Silver on the Sage (1939)

I love this movie so much

Memorable, crazy movie

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

SYNOPSIS: A frontier clash between rustlers and cattleowners finds Hopalong Cassidy, the "Bar 20" foreman, at even more of a disadvantage than usual. One rustler chief is a cinch for Hoppy to handle, but this time the band is led by twin brothers, one a gambling hall owner, and the other foreman of a ranch. From the ranch, raids are made for cattle, and an alibi is always available because one of the brothers is always seen by various people well away from the scene of the rustling. Hopalong Cassidy's feud with the rustlers starts when they take some of the "Bar 20" prize cattle. (This film is available on an excellent Platinum Disc DVD).NOTES: In a remarkable change of tack (see Heart of Arizona), Paramount now insists that the script here was based on Mulford's characters, not on either an original Mulford screen story or on Mulford's novel, "On the Trail of the Tumbling T". Reading between the lines, it seems obvious that, through his lawyers, Mulford had complained about the ambivalent press releases surrounding Heart of Arizona and the claim made for Bar 20 Justice. I think we can take it for granted that Mulford had nothing to do with either story or script for Heart of Arizona and likewise Bar 20 Justice. Indeed Paramount's reckless claims obviously placed the author in an embarrassing situation with the IRS. And that's why the studio is now suddenly insisting that Mulford was not paid any additional money and rendered no services whatever. COMMENT: Like most of the other Cassidy entries of the 1930s, this one saves all its action for the last reel - and a pretty tame shoot-out it is too! However, it does offer a dual role for one of our favorite character players, Stanley Ridges. Also, it must be admitted that the dialogue is tense enough. Russell Harlan's fine location camerawork is another major asset. As for heroine, Ruth Rogers, she must have been assigned to the movie over producer Harry Sherman's head. "Pop" Sherman doesn't like blonde ladies at all, so doubtless cut her role to the bone. I'd be surprised if she was on screen for much more than five minutes all told (which, considering her abysmal performance, is maybe just as well). However, "Pop" Sherman does indulge his more likable penchant for "employing more former Hollywood big shots as extras than any other producer in Hollywood." Sherman insists that the jury that tries Russell Hayden for murder includes "three former directors and five actors of erstwhile importance." I recognized the jury foreman as Frank O'Connor, who directed around twenty silent features including The Block Signal (starring Jean Arthur), Devil's Island (starring Pauline Frederick), Spangles (starring Marian Nixon), and The Silent Power.

It is good to see this kind of movie in a day when so much violent and profane stuff is present in today's movies. This movie starts out slow; but has a good shoot 'em up ending. The story line is good and will hold one's attention to the end. One can gain an interest in what becomes of the cast.

With Windy and Lucky getting more of a featured play in this movie lent itself to take on a much different feel. I really enjoyed the way that these two characters developed and you really identified more with them in this film, than most of the Hoppy adventures. Of course the main part of the Hero was played well by Boyd and I got the feeling he really enjoyed watching Lucky and Windy step up to featured roles for part of the film! Great Movie!

One of the last Hopalong Cassidy movies to feature Gabby Hayes (as "Windy"). Gabby & Russell Hayden (as "Lucky") have larger roles than usual in this film, & Hoppy appears only after the first 9 minutes have gone by! There isn't too much action until near the end of the film, but this movie is well done & interesting. Windy claims to be the well known stagecoach robber named Black Bart, & even has "Wanted" posters printed with his photo on them. For Hoppy completists, we learn that Windy carries a Remington 1876 reissue revolver (unloaded!). For added fun, there's also a quite noticeable blooper at the end. Windy leaves on his horse, & Hoppy mounts Topper to follow him, but Topper's first step is into a bucket of water! William Boyd (as "Hopalong Cassidy"), a pro with many years of acting experience, looks down to see what happened on both sides of Topper, with a startled expression, but continues the scene as written! His laughter is on cue for Windy's departure, but also fits Topper's accidentally stepping into the bucket of water. I give it 8/10.