Sons of New Mexico

Other than the scenes of the NMMI mounted corps and polo teams, this is just one more of the same cookie cutter movies Gene cranked out. It is interesting to note how the film was edited, switching you back and forth from the movie ranch in southern Cali to the plains, dust and cottonwoods of southeast NM. Gene didn't shoot so much as one scene in NM; he did go to Roswell for the premier, though. Wish I could have been there for that.

Robert Armstrong from King Kong and Clayton Moore, soon to be The Lone Ranger, add a bit to this mediocre late Autry product. The kid is insufferable and his worried sister not much better. Armstrong is a truly rotten villain, however.

Recently restored later Gene Autry film about his efforts to save the son of his deceased best friend from the evils of gambling. Protagonist is trying to pay back his former friend who turned him in and married his girl -- hence the attempt to corrupt the son. Perhaps the best part of this otherwise lackluster film is to see shots of cadets at the New Mexico Military Institute and their post-World War II horsemanship. This must have recorded one of the last cavalry charges in the US. Recommended only for die-hard fans or alumni.

It's interesting that this story was set around Roswell, New Mexico...a place with little fame up until the supposed UFO crash in 1947. The film mentions a New Mexico Military Institute and there IS indeed such a school in Roswell...if you are interested. I just drove past the place a week ago.

When the story begins, Gene has just been appointed guardian for a teen following his father's death. Unfortunately, it won't be an easy task as Randy (Dickie Jones) turns out to be a real punk....and a hard-headed one at that. As a last resort, Gene decides to send the boy to the nearby military school...hoping it will give him discipline and a sense of purpose. What's next? See the story and find out for yourself what happens AFTER he's expelled from this school!

Overall, this is a very good Gene Autry film...one of his better ones. It lacks many of the usual cliches and is fun from start to finish.

By the way, if you aren't familiar with Dickie Jones, he was made famous for providing the voice for Walt Disney's "Pinocchio"....and in the late 1940s and through the 50s he made a name for himself appearing in many westerns.

"Maybe you cadets declared open season on pick up trucks with air rifles" Autry barks at Lieutenant Brunton in the opening scene. Taking place mostly at the New Mexico Military Institute, Sons is a good Gene Autry film with an amazing cast. Annie Oakley herself Gail Davis with the Lone Ranger Clayton Moore, Buffalo Bill Jr, Dickie Jones and grandma from the Addams Family, Marie Blake. Old movie favorite, Robert Armstrong was as strong as ever playing the card shark trying to steal the ranch. Frankie Darro who had a recurring role on "The Red Skelton Hour" played it well as the best friend gone bad. Rounding out the great cast was man of many films, Irving Bacon and Russell Adams as Lieutenant Chuck Brunton.