The Golden Stallion (1949)

You won't be disappointed!

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

This 1949 film, just before Roy Rogers and Co. moved on to TV, has some fine color cinematography, particularly of the Iverson ranch (used in countless westerns) and great, sweeping shots of the wild horse herd that figures importantly throughout the film. It's quite lovely in that regard and captures the beauty and speed of the supposedly "untamed" steeds.The plot is a bit more complicated here than in most RR films, with several unexpected turns, all tightly directed. Roy and Dale are engaging as always, though Pat Brady's appeal eludes. There are fewer musical numbers in this film than usual, though the Sons of the Pioneers are featured.See it for the scenery and the beauty of the horses, and for more drama than is usually served in a Roy/Dale flick.

Wild horses are used to smuggle diamonds across the border from Mexico to the United States. The jewels are hidden in horseshoes. Meanwhile, well-known horse trainer Roy Rogers (as Roy Rogers) goes to work at the "Circle B" ranch owned by singing cowgirl Dale Evans (as Stormy Billings). They make pretty music together, although Mr. Rogers prefers closer companionship with his horse "Trigger". The smartest horse in the movies gets involved with the smugglers by mating with a mare they use to transport their diamonds. The union produces "Trigger Jr." and provides Rogers and his horse with danger and adventure...Director Quentin Tarantino elevated this "Trucolor" western by citing it for a discussion on films, which makes this an interesting watch. However, "The Golden Stallion" is more ordinary than revelatory. Most Rogers pictures are pleasant, and it's possible to elevate any one of them, at any moment. Here, you have a great scene - where Rogers "takes the rap" for a crime, to save Trigger from a death sentence. Rogers' lie is blatant, but acceptable. Unfortunately, the film leaves the potential for a good morality story right there. Neither Rogers nor Trigger committed the crime, which the script never gets around to resolving.***** The Golden Stallion (11/15/49) William Witney ~ Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Pat Brady, Douglas Evans

Whoa Nellie! Here's a plot element I haven't seen before - the 'Smartest Horse in the Movies' is framed for murder, and Roy Rogers takes the fall! You know it has to be the movies when the trial is set for the very next day - Roy gets three years in jail and Trigger is out on the range running with diamond smugglers. That all sounds like a lot going on for a simple 'B' Western, but that's the basic premise of "The Golden Stallion", a Republic Trucolor film that fans of Roy and Dale Evans will find certain delight in. I have to say, the idea of a specially made horseshoe with a false bottom built in to hide a cache of diamonds was certainly a novel idea, and it had me wondering if such an idea was ever tried for real.Along with the trick horseshoe, there were a few other elements I hadn't seen before in a Roy Rogers flick. For one, this might have been the first time Pat Brady appears driving his trusted Willys Jeep, although he's portraying a character named Sparrow Biffle. Though 'Nellybelle' isn't specifically mentioned by name, I'm pretty sure Pat yelled 'Whoa Nellie' during that first horse stampede when his vehicle went out of control. Additionally, it appears that Dale's aboard Buttermilk, the pinto she rode in the TV series a few years later.As for Trigger himself, I had some trouble recognizing the real one. That didn't look like the real Trigger at the start of the picture, the one that got in trouble with the Bell Mare and got pinched for Ed Hart's murder. The stallion that grew up to be Trigger Jr. looked more like the real thing, but I guess he could have performed a dual role like human actors often do. Anyway, it left me just a little bit confused.Roy and Dale as always make an engaging couple, even though Dale's character in the picture goes by the name of Stormy Billings. With the color format, it's easy to pick out their costume changes in the story, as each goes through more than a half dozen. I got a kick out of Dale's reaction to Roy's phony death scene - very over the top, and I'm surprised actually that it remained that way in the picture.By the time it's all over of course, Roy brings the outlaw smuggling gang to justice with the help of the Oro City Sheriff (Frank Fenton). Spending a couple years in jail didn't do a lot to help his image as King of the Cowboys, but he spent time behind bars in other Westerns, so it goes with the territory. One thing I did notice though was Roy's tussle with bad guy Ed Hart (Dale Van Sickel) in the early going; it was probably Roy's best and most realistic looking fight I've seen in a few dozen of his pictures. Just another 'Whoa Nellie' moment in Roy Rogers' enduring film career.

This sagebrush story is out of the ordinary; and a memorable Roy Rogers vehicle. Trigger falls in love with a beautiful golden mare that has stolen treasure inside a specially made shoe by diamond smugglers. When Trigger watches the mare being abused by the villainous smugglers, he kills one of them. Roy takes the blame for his four-legged pal and ends up behind bars. Fans of Trigger will delight in this one. Also in the cast: Dale Evans, Pat Brady, Frank Fenton, Estelita Rodriguez, Chester Conklin and Riders of the Purple Sage. THE GOLDEN STALLION is directed by B-movie master William Witney. An action packed 67 minutes. Recommended for a nice twin-bill: BELLS of SAN ANGELO(1947).