The Golden Stallion (1949)

Pretty Good

good back-story, and good acting

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Wild horses are used to smuggle diamonds across the border from Mexico to the United States. The jewels are hidden in horseshoes. Meanwhile, well-known horse trainer Roy Rogers (as Roy Rogers) goes to work at the "Circle B" ranch owned by singing cowgirl Dale Evans (as Stormy Billings). They make pretty music together, although Mr. Rogers prefers closer companionship with his horse "Trigger". The smartest horse in the movies gets involved with the smugglers by mating with a mare they use to transport their diamonds. The union produces "Trigger Jr." and provides Rogers and his horse with danger and adventure...Director Quentin Tarantino elevated this "Trucolor" western by citing it for a discussion on films, which makes this an interesting watch. However, "The Golden Stallion" is more ordinary than revelatory. Most Rogers pictures are pleasant, and it's possible to elevate any one of them, at any moment. Here, you have a great scene - where Rogers "takes the rap" for a crime, to save Trigger from a death sentence. Rogers' lie is blatant, but acceptable. Unfortunately, the film leaves the potential for a good morality story right there. Neither Rogers nor Trigger committed the crime, which the script never gets around to resolving.***** The Golden Stallion (11/15/49) William Witney ~ Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Pat Brady, Douglas Evans

This well done b-western, entertaining and with just the right musical touches, has probably the best views of the oft used Iverson Movie Ranch. Tru-color images of this area add to the beauty of this filming location with its famous rock formations, flat stage coach chase roads, just right for the herd of horses to run across; the Iverson ranch, sadly mostly covered today by condos, apartments, and houses at least retains a lot of the rock formations to remind what a great location this once was for filming. Plus Roy, Dale, Estelita, and Pat Brady and the wonderful Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage are great as expected. In my view, the Iverson Ranch and the horses are the real stars of this film.

In The Golden Stallion some diamond smugglers have discovered a really clever way to practice their trade. They use a specially constructed horseshoe and send one of their horses in with a wild herd that goes back and forth across the border from Mexico to the states. Of course you need a good leader for these horses and in this case it's a palomino mare. But those plans go up the spout when the mare catches sight of Trigger. That little horse romance throws quite a kink into their plans. Also some humans in the person of Dale Evans and her friend Estelita Rodriguez who take over a ranch with their horse trainer Roy Rogers. They'd like to capture the wild herd and break them.Through a combination of circumstances, Trigger gets accused of murdering one of the bad guys and since he's not Mister Ed, he can't speak up for himself. Roy sacrifices his own freedom and takes a manslaughter rap to save his beloved horse. I'm not sure he'd do the same for Dale.Though I'm being somewhat flip in my comments The Golden Stallion is rather touching in terms of Roy's devotion to his best friend. I'm sure Roy's legion of young fans had a special place of affection for The Golden Stallion among his films.This film might have been the first appearance of Pat Brady with his cantankerous jeep Nellybelle that had its own personality. Watching Roy's half hour television show in the fifties, I well remember Pat and Nellybelle and how that jeep always let him down at a crucial moment.The Golden Stallion does rank as one of the better of Roy Rogers features for Republic. It's heartwarming and touching if just a tad unreal.

This sagebrush story is out of the ordinary; and a memorable Roy Rogers vehicle. Trigger falls in love with a beautiful golden mare that has stolen treasure inside a specially made shoe by diamond smugglers. When Trigger watches the mare being abused by the villainous smugglers, he kills one of them. Roy takes the blame for his four-legged pal and ends up behind bars. Fans of Trigger will delight in this one. Also in the cast: Dale Evans, Pat Brady, Frank Fenton, Estelita Rodriguez, Chester Conklin and Riders of the Purple Sage. THE GOLDEN STALLION is directed by B-movie master William Witney. An action packed 67 minutes. Recommended for a nice twin-bill: BELLS of SAN ANGELO(1947).