Lights of Old Santa Fe (1944)

Rival rodeos are operated by good guy Gabby and bad guy Richard Powers. Dale is trying to choose between them, aided ultimately by Roy and the Sons of the Pioneers (who are radio singers).

Director:

Frank McDonald

Writers:

Gordon Kahn (original screenplay), Robert Creighton Williams (original screenplay) (as Bob Williams)

Stars:

Roy Rogers, Trigger, George 'Gabby' Hayes

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Roy Rogers	...	Roy Rogers
Trigger	...	Trigger
George 'Gabby' Hayes	...	Gabby Whittaker
Dale Evans	...	Marjorie Brooks
Lloyd Corrigan	...	Marty Maizely
Tom Keene	...	Frank Madden (as Richard Powers)
Claire Du Brey	...	Rosie McGurk
Arthur Loft	...	Bill Wetherbee
Roy Barcroft	...	Ken Ferguson
Lucien Littlefield	...	The Judge
Sam Flint	...	Sheriff
Bob Nolan	...	Bob - Leader Sons of the Pioneers
Sons of the Pioneers	...	Musicians

Storyline

Sandwiched in between the numerous musical numbers, the Gabby Whittaker and Madden rodeo's are competing for bookings. When Gabby gets a date in Albuquerque, Madden has his man destroy his equipment. Roy finds a broken rawhide rope at the scene and uses it to bring Madden to justice.

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Plot Keywords:

albuquerque new mexico | santa fe new mexico | rodeo arena | 

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Taglines:

ACTION AS YOU LIKE IT! (original print ad-all caps)

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Genres:

Music | Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Goofs

During the scene where Gabby tells Marjorie he has hired Roy and the Pioneers, she tucks the collar of her dress inside the neckline. But when he leads her out to show her Trigger, her collar is back outside again.

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Quotes

Gabby Whittaker: Jumpin' jackrabbits. What kind of jigity you call that?
Marjorie Brooks: That's a ballet of wood nymphs.
Gabby Whittaker: They ain't wearin' enough clothes to flag a handcar.

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Connections

Edited from King of the Cowboys (1943)

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Soundtracks

Lights of Old Santa Fe
Written by Jack Elliott
Performed by Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, George 'Gabby' Hayes and the Sons of the Pioneers

User Reviews

An Old-Fashioned Western

"Gabby Whittaker" (George 'Gabby' Hayes) is the manager of the Brooks Rodeo Show which has steadily been losing money due to his inability to keep up with current trends. He has also kept the owner, "Marjorie Brooks" (Dale Evans) completely in the dark so as not to worry her. In the meantime, their main rival, the Madden Rodeo Show, has a more modern look and as a result has since overtaken them. And the owner of that particular outfit, "Frank Madden" (Tom Keene) is willing to do whatever it takes to either acquire the Brooks Rodeo Show or run them out of business. But just as things begin to look bleak a cowboy named "Roy Rogers" (Roy Rogers) comes driving into town with several of his friends known as the Sons of the Pioneers which Gabby immediately recognizes as the answer to all of his problems. Unfortunately, so does Frank Madden. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a decent, old-fashioned type of Musical-Western which definitely personified the time. And because it is so dated there is a possibility that some viewers may not like or appreciate it. Again, it's a product of its time. That being said, I found it to be good enough for a rainy day and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lights of Old Santa Fe

Filming Locations:

French Ranch, Hidden Valley Road, Thousand Oaks, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures Corporation (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

56 min (cut) 78 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1