplay),

Stars:

Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Mary Carlisle

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Autry	...	Gene Autry
Smiley Burnette	...	Frog Millhouse
Mary Carlisle	...	Mary Ford
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Stephen Holloway
Pals of the Golden West	...	Singers and Musicians
William Farnum	...	Senator Timothy Nolan
Lee 'Lasses' White	...	Storekeeper
Ralph Peters	...	Satchel
Gordon Hart	...	Congressman Fuller
Victor Potel	...	Man in Store (as Vic Potel)
Jack Ingram	...	Blockade Boss
Sammy McKim	...	Eddie
Reginald Barlow	...	Higgins - a Migrant
Eddie Kane	...	Congressman
Guy Usher	...	Mr. Craig - Mary's Boss

Storyline

A flood has wiped out the ranchers. Congressman Fuller was against the Flood Control bill so Gene runs against him in the next election and wins. Gene goes to Washington but has no success in passing the bill as Holloway is using his influence to block it. Then just as Gene returns home another disastrous flood hits.

---

Plot Keywords:

flood | flood control | congressman | rancher | election | 

---

Genres:

Western | Musical

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 November 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Washington Cowboy

Filming Locations:

Burro Flats, Simi Hills, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min 54 min (edited) 62 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA High Fidelity Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the final scene, Gene and Mary share a hug and their cheeks touch, with Mary coming away with mud on the left side of her face. However going in, that side of Gene's face was clean.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
[leading the ranchers as they try battle mounting floodwaters]
Gene Autry: Watch out for a break on the left, men. Hey! Pile them four deep over there!

---

Soundtracks

"Away Out Yonder"
(uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Fred Rose
Played during the opening credits
Performed by Gene Autry and Cowhands
Reprised at the end

User Reviews

Surprisingly Relevant to Today

I don't think anyone watches one of these old matinees for anything other than unchallenging fun. After all, they were made mainly for kids. That being said, this one has more adult content than most. Yes, Gene is elected to Congress, of all places, following a successful stint on the radio. More importantly, he's expected to serve as an empty suit (cowboy suit) by his big money backers wanting to steal land away from flood-ravaged small farmers. It's not like the money men don't have some popular support. Local townsfolk resent the influx of refugees from the flood for driving down local wages. But needless to say, Gene turns out to be anything but an empty suit.

Clearly, the screenplay is not only more serious minded than most, but also reflects many conditions of the ravaged 1930's. Actually, this low-budgeter does a good job creating a sense of desperation among the flood-affected—note the intense crowd scenes, plus the chaos of old flivver cars. There's also Congress and its influence peddling where Gene finds out some hard truths. There's little hard riding or typical gunplay, so matinée fans expecting the usual may be disappointed. But, for folks willing to try something different, there's food for thought (except the utterly incredible ending) that appears still topical, even 70- years later.