Such a frustrating disappointment

Sorry, this movie sucks

Overrated and overhyped

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

In "The Old Corral" (1936), Republic managed to assemble such a fine cast into the fast-moving yet laden-with-musical-numbers script that even director Joe Kane was inspired to contribute some unusually stylish and super-competent work. Mind you, this is a favorite Autry vehicle not only with me but with Roy Rogers' fans (the scene in which Gene forces Roy to sing is a classic). Lon Chaney, Junior's fans are cheering too, although in point of fact, Lon has actually little to do. Although cramming an unusual number of songs into 56 minutes (fourteen to be precise), a fair bit of action is also center stage, featuring fast inserts and exciting stunt work. (Formerly available both on an excellent Echo Bridge and Platinum Disc DVD).

Despite the novelty of having Roy Rogers appear (very briefly) in this Gene Autry film, there is very little to distinguish this cowboy film. The plot isn't especially interesting and Autry doesn't sing anything particularly memorable or enjoyable.The film begins with a mobster murdering some sap--and a woman witnessing it. Instead of going to the police, she runs--and ends up out west. Naturally she soon meets up with nice-guy, Gene and the two soon end up between a local gang of jerks (one of which is played by Lon Chaney, Jr.) and the gang from back east. Can Gene restore niceness to the land? And, will anyone particularly care?I've seen a few dozen Autry films and would have to place it near the bottom. Even the usually likable Smiley Burnette and his antics are really subdued in this one and the action never really heats up. A slow-motion sort of picture at best with little to distinguish it.

This is one of Gene Autry's most easily obtained films, but if you pick up a recently made copy, you're likely to see Roy Rogers with equal billing on the video or DVD sleeve. It was only one of two times that the cowboy stars appeared in a film together, and since it was Gene's picture for Republic Studios, Roy appears uncredited as one of the Sons of the Pioneers. Actually, he might have been between names as it were. Born Leonard Slye, his name with the Pioneers was Dick Weston before he became Gene's replacement at Republic as Roy Rogers.Smiley Burnette is on hand as Autry's sidekick here as he often was, his character was named Frog owing to that deep, low falsetto he sometimes uses. Perhaps the most unique casting decision of the film, after the fact of course, was that of Lon Chaney Jr. as a henchman for Martin Simms (Cornelius Keefe). It would be another five years or so before "The Wolf Man" would establish Chaney's name as a horror icon, but you know, he appeared in quite a few Westerns in his career, and some quite good ones at that, including 1952's "High Noon". You'll also catch him as a guest in a handful of classic TV Westerns as his career was winding down.As far as the story goes, "The Old Corral" is one of those modern Westerns where the Old West meets a developing America with automobiles and electrical appliances in plain sight; I thought it was pretty cool to see a General Electric marquee during an opening traffic scene. I wonder if that was a little bit of early product placement, or just a consequence of being in the right place at the right time.The plot has a story loosely built around a witness to a murder back East, with singer Eleanor Spencer (Hope Manning) attempting to maintain a low profile in an out of the way town called Turquoise City where Gene is sheriff. Actually, there are two sets of bad guys in the picture, with gangster Scarlotti (John Bradford) chasing Spencer cross country to eliminate her as a witness, while Simms and Garland (Chaney) try to ingratiate themselves with the singer in order to cash in with Scarlotti.You know, I'll never be able to figure out why the shooting starts in a lot of these early 'B' oaters. For example, when Scarlotti's gang takes off in their car chasing Simms and Spencer, one of the gangsters turns and shoots at Gene during the Turquoise Day festivities. What would have been the motivation for that? - he could have hurt somebody!Here's something to think about. When Scarlotti arrived at Turquoise City, he had five henchmen along with him. During the final confrontation with the good guys, Smiley shoots the driver, one is run over by the cattle stampede, and another is shown being shot and falling down (Smiley again). Presumably, those villains are as good as dead, but at the very end, all six are shown in jail together! No math majors on this set.But I guess that's what made up the fun in these early films, with not much thought given to logic and reasoning. That, and a healthy smattering of cowboy crooners belting out the tunes. Gene was actually pretty generous in sharing the singing assignments here. While he handles his share, Roy and the Pioneers knock out a couple as well, and Smiley shows his versatility by playing an accordion and harmonica at the same time, while using his feet to bang a xylophone! Oh yeah, Gene and Roy both yodel too!

It is fun to watch this old movie and see a young Roy Rogers as well as Gene Autry. Sure, by today's standards it is corny, but that is a lot of the fun. Plus, it is a history lesson of autos and buses of the time. I like to guess where the outdoor scenes were done. Looks like some Lone Pine background in much of it. The music is uncomplicated and harmonic whichseems unappreciated today. Another fun aspect of this era of Westerns is the blending of "modern" technology with the old west. A curious technical "error" can be seen when the brothers are behind bars in jail with their guns on.