Under Western Stars is a 1938 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Roy Rogers, Smiley Burnette, Carol Hughes, and the Maple City Four. Written by Dorrell McGowan, Stuart E. McGowan, and Betty Burbridge, the film is about a populist singing cowboy who decides to run for Congress in order to seek federal assistance to help small ranchers regain their water rights during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. His campaign comes into conflict with greedy water company executives.[1]
| Under Western Stars | |
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.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Joseph Kane |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by |
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| Produced by | Sol C. Siegel |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Jack Marta |
| Edited by | Lester Orlebeck |
| Music by | Alberto Colombo (uncredited) |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 65 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The film was the first starring role for Rogers, made under contract to Republic Pictures during a walkout by the studio's singing cowboy Gene Autry. The picture was filmed on location in the Alabama Hills of Lone Pine, California.
Plot
editJohn Fairbanks' water company refuses to allow free water for the farmers and ranchers. When Roy Rogers and his men overpower the dam's guards and release the valve on the water, a sympathetic judge fines Roy one dollar and convinces him to follow in his father's footsteps and run for the United States House of Representatives. Roy wins the election and fights his best to have the Federal Government step in to solve the dire situation. Roy is encouraged and secretly helped by John Fairbanks feisty daughter, Eleanor.
Cast
edit- Roy Rogers as Roy Rogers
- Smiley Burnette as Frog
- Carol Hughes as Eleanor Fairbanks
- Maple City Four as Singers
- Guy Usher as John Fairbanks
- Tom Chatterton as Congressman Edward H. Marlowe
- Kenneth Harlan as Richards
- Alden Chase as Tom Andrews
- Brandon Beach as Senator Wilson
- Earl Dwire as Mayor Biggs
- Jean Fowler as Mrs. Wilson
- Dora Clement as Mrs. Marlow
- Dick Elliott as William P. Scully
- Burr Caruth as Larkin
- Slim Whitaker as Tremaine
- Jack Rockwell as Sheriff
- Frankie Marvin as Deputy Pete
Legacy
editThe film's song "Dust", written by Johnny Marvin, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song.[1] In 2009, Under Western Stars was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant and will be preserved for all time.[2][3]
References
edit- ^ a b "Under Western Stars". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
- ^ Cannady, Sheryl (December 30, 2009). "News from the Library of Congress". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
- ^ "Complete National Film Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
External links
edit- Under Western Stars essay [1] by Howard Kazanjian and Chris Enss at National Film Registry
- Under Western Stars at IMDb
- Under Western Stars at the TCM Movie Database
- Under Western Stars at AllMovie
- Under Western Stars at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Under Western Stars is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- Under Western Stars essay by Daniel Eagan In America's Film Legacy, 2009-2010: A Viewer's Guide To The 50 Landmark Movies Added To The National Film Registry In 2009–10, Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2011, ISBN 1441120025 pages 60–63 [2]