Roy Rogers

(On Cable TV, May 2021) As far as 1930s westerns go, Under Western Stars is remarkable for at least two reasons. For one thing, it’s the debut film of Roy Rogers, who would go on to become an icon of mid-century America. For another, and far more interestingly, it’s a western with strong political themes, and from a populist dirt-bowl perspective at that. For someone so closely associated with capitalistic Hollywood, it’s a bit of a surprise to realize, early on, that all-virtuous Roy Rogers is fighting against the security guards trying to prevent farmers from opening the gate to a dam restricting the flow of water to their ranches. The stage is thus set for Rogers to run for congress, win the election and get influential backing for a bill aiming to fairly distribute the common property. Interesting stuff, considering the easy clichés that dominated westerns at the time. Rogers himself does have a likable presence, and the film makes a lot out of the singing-cowboy persona he was groomed for. (Legend has it that Rogers got the leading part because the studio wanted to give a lesson to the previous singing cowboy Gene Autry when he held off for more money.)  There are more musical interludes than you’d expect from a western, and the then-contemporary setting of the film is also a welcome departure from wild-west history. Under Western Stars is really not the film I was expecting from its description as “a 1930s western,” and its politics alone are well worth a look.