Under western stars
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | Under western stars |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1938 |
| length | 65 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Joseph Kane |
| script |
Dorrell McGowan , Stuart E. McGowan , Betty Burbridge |
| production | Sol C. Siegel |
| music | Alberto Colombo |
| camera | Jack A. Marta |
| cut | Lester Orlebeck |
| occupation | |
| |
Under Western Stars is an American Western dating back to 1938 , that of Republic Pictures was produced.
action
Farmers and ranchers in the western United States are suffering from a period of drought. In order to get water for their fields and their animals, some of the farmers and ranchers in Sage County illegally want to open the valves on a dam. Roy Rogers and his friend Frog help them with this. Even the sheriff's arrest does not prevent Roy from being revered as a hero. The local people want Roy to be a congressman like his father.
Water Company Director John Fairbanks walks west to speak to Roy about incompetent district manager William Scully. However, the talks fail due to misunderstandings. While preparing for his first political address, Roy meets Eleanor, who does not identify herself as the daughter of Fairbanks. Roy's election campaign is successful. He promises the farmers and ranchers official support from Washington.
Before Roy leaves for Washington, he receives an anonymous message advising him to contact the powerful Congressman Edward Marlowe. Roy fails to meet with Marlowe. Another anonymous message informs him that Marlowe will be taking part in a fox hunt. Roy arrives at Marlowe's property and meets Eleanor, the sender of the anonymous messages, again. He saves her when her horse runs away and tells her he sees her as the writer of the news. Eleanor suggests hosting a celebration and inviting some of the prominent politicians.
At the party, Roy caught the attention of his guests when he showed a film about the plight in his hometown. The film moves several of the politicians to pledge their support. In Sage County, Fairbanks discovers that the film is made up of newsreel reports filmed in other states. He notifies Marlowe, who now feels betrayed by Roy. Roy confirms the truthfulness of the Fairbanks statement. But he also states that the film also depicts the situation in Sage County. He promises to prove that too.
Marlowe, Fairbanks, and others are on a drive out of town. They are ambushed and only left with the horses. Men and horses get thirstier and thirsty as they try to reach the city. They cannot find water and cannot buy it from anyone. Their experiences in a dust storm come to their realization of what thirst really means. They find shelter on a ranch and spend the night there. The next morning Roy comes to the ranch, and Marlowe realizes that Roy is the originator of the "ambush". He also realizes that Roy has not exaggerated in describing the plight in his home country.
Mayor Briggs arrives at the ranch to notify Roy that the townspeople want to blow up the dam. Doing so would ruin Roy's efforts to help. Roy rushes to the dam and is able to stop the car that is loaded with dynamite. He can prevent the residents from the act and promises them immediate help.
Awards
In 1939 the song Dust , composed by Johnny Marvin and sung by Roy Rogers, was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Song category.
In 2009 the film was entered into the National Film Registry .
background
The film premiered on April 20, 1938.
Gene Autry was originally supposed to play the leading role . However, conflicts arose between the studio and Autry in December 1937, which led to a strike by Autry. The studio replaced Autry with Roy Rogers, who got his first leading role. Autry sued Republic for copyright infringement on the lyrics of the song Dust . The song was not named in the credits, nor are Johnny Marvin or Gene Autry named as composers. In the film Daily Year Book only Marvin was named as a composer. After Autry's return to Republic in May 1938, the lawsuit was withdrawn.
Web links
- Under Western Stars in the Internet Movie Database (English)