Michael_Elliott 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.

bkoganbing 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'.

Mike Newton In one scene, Don "Red" Barry is called to the phone during the shooting of one of his films. This is evidently a modern day film since he is dressed in 1940's attire, not western clothes. As he leaves the movie set to answer the phone off stage, look at the actress who has been in the scene with him. Her hair is done up in a fashionable upsweep and she is wearing a long designer gown. This is Helen Talbot who appeared in some of Barry's films. Since she was a contract actress, Republic put her in films just as "set decoration." Although this film was shot about the time of THE CHICAGO KID, in which Barry co-starred with Lynne Roberts, the "movie scene" was not part of the film and was included just to give the flavor of behind-the-scenes at Republic.

Snow Leopard This is a very good Roy Rogers feature, perhaps among the best of his many B-Westerns. It is, as usual, primarily light entertainment, with a lot of humor and music, and this time there is some clever irony deriving from the setting - Roy plays himself, acting in a cowboy feature and at the same time getting involved in a situation that in some respects parallels his film. Dale Evans and Gabby Hayes complete the picture, and there are short appearances by several other Western stars of the era.The story starts with Dale and Gabby heading west to try to save a circus that belonged to the father of Dale's character, while the unscrupulous Ripley (Grant Withers) has plans to take it over himself by any means necessary. As soon as Dale and Gabby arrive, they find themselves mixed up in a scene from the movie (whose title is also "Bells of Rosarita") that Roy and Bob Nolan are shooting. It's a funny scene, and cleverly done, and it sets up the story that follows as well as establishing the connection between film and reality. Most of the actual plot is not to be taken too seriously - the villains are, as usual, pretty incompetent - but it has a very pleasant tone, and a pretty good variety of action and entertainment.This is very good for a B-Western, and certainly recommended for any fan of Roy Rogers or for those who like Westerns of the era.