As a studio Grand National Pictures only lasted for a couple of years, it's best known films were two from James Cagney who worked there while quarreling with Warner Brothers. Seeing what success Republic had with Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, they signed Tex Ritter from The Grand Old Opry as their singing cowboy.
One thing that was original with Arizona Days, Tex took on the job of tax collector for the Tombstone Arizona area. That has to be unique in the annals of western films. Imagine outlaws who not only rob, and pillage and kill, but don't file their 1040s. It's the most unheard of thing I've ever heard of.
Another thing unheard of in western films is the up front killing of a child, the kid brother of Eleanor Stewart who Tex is paying court to. Tommy Bupp is killed when the outlaws ambush Tex and Eleanor and miss Tex, but kill young Tommy. I'm not sure how that one got through the censors of 1937.
The production values aren't good at all so I can't say this was a decent film for all its originality. Ritter sings a couple of nice songs and the taxes do get collected, after a western fashion for which you'll have to see the film if you care to.
One thing that was original with Arizona Days, Tex took on the job of tax collector for the Tombstone Arizona area. That has to be unique in the annals of western films. Imagine outlaws who not only rob, and pillage and kill, but don't file their 1040s. It's the most unheard of thing I've ever heard of.
Another thing unheard of in western films is the up front killing of a child, the kid brother of Eleanor Stewart who Tex is paying court to. Tommy Bupp is killed when the outlaws ambush Tex and Eleanor and miss Tex, but kill young Tommy. I'm not sure how that one got through the censors of 1937.
The production values aren't good at all so I can't say this was a decent film for all its originality. Ritter sings a couple of nice songs and the taxes do get collected, after a western fashion for which you'll have to see the film if you care to.