Under Western Stars (1938)

Roy is elected to Congress to bring the misery of the "dustbowl" of the 1930s to the attention of Washington politicians.

Director:

Joseph Kane (as Joe Kane)

Writers:

Dorrell McGowan (screenplay), Stuart E. McGowan (screenplay) (as Stuart McGowan)

Stars:

Roy Rogers, Smiley Burnette, Carol Hughes

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roy Rogers	...	Roy Rogers
Smiley Burnette	...	Frog Millhouse
Carol Hughes	...	Eleanor Fairbanks
Maple City Four	...	Singers
Guy Usher	...	John Fairbanks
Tom Chatterton	...	Congressman Edward H. Marlowe
Kenneth Harlan	...	Richards
Stephen Chase	...	Tom Andrews (as Alden Chase)
Brandon Beach	...	Sen. Wilson
Earl Dwire	...	Mayor Biggs
Jean Fowler	...	Mrs. Wilson
Dora Clement	...	Mrs. Marlowe (as Dora Clemant)
Dick Elliott	...	William P. Scully
Burr Caruth	...	Larkin
Slim Whitaker	...	Tremaine (as Charles Whitaker)

Storyline

In his starring debut Roy gets elected to congress in order to bring water to the ranchers in his district. In Washington he learns he needs the backing of a key congressman and gets that man to go west for an inspection trip. When the Congressman is initally unimpressed, Roy gets the inspection party stranded without water to show the true conditions.

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Plot Keywords:

b movie | double feature film | actor shares last name with character | actor shares first and last name with character | american dust bowl | 

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Taglines:

A NEW WESTERN STAR BLAZES HIS WAY ACROSS THE SCREEN! (original poster - all caps)

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Music | Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sob as Estrelas do Oeste

Filming Locations:

Winnedumah Hotel, Independence, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

65 min 54 min (edited)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was originally scheduled as a Gene Autry vehicle (under the title "Washington Cowboy") but Roy Rogers replaced Autry after a salary dispute between Autry and Republic Pictures.

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Connections

Referenced in Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs (2000)

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Soundtracks

Dust
Written by Johnny Marvin
Sung by Roy Rogers

User Reviews

They Don't Sing "Cool Clear Water"

Roy Rogers runs for congress and wins the hand of Carol Hughes on the platform of free water for ranchers. Miss Hughe's father, John Usher, owns the local water rights and the ranches are parched. Naturally there are several songs, comedy provided by Smiley Burnette and Trigger; Trigger is uncredited.

It's a pleasant enough movie for Roy's first starring role. It was originally written for Gene Autry. He, however, was in a contract dispute with Republic Pictures, so they shoved Mr. Rogers into the slot and the movie was successful. Apparently the dispute came fairly far into production. Autry had already co-written one song, "Listen to the Rhythm of the Range", sung by Rogers. Another song, "Dust", a serious ballad, was nominated for Best Song.

It is directed by Joseph Kane, a specialist in the B Western field. Like many efficient directors, he started in the editing booth. He directed movies through 1958, went over to directing TV westerns, and died in 1975, aged 81, the same year his last of almost 120 movies was released.