Bells of Rosarita (1945)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Touches You

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Copyright 13 May 1945 by Republic Pictures Corp. Presented by Republic Pictures on behalf of Republic Productions, Inc. Executive producer: Herbert J. Yates. No New York opening. U.S. release: 19 June 1945. U.K. release through British Lion: December 1945. Australian release through British Empire Films: 6 March 1947. Lengths: 7 reels, 68 minutes (U.S.); 55 minutes (U.K.); 6,417 feet, 71 minutes (Australia).SYNOPSIS: Roy Rogers saves a circus from an unscrupulous mortgagor.COMMENT: Rogers' best film and one of the high points of Republic "B" production in the 40s - all this despite a large number of flaws:Firstly, the basic premise of the plot is impossibly silly and old-hat. True, it's often a convenient peg for the songs and other antics, but it's just so ridiculous it deserved to be sent up instead of being played perfectly straight.Our second problem is that the print under review has been duped from the U.K. release which is missing at least 13 minutes. Mind you, there are no gaps in the story. It's quite possible that the missing footage contained more songs (presumably at least one by Bob Nolan who doesn't sing a note in this version. All he does is look amiably/jealously on while Roy does all warbling) and yet more comedy relief from that tiresomely loud-mouthed, aptly-named windbag, "Gabby" Hayes.Now let's get to the high points. First, just look at that cast! Yes, it's great to see all Republic's western stars except John Wayne (the script explains he is away on location) in the one film - and some of them cleverly introduced in studio scenes too. I'm sure all of us are enthusiasts for movies about movie-making - and oddly enough this is one of the best, for in Bells of Rosarita's most interesting scenes, Frank McDonald and his technicians play themselves. McDonald has a large, speaking part, but we also get a good look at photographer Ernest Miller acting as his own clapper-boy, and assistant director John Grubbs calling the crew to order. In order to build up his importance, McDonald is shown directing the extremely elaborate title number with Rogers, Nolan, the Mitchell Choir, the entrancing Janet Martin and a huge crowd of colorful extras. The brilliant way this sequence is shot and edited is absolutely breathtaking. Allied with the most attractive song, it becomes one of the most memorable movie moments in the entire history of the "B" western. This sequence is so perfect, we ran it over and over - at least seven times - at our screening and were constantly amazed at the precision and skill of the film editing. (Yet Roberts isn't even listed in the standard book The Motion Picture Film Editor by René L. Ash, published by The Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, N.J., 1974).Earlier in the film, McDonald is shown directing a vigorous action sequence complete with running inserts and daredevil stunts. The climax is also handled from the camera truck (which we actually see in the first episode), though disfigured by a few obvious studio inserts. Nice to see Bob Wilke as a deputy sheriff, though he has no dialogue.Aside from the too-garrulous Hayes, the players acquit themselves nobly. Mr Slye is in excellent voice and manages to hold his own with the Mitchell Choir. Miss Evans is an agreeable straight shooter too, while Adele Mara makes a surprisingly sprightly second-heroine. Even "Shug" Fisher has an important role.In addition, there's a delightfully high-stepping chorus line. The songs themselves are so attractive, it's a mystery to us the sound track has never been released - not even on a bootleg label. Maybe this good write-up will start a trend.

Bells of Rosarita (1945) *** (out of 4) A rather original Western has Roy Rogers and Republic Pictures in a small town filming a movie when he gets involved with a young woman (Dale Evans) who is about to lose her property due to a bad debt of her dead father. It turns out that the father actually paid the debt but there's just no proof so Roy comes to the rescue with a bunch of other Republic cowboys (Don Berry, Bill Elliott, Bob Livingston, Sunset Carson, Allan Lane). Say what you want about the "B" Westerns but I think even the most jaded people would have to give this film credit for at least being original and fun. The entire set-up of the movie production added a real twist to an already familiar story and it took this movie to a new level. Had the film simply told the story of a pretty girl being cheated out of her land then that's really nothing new. Added to the story of a movie studio and real actors coming to the rescue was a neat little trick and really sealed the deal. I thought there were some funny moments where the film takes shots at movies, cowboy stars and that type of thing and we even get a funny joke aimed at John Wayne. As you'd expect, Rogers fits his role just fine and comes across very charming during the more tender scenes but also a real action star during the fights. He gets to sing several tunes including the title track, the catchy "I'm Going to Build a Big Fence Around Texas," and a highly entertaining sequence when we get "When the Circus Comes to Town." Evans, as usual, makes for a good lead lady and we get some nice support from the one and only Gabby Hayes. The other Republic cowboy stars just make cameos but it's nice seeing everyone together and it certainly adds to the film. BELLS OF ROSARITA isn't a John Ford masterpiece but it's quite fun with a good story, fun songs and some nice action.

In Bells Of Rosarita Roy Rogers steps out of any character and simply plays himself, Roy Rogers singing cowboy movie star. He's asked by Dale Evans who is playing a character to help save her circus and her ranch which the circus uses as headquarters from the clutches of the evil Grant Withers.It's not a request directly from Dale. Rather it comes from the kids who make up the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir who love the circus and love the Roy Rogers films. What they want him to do is be the cowboy hero in real life that he is on the screen. Whatever else he was, Roy does feel an obligation to his public.In a move worthy of a Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland film, Roy offers his services and that of fellow Republic cowboy heroes, Wild Bill Elliott, Allan Lane, Don Barry, Bob Livingston, and Sunset Carson for a show. The climax involves a robbery and a chase and these guys all form a posse with Roy. Would any gang of outlaws stand a chance with this posse?The film also has a bit of humor with Roy remarking at one point after shooting off a tin chimney from a cabin where the outlaws are held up that he did that in a film once. And two of the others remark that in the final shootout that the blanks in their western guns aren't going to cut it. That was refreshing that these guys didn't take this all that seriously. Gave something for the adults in the audience to enjoy besides Dale Evans and her sidekick Adele Mara.Bells Of Rosarita was a good one from Republic with Roy aided and abetted by the best posse any cowboy hero ever had. As Gabby Hayes would remark, 'you're durn tootin'.

Sue Farnum is in danger of losing her recently inherited circus, so she has a friend Slim Philips come out west with her (along w/ his daughter Patty) to see what can be done. While out west, the group encounters Roy filming his latest movie, and when Roy discovers the plight of Sue, he helps by staging a circus show w/ Republic's biggest B western names (Bill Elliott, Allan Lane, Sunset Carson, Don Barry, and Robert Livingston. John Wayne was out of town). The biggest obstacle is Ripley, Farnum's partner in the circus, who is trying to claim the circus as his own by trying to destroy a receipt that Farnum paid off his share of the circus, even kidnapping Philips to get it. Roy and the gang go to save the day before the show must get on. This B western has everything a fan can want from the genre: Action, Thrills, Humor, Singing, and done so well. Every performer is at the top of their game and it shows, as well as script, directing, and score. Favorite moments for me are the "funeral procession" as well as Roy Barcroft commenting on the crooks hanging around. Rating, based on B westerns, 10.