Loaded Pistols (1948)

Gene protects young Larry Evans, wrongly accused of murder, while trying to find the real badguys.

Director:

John English

Writers:

Dwight Cummins (story), Dorothy Yost (story),

Stars:

Gene Autry, Barbara Britton, Chill Wills

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Autry	...	Gene Autry
Barbara Britton	...	Mary Evans
Chill Wills	...	Sheriff Cramer
Jack Holt	...	Dave Randall
Russell Arms	...	Larry Evans
Robert Shayne	...	Don Mason
Vince Barnett	...	Sam Gardner
Leon Weaver	...	Jake Harper
Fred Kohler Jr.	...	Bill Otis (as Fred Kohler)
Clem Bevans	...	Jim Hedge
Champion	...	Champ, Gene's Horse

Storyline

The only Gene Autry film where the leading lady, Barbara Britton, is equally billed above the title as the co-star, thereby knocking his horse Champion out of the honors, if one chooses to overlook the 1941 novelty from 20th Century-Fox that had Jane Withers and Gene Autry above the title in that order. This Autry entry has Larry Evans, whose gun had been used to kill rancher Ed Norton in a poker game, escaping a lynching party headed by ranchers Dave Randall and Bill Otis. Norton's friend Gene Autry, investigating on his own, discovers that Larry's gun had been put in the poker pot with the chips, after Larry had lost all of his money, and anyone could have used it when the lights went out. He finds Larry and his sister Mary Evans in a hideaway, and sends Mary back to town and hides Larry in the cabin of miner Jim Hedge. Finding out that Randall and Don Mason have tried to buy the Evans ranch, Gene decides to take a look at it. Hedge shows up and says he can't figure out what could ...

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Plot Keywords:

ranch | murder | sheriff | horse | compass | 

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Taglines:

Gene Sings 5 Hits!

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Genres:

Action | Music | Mystery | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 February 1953 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Red River Valley

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gene Autry Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White (Sepiatone)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Right after Gene throws Mary in the pond, she gets on her horse and starts chasing Gene and her brother. By the time she catches up with them, her hair and clothes are completely dry.

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Quotes

Gene Autry: Get out of those clothes!
Larry Evans: What?
Gene Autry: You heard me. Chuck the duds and get in the creek!
Larry Evans: In the creek? But it's ice water! You wanna give me pneumonia?
Gene Autry: Yeah, but you'll catch lead poisoning if they catch you in that gray check shirt, riding a palomino.

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Soundtracks

"When The Bloom Is On The Sage"
Written by Fred Howard and Nat Vincent
Sung by Gene Autry

User Reviews

Autry, Good Story Make Up For Slow Pace

The likable Gene Autry and a good story make this a worthwhile B-Western in spite of a pace that is rather slow at times. The story starts with a shooting in the middle of a dice game, and when Gene thinks the sheriff is accusing the wrong man, he has to perform a difficult balancing act. Autry wants to find out who the real killer was, and why he did it, but he also has to stay on the good side of both the sheriff and the rather excitable suspect, who does not always appreciate Autry's help.

It's a scenario with some good possibilities, and as it unfolds, they get some decent mileage out of the situation. Chill Wills gets a couple of good moments as the sheriff, and Barbara Britton is lively as the suspect's loyal sister. Overall, it's better than average for a B-Western.