Heart of the Golden West

Tired of dealing with the gangsterish owner of the area's only trucking company, Roy Rogers and the local cattlemen try to lure a riverboat line into starting a route on the near-bye river. The only problem is that the owner of the company has a wild west phobia, of which the crooked truckers plan on exploiting to maximum effect.

The emphasis this time is on raucous comedy, with sidekicks Smiley Burnette and George "Gabby" Hayes in top form, threatening to steal the movie from Roy. The scene where they accidentally start a fire inside their two-man horse costume is gut-busting hilarious, as is the earlier gag where they barge into the frightened riverboat owner's room dressed like "scary" western characters.

Great photography, rowdy action, and a few good songs also help make this one of Roy's best unsung adventures. It appears as if Republic Pictures threw a bit more money than usual (for a Saturday matinée western) at this project.

The film's musical highlight occurs when Roy joins The Hall Johnson Choir and The Sons Of The Pioneers to sing an absolutely fantastic old-time spiritual on the banks of the river.

Recommended.