Mule Train (1950)

Loosely based on Frankie Laine's popular record with the same title, Gene protects his friend's claim from badguy Sam Brady.

Director:

John English

Writers:

Gerald Geraghty (screenplay), Alan James (story)

Stars:

Gene Autry, Champion, Sheila Ryan

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Autry	...	U.S. Marshal Gene Autry
Champion	...	Gene's Horse
Sheila Ryan	...	Sheriff Carol
Robert Livingston	...	Sam Brady
Frank Jaquet	...	Banker Hodges
Vince Barnett	...	Barber Mulkey
Syd Saylor	...	Deputy Skeeter
Sandy Sanders	...	Deputy Bud
Pat Buttram	...	Smokey Argyle

Storyline

A prospector discovers natural cement and suggests it should be used for a new dam. But this is the last thing the badmen of Trail End want, as they have a monopoly of the wagons needed to haul rocks to the site. A pretty sheriff notwithstanding, it's a job for a singing marshal.

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Plot Keywords:

cement | fistfight | hired killer | continuity lapse | artificial pond | 

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 1950 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gene Autry Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White (Sepiatone)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch (1976)

User Reviews

"Clippety Clopping Along"

Mule Train which must have been rushed into production and distribution to take advantage of Frankie Laine's mega-hit has Gene Autry singing the song and working undercover as a US Marshal. Only sidekick Pat Buttram knows Gene is a marshal.

This film marks a first as the famous Hitchcockian McGuffin is natural cement of which Pat Buttram and his cantankerous old partner John Miljan have on their otherwise pretty worthless property. As water is pretty scarce this stuff is going to come in mighty handy to build a new and solid dam.

I have to say that Miljan was a surprise to me. He usually plays polished and sophisticated villains, seeing him in this part that Gabby Hayes would be perfect casting was a revelation.

Freight Line owner Robert Livingston has a vested interest in trying to get the property. But female sheriff Sheila Ryan seems to be playing an interesting role here. She's a trick shot carnival act who got left behind by her show and is now sheriff. Could things be brewing for Gene and her.

Mule Train with a little better writing could have been a first class western with some major stars. As it is, it's pretty good, far superior to the usual Saturday matinée stuff. Gene was no longer with Republic, I'm guessing Harry Cohn at Columbia was giving him some better and more adult material to work with.

Besides the title song Gene also sings country hit Room Full Of Roses which had a lot of cross over appeal. Dick Haymes and later Dean Martin did successful records of it. Gene warbles it real pretty.

One of Autry's better westerns from Columbia.