Bad Man of Deadwood (1941)

best movie i've ever seen.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

This is a pretty decent Roy Rogers flick. It begins with Roy making a new friend in Tombstone (surprise, surprise it's Gabby Hayes) and the two decide to get to the bottom of the theft of Gabby's new inheritance. Now you'd THINK that it would be a decent place--after all, it has a sheriff, a civic committee and a bank--all signs of civilization. But, there's SOMEONE or SOME GROUP that is evil--and it's up to the good guys to solve the crimes and bring justice to the city. And, in order to do so, they must actually rob the stages to get incriminating evidence on the dastardly foes.I liked this one for two reason--Roy sings less than usual and its message that the best way to stop crime is resort to taking the law into your own hands! Enjoyable and well done all around...

Roy Rogers, a sharp-shooter in Gabby Hayes' medicine show, helps the refugee townsfolk of Deadwood battle a crooked bigwig and his outlaw gang, who've forced them out of town and stolen their businesses.Meanwhile, Gabby collects a sizable inheritance that gets stolen by the bad man of Deadwood.Though not as good as some of Roy's later features, this is fast paced enough, has some good gun-play by Rogers, and features a snappy opening scene featuring Gabby's medicine show that all help make this decently entertaining. However, it does run out of steam a bit near the end.Once again, George "Gabby" Hayes is quite a scene stealer.

Roy and Gabby again, with a little help from Sally Payne, billed as a full blooded Kickapoo as part of Professor Mortimer Blackstone's Traveling Medicine Show. I was amused by the name of Roy's character in this one, as he went by Bill Brady, the name of his long time sidekick (Pat Brady) in films and TV for many years. The name Bill Brady is an alias for our hero, his past as Brett Starr is mentioned a couple of times but without too much revelation. It's assumed that he was trying to put a gunman's past behind him.The trio have a good rapport as they battle Deadwood town boss Ripper (Hal Taliaferro) and a whole passel of baddies, notably newspaper editor Carver (Henry Brandon), theater owner Marvel (Ralf Harolde) and henchman Monte Burns (Jay Novello). Novello's character is unbelievable - he's everywhere! Every time you turn around, Burns is there, spying on the good guys, in the Judge's house, hanging out with Marvel, and mixing it up with Brady. It's too bad he didn't make it to the end of the picture.Roy's romantic interest in this one is played by Carol Adams, and it was kind of hard to warm up to her character because she never smiled. She was pretty enough, but it never came through her serious demeanor. It made me wonder why Roy took such a fancy to her, ready to drop his adventurous ways with the medicine show to settle down at the drop of a hat.For his part, Roy shows some unusual athletic ability in a couple of running side mounts over a pretty tall fence while chasing a bad guy. At the same time though, there are a couple of credibility defying scenes where he escapes a large group of town folk when they think he's the bad guy, and when he's cornered by outlaws who think he's a good guy. It doesn't say much for the story writing at the time, when these oaters were churned out at a rapid clip to capitalize on the lead actor's ability to draw an audience.Still, this is a pretty enjoyable little flick that breezes by, as most of Roy's flicks do, in just about an hour. Gabby's fully whiskered in this one, but unusually well groomed too - you'll get a kick out of seeing him in a gentleman's jacket, top hat and walking stick after coming into a large inheritance!

Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, and Sally Payne are members of "Professor Blackstone's Medicine Show". Their offering of tuneful entertainment and elixir receives a poor reception in the town of Deadwood, led by Bad Man Hal Taliaferro (as Ripper). They decide to stick around and extinguish the "Bad Man of Deadwood" and his wicked gang.The Rogers/Hayes/Payne trio (plus cute pet) are a treat as "Medicine" show people. This is an above average, concise Rogers western. Carol Adams (as reporter Linda Barrett) is a good romantic interest for Mr. Rogers; though, they don't flirt enough. It's great to see silent star Monte Blue and weasely Jay Novello among the fine supporting players. It's all lower cost level movie stuff, but ever so pleasant. ***** Bad Man of Deadwood (1941) Joseph Kane ~ Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Carol Adams