Reviews (1)

Unka Woo, don't forget to kiss her!
A brace of Nazis arrive at a secluded rural shack. "Ve haf come for ze transmitter, Mr. Bergstrom." Bergstrom ain't selling and he ain't giving it away, either. In fact, he's running away. Not, unfortunately for him, fast enough to outpace a bullet. The Huns shoot, Bergstrom falls and is presumably ground to gruel as a tractor/tiller runs over his body. Fortunately for the plot ze transmitter is unharmed, and the Huns steal it.
Soon enough the spy bad guys are using ze transmitter to contact the submerged bad guys. Axis submarines off the American coast are alerted when American cargo ships are departing, and vital oil tankers begin sinking at an alarming rate.
And so the premise of SUBMARINE ALERT. It stars the mediocre Richard Arlen as Lew Deerhold, an electronic engineer who is recruited by the Nazis to work on ze Bergstrom transmitter. The FBI has orchestrated his firing to put him on the street, as it were, and Deerhold isn't aware those throwing all that money at him are agents of the enemy. The female lead is played by Wendy Barrie, whose trivia entries at imdb.com are much more intriguing than her on screen performance or credit list. Barrie's godfather was, we are told, the author of Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie. Pan's Wendy was named after Miss Barrie. Another interesting snippet - Barrie was once engaged to the gangster "Bugsy" Siegel. Barrie plays undercover FBI agent Ann Patterson, who is assigned to Deerhold. The two leads don't necessarily strike sparks in their scenes together, but they seem to be hitting their marks and delivering their lines competently enough.
The 3-stars I gave to SUBMARINE ALERT is for fans of the sub-sub-genre Action-War-War Bond Rally movies. In other words, if you like movies that deal with war and that were churned out quickly during a war, in this case World War II, SUBMARINE ALERT will satisfy your craving. Just barely, but it'll do. You can tell this is a War Bond Rally movie because it contains a final scene with one of the leads giving a testimonial to all that is good about America and why we have to defeat the enemy at any cost.
Even fans of the genre will be annoyed by the most cloyingly cute child actress I've ever seen. Fortunately, the only reason she's in the movie is to require an expensive operation. The film trots her off to a hospital before the bad taste has a chance to set in your mouth. In other words, she gives the Arlen character an altruistic reason to need money NOW and explains his willingness to ask too few questions when approached by the disguised Germans. More annoying are some closing scenes of airplanes chasing a submarine. They must not have had any stock footage of subs or planes because this is the most pathetically obvious use of cheap models I've seen this side of Ed Woods. Finally, some scenes reveal a seriously scratched and deteriorated master print. ... Read more

Description

To get his ranch out of dire financial straits, Gene reluctantly goes toHollywood to make a movie. But his real troubles begin on his return when everyonefinds out he#s the voice of Ding Dong the animated singing donkey#and his nemesis triesto drive him to ruin. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Pleasant Autry Musical
Back from the war, and still under contract to Republic Pictures, Gene Autry made a few more films for that studio before switching to a more lucrative relationship with Columbia. Of the five Republic movies Gene made after the war, "Sioux City Sue" was the first, and some feel the best. While not on a par with his classic Republic films of the late thirties, "Sioux City Sue" still provides enjoyable entertainment for fans of filmdom's greatest singing cowboy. There are many good western songs featured in this movie sung by Gene and the Cass County Boys ( when Gene moved to Columbia, he was smart enough to take the "boys" with him ), including "Someday You'll Want Me to Want You" and the catchy title song.

The plot is very slight--Gene is manipulated by an unscrupulous movie studio and has to deal with a bitter, former cowhand from his ranch--but Gene's personality and relaxed vocal stylings overshadow any shortcomings. Lynne Roberts is an attractive leading lady. On the other hand, Sterling Holloway is downright annoying--he is not really a sidekick in this movie, but his silly over-acting and mannerisms get far too much screen-time. Great character actors like Tris Coffin and Kenne Duncan are wasted in minor roles.

Bottom line--this film is still good fun for fans of "America's Favourite Cowboy", and as usual Image gives us as pristine a picture as one could expect.

Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear
A highly enjoyable Autry western, boosted by a spirited supporting cast, a non-formula script, and a sprinkling of very listenable songs including the delightful title number. Autry was always an unlikely cowboy hero, short, stout, and wooden, yet his way with a song was always pleasant and natural, while his horsemanship and fight scenes were as convincing as any. His secret of success may well have been his ordinariness. Unlike a towering John Wayne, Crash Corrigan, or innumerable other icons of the Saturday matinee, Autry was always within reach of the audience, a reassuring nearness for those of us who knew we would never grow into the boots of a Wayne or Corrigan. Anyway, I suppose the audience for this kind of innocent bucholic fun dwindles each year as we matinee kids age and shuffle off, leaving such fare to film historians and curiosity seekers. Historians should find this film particularly revealing for its behind-the-scenes look at the making of musical westerns, and also for a fluttery Sterling Holloway, a most unlikely comic relief for the macho western, which, I suppose, amounted to someone's comment on the film industry since he appears as a production assisstant. The leading lady also goes against type. A hard-driving studio scout, who overshadows the laid-back Autry, she defies patriarchal expectations by remaining with the studio at film's end. All in all, this programmer rises above the low expectations of a cowboy movie and remains well worth a look on several levels.

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!
THIS PICTURE JUST GOES TO PROVE THAT GENE AUTRY WAS STILL COWBOY #1 EVEN AFTER HIS RETURN FROM THE WAR. WAS THEN AND STILL IS NOW!

The best of the post-WWII Autry movies
This is probably the best of the the Post-WW2 Autry movies from a music standpoint. Many of the songs were hits for him and are delivered by a more mature Autry. The Cass County Boys do an excellent job of supporting him musically. The quality of this uncut video is excellent and the sound is above average for a reissue. A 'must have' for those who collect singing cowboy music and films. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Oi Vey!!!!
The previous 2 reviewers have outlined the plot very well so not much more can be said about that. I'd just to tell the guys who are considering purchasing the Alpha DVD that the quality here isn't too good. Source material was obviously VHS tape (you can see the occasional video drop-outs) and it looks very much like an LP version at that. Very poor definition. Could have been a lot sharper. Also the print is very contrasty. The blacks are REALLY black and the whites are blinding. There is also a considerable amount of lag. When a white face moves against a black background it leaves a kind of "comet's tail" to put it loosely. Also various other things appear.... like a cluster of white "arrowheads" pointing to the right (as if someone just pressed the fast-forward button on the VCR) or just the occasional flash of pure white jumps out at you. The movie itself is one of the better comedy thrillers with some funny lines... many of them from Bela... but a poor transfer. (sigh!)

Classic B Movie Fun
One Body Too Many a 1944 black and white movie is not an especially good movie. BUT, it is a fun movie. It is a silly horror/comedy type B movie that became the meat and potatoes of so many early studios. I love it. Jack Haley is Albert Tuttle a nose to the grindstone insurance man who has an appointment with an old rich recluse. He arrives at his mansion and is seen in by the butler (Bela Lugosi). He is shown into his clients office and immediately starts his spiel to the back of a chair and smoke coming from a lit cigar. However, unbeknownst to Tuttle the client is dead and in his coffin in the office. Tuttle lays his brief case on the closed coffin before he realizes just what is in the room. When he does try to get out, he can't open the door, etc. This movie is filled with every conceivable cliche imaginable. But that's the fun of it. A huge dark creepy house, a will to be read, a suspicious looking butler and cook, a beautiful damsel in distress, a dim witted detective, a houseful of greedy family members of the deceased, murders, trick doors, screams and noises at night, etc. Of course, a very nervous and reluctant hero. This kind of movie would be nothing without Lyle Talbot and he is here as the family member who thinks timid Jack Haley has something to hide.I have had this movie for years and every once in a while I dust it off to watch it again because sometimes you need a little harmless fun. (~.~)

Several Thrills Too Few...
This is yet another of the gathered-for-the-reading-of-the-will-in-the-spooky-house with-secret-passages-and-a-murderer subgenre. And while I find it hard to believe that there is anyone who legitimately can hate these kind of movies, there are admittedly some that work far better than others. One Body Too Many finds middle ground.

It begins with some cleverness in setting up the scenario. The will's gimmick is farfetched but assured an offbeat night of criminal mayhem: The deceased, an astrologer, wishes to be buried above ground so that the stars shine down on him. If anything happens so that he is not, then the heir who was supposed to get the most will instead get the least, and vice versa. The body disappears, then reappears, then someone else is murdered... it's all expectedly, even appropriately, convoluted.

Our hero is a life insurance salesman who is mistaken for the detective assigned to guard the body from shenanigans. And there is real inventiveness in placing a life insurance salesman in this situation, where people are sure to be bumped off. Unfortunately, this knowing wink to the audience is barely explored at all. The hero himself is an average-looking guy, more likable and less wimpy than many 40's B heroes. And he is surrounded by a capable, if unspectacular, cast.

Lugosi is wasted, although his stock Ominous Butler character is interestingly played for laughs this go-round, ready and willing to bump off anybody who anyone else thinks needs bumping off. Watch out for the coffee.

This is of course, a comedy/mystery, as every picture in this genre has been since The Cat and the Canary in the 20's. And the comedy is generally the determining factor in how watchable these kind of films are. Here it is not too bad, consisting less of the typical scared mugging and awkward pratfalls than many similar efforts. Only in its dull, protracted middle section does the film lose its way, as the hero gets lost in the ubiquitous secret passageways, caught in a wicker basket with a litter of kittens and wearing only a towel. Don't ask.

There are a number of good scenes, including one where the hero, hiding in a coffin, is carried off and dumped in a pool. The movie ends with a suspenseful chase and confrontation atop the observatory. But there is not enough made of the good ideas in the script, and too much damage is done to the whole by the weak or old ideas in the script. You've seen much of it before, so it's not quite worth a purchase. Close but no cigar.

See also: The Cat and the Canary; Black Cat (1941); Night Monster; Old Dark House; The Monster Walks; The Gorilla; Seven Keys To Baldpate; The Bat Whispers; and many, many more, if you are so inclined. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good fun
Videohound, which I usually trust, gives Gene Autry's movies low ratings. I'm sorry if they're not "sophisticated" enough for them. They're missing out. Gene and Smiley transport a British kid to his felon father. Along the way they run into cuties June Storey and Mary Lee. June Storey is beautiful as always and plays one feisty character. This was the first movie I've ever seen Mary in and I was captivated by her. She has such a beautiful voice. The only bad element in this flick was the kid actor. He got on my nerves quick. The song which Smiley and Gene share is so catchy. I played it three times.

Modern Day Western
Gaucho Serenade is one of the sometime typically unusual Autry westerns by the fact that when you see Autry for the first time he is riding in a car pulling a horse trail. This one is comedy at it's best with Smiley Burnette, Mary Lee and June Storey as his sidekicks. From cars running into rivers, to catching a speeding locamotive with his trusty horse Champion. For those who have never seen this movie be aware that Autry did do most of his own stunt work and fight scenes. It really is Autry climbing on board this locamotive with Champion fearlessly running beside him. If you purchase this movie you will see American Favorite Cowboy and Hero help a small boy find his father, clear his father who was framed and take down a crooked cattle buyers conglomerate and then as usual gets the girl in the process. This is a FIVE star movie. Buy It! ... Read more

Description

Rodeo star Gene Autry and a spirited young city gal jointly inherit a ranch and mine. When crooks try to buy the property, she wants to sell, but Gene wants to operate the mine. It takes all of Gene's charm and musical talents to persuade her to see things his way. This rollicking release introduced the character of Tadpole, Frog's little brother, who leads a rescue party in the action-packed climax. ... Read more

Description

When Texas Ranger Gene Autry saves a family from eviction, he discovers that their money was used to purchase counterfeit Mexican lottery tickets. Gene is then on a do-or-die mission for Texas and Mexico as he tracks down the ring of counterfeiters. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "The Double Switch" - Gene sets a cunning trap for a thieving rancher who tries to stage a phony holdup with money earmarked for fixing up country roads. Song: "When the Bloom is on the Sage." "The Star Toter" - When the town sheriff is killed by a bank robber, Gene takes over totin' the star and must bring the bandit to justice while convincing the thief's young son to forsake his father's ways and live on the straight and narrow. Song: "Back in the Saddle Again." "The Posse" - When the town bank is robbed, the trail leads to "Whopper" Daro, a reformed bandit and famous liar. Gene and Pat try to clear Whopper of the crime and track the real bandits while helping Whopper save face with his visiting daughter by pretending that he is the owner of Gene's ranch. Song: "Pretty Mary." "Blackwater Valley Feud" - A land war heats up when a rancher is found murdered. Gene must clear the name of the framed rancher and bring the real killer to justice. Song: "That's My Home." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Morals Behind The Stories
This DVD is the typical Gene Autry Western. Each show portrays great moral value and ideals. In "The Star Toter," Gene show a young boy that the good guys can come out the winner, thus overshadowing the bad influences of a father on the wrong side of the law. In "The Posse" Gene show that everyone deserves a second chance, when he helps an ex-con who refused to give into backmail from the bad guys. These are just two examples that the children that grew up watching Gene Autry learned from. In "Doubleswitch" and "Blackwater Valley Feud", Gene tangles with the bad guys and as always, the cowboy in the white hat is Hero again. The Wrigley Chewing Gum commercials are a flash back into the early years when life was simpler and the Silver Screen legends like Gene Autry were looked up to as role models. The picture quality is great. As an Autry Fan and Collector I give this DVD 5 stars and I strongly urge you to let your children watch the man who as country Singer Johnny Cash once said was "a champion riding on Champion" for a good dose of moral integrity and values. All this Autry Fan can say is "I am glad that Gene Autry Still Rides The Trail." America still needs a Hero like him today!!!

Gene Autry Western Fan (Part2)
Now that I have had a chance to see two of the episodes of this DVD, I would like to to make an additional comment about the shows episodes, the background music is almost unbearable. The music shows no relationship to the action whatsoever, it really grates on the nerves. This is a great pity, because it spoils to some extent what are excellent shows. The shows as I said before have been excellently copied and restored, the shows have all the ingredients of good Gene Autry westerns, good music, plenty of action and have a good moral theme. It's a pity that Gene Autry did'nt pick a musical director who knew how to add the proper music ,and when not to add music, to his shows.

Gene Autry Western Fan
I have just received my copy of "Double Switch" and I am very happy that I ordered it. The DVD is excellent value for money, both in quality and content. I especially like the extra features which shows clippings from some of Gene Autry's films, these clipping serve to illustrate the 10 Gene Autry codes. One of these clippings is in color from the film, "Strawberry Roan", a film I wish was available, as I have never seen this. These clippings added to the other extra features of the disc make this DVD one of the best value Gene Autry items available. Apart from the other available DVD of the Gene Autry Shows on DVD, namely " Gold Dust Charlie" I hope that Image Entertainment will be able to make more Gene Autry shows available to the public on DVD and at the same quality and value. If they do, I would be happy to buy them all. ... Read more

Description

Saddle up, ride along and sing along with America's favorite cowboy into the golden age of television, where a white hat meant hero and a guitar was just as handy as a pearl-handled six-gun. Every week from 1950 to 1955, Gene Autry, the original singing cowboy and star of the rodeo ring, records, radio and the big screen, rounded up a whole herd of thrill-packed adventures and wagonloads of laughter right in America's living room. So, load up your cap gun, grab hold of the reins and get ready to ride off into a black and white sunset on the dusty trail to action and excitement. Episodes: "Gold Dust Charlie" - When Gold Dust Charlie turns up dead, Gene must outwit the claimjumpin' murderer and bring him to justice. Song: "Cowboy Blues." "Head for Texas" - Gene teams up with a down-on-his-luck jockey to stop a band of cattle rustlers who use a clever trick to steal livestock from a lovely lady ranch owner. Song: "Sing Me a Song of the Saddle." "The Doodle Bug" - Gene investigates a series of stagecoach holdups and discovers a gang of thieves and a pretty school marm in distress. Song: "Ridin' Down the Canyon." "The Silver Arrow" - When a witness to murder is found dead, pierced with a silver arrow, Gene and Pat Buttram help the accused man who has been framed. Together they flush out the real killer as he tries to steal the deed to a gold mine. Song: "Can't Shake the Sands of Texas from My Shoes." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Gold Dust Charlie - Gene Autry
If you grew up watching these old westerns on TV you will enjoy This DVD which features the first 4 episodes of one of the earliest of all TV horse operas.Aimed basically at those growing at the time the stories are quite juvenile and corny, nevertheless they are well produced and provide a fine nostalgia trip for those of an appropriate age.
From a technical point of view the picture and sound have been remastered and quality is excellent.Extras include Autry sponsoring Wrigley chewing gum and a Gene Autry singalong jukebox ! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Be forewarned
Be forewarned....the very opening of the movie on this DVD has been truncated. The source for these transfers is evidently a program hosted by Roy and Dale in their later years. While I have no problem with the DVD's containing the intros, I did not pay for a movie that is not in its entirety...COMPLETE opening credits and all.

Secondly, the source is not good either. Roan Group did a much better job with their Roy Roger movie transfers.

In spite of being "Authorized by the Roy Rogers Estate"...which made me this a safe purchase....these Happy Trails Theatre DVD's are anything BUT high quality.

EARLY ROGERS AND EVANS MOVIE BEFORE TEAMING AS DUO.
A WESTERN TRAVEL AGENT'S CLERK (IN NEW JERSEY 1940'S)DISSATISFIED WITH HER POSITION DREAMS OF TAKING A TOUR OUT WEST ON HER OWN. THAT DAY COMES AND SHE RUNS AWAY FROM HER JOB AND RELATIVES TO HEAD WEST. THEY CATCH UP WITH HER IN ARIZONA AND SHE DISABLES THE CAR SO THEY CAN'T TAKE HER BACK. A COWBOY JUST HAPPENS ALONG TO LEND A HAND. HE RELUCTENTLY TAKES THEM TO THE GHOST TOWN OF EL DORADO. WHERE THE CLERK MEETS UP WITH AN ADMIRER OF THE DANCE HALL QUEEN OF 40 YEARS AGO. THE CLERK IS THE QUEEN'S GRANDDAUGHTER, THROUGH THE MIRACLE OF FLASHBACK WE GO BACK TO THOSE DAYS ONCE AGAIN AND RELIVE THE HAPPY ENDING OF THE STORY. ... Read more