classicsoncall The self referential quote by Roy Rogers in my summary line adequately addresses the typical Western formula for this picture, except that it's not that typical in some respects. For starters, Roy is joined by Tito Guizar in something of a dual feature role here as the Mexican singing cowboy complementing Roy's usual heroics. Along those same lines, there are a couple of leading ladies to back up their respective cowboy counterparts, with Estelita Rodriguez and Jane Frazee in something of a dubious competition for Queen of the West since Dale Evans (soon to be Roy's real life wife) is nowhere in sight.Say, keep on eye on that early scene when Roy recovers Candy Martin's (Frazee) missing suitcase and her clothes strewn across the countryside. To help her get the suitcase closed, Roy sits on it as portions of her clothing stick out the side. Yet when Roy's good deed is complete, there's no hint of any stray garments. I thought it a little risqué that Roy used his teeth to engage one of Miss Martin's slips as he picked up the rest of her stuff. If I had to bet, this was probably the closest Roy ever got to something evenly remotely suggesting something sexy.With Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers on hand, the story took a number of opportunities to present a variety of song numbers. 'On the Old Spanish Trail' bookends the movie with Roy in the lead, and later on he duets with Jane Frazee while Guizar is given an opportunity to solo in the second half. Apparently Republic found this casting formula successful because all of the principals, along with Andy Devine, came together once again the following year in "The Gay Ranchero".The curious thing about this picture now that I think about it is how it ends relative to the story line established at the outset. A sheriff and a banker call on Roy to get payment on a ten thousand dollar loan taken out by the Sons of the Pioneers. With a convenient reward in the same amount on the head of the mysterious 'Gypsy' (Guizar as Rico), one would conclude that Roy would save the day by coming up with the cash by capturing the Mexican bandit. Instead, the issue never came up again!

Michael Morrison Roy Rogers movies tend to be pretty lightweight, at least the ones I've been able to see within memory.But Roy Rogers himself is endearing.I think it was while watching "Dark Command," the John Wayne movie (though Claire Trevor gets first billing, for some reason), that I first realized Roy Rogers was really an excellent actor.It is likely that he rose to such prominence mostly because of his winning personality and good looks, rather than the movie plots, but in studying Western movie history, I learned that when he was given his chance to be the star of his own series, he set out to be good at his job. For example, he took riding lessons, and in my opinion was one of the best riders, certainly among those who hadn't been riders since childhood (such as John Wayne and Gary Cooper).And even late in life, he was still a good singer, having been a great one earlier.This movie gave us Rogers in really good form: He got to do just about everything he was good at, singing, riding, and acting.I was rather bored in the beginning, but by golly this movie takes off and becomes downright exciting.Of course, there is a great cast, with the Sons of the Pioneers getting to stand out, and stunts and action by the great Fred Graham.Each cast member is memorable, and I highly recommend this to everyone. Those who enjoy Hollywood history especially should watch and pay attention to the individuals performing. You'll find it fun and educational.

Mike Newton I believe this film was my very first RR film, followed by The Far Frontier, which convinced me that the only cowboy hero to emulate for me was Roy Rogers. Why else would they call him "King of the Cowboys." I do recall having the 78 rpm record of the title song and memorizing the words. On the flip side was "I've Got A Feelin' (that somebody's stealing my darling). While I have only seen the truncated b&w version, I know that there is a fight scene missing from where Tito Guizar is recovering from a gunshot wound and the heavies want to take him back to town for the reward. Roy intercedes and there is a fight resulting in a fall into a nearby lake. This scene is included in the original trailer which is available along with other B westerns on video. I particularly like the song "Here is my helping hand" done by the Sons of the Pioneers which expressed their willingness to help out Roy in a crisis. Hopefully they will release the complete edition on DVD so that younger generations can appreciate a typical Saturday afternoon RR western.

krorie Roy Rogers deserved his title of "King of the Cowboys." He could sing western songs better than any of the other singing cowboys with the possible exception of Tex Ritter, plus he was one of the best yodelers around, which few people realized. He also fit the image of a singing cowboy from the old west, even though he was actually from Ohio. His horse, Trigger, was called "The Smartest Horse in the Movies," because he probably was. Roy had a winning personality with a certain magnetism that drew kids to him. He had helped start the Sons of the Pioneers, one of the best vocal groups around, with a top notch songwriter from Canada, Bob Nolan. All these things combined to make a Roy Rogers western a real treat. He later found a partner on and off the screen who could be called "The Queen of the West," the talented and lovely Dale Evans.All of these things, except Dale is not in the film, should have made "On the Old Spanish Trail" a winner. It also had a competent funny man, Andy Divine, to help out in the humor department. The villain was not Roy Barcroft this go around but rather Charles McGraw who would later star in the film noir classic "Narrow Margin." There are also two beautiful leading ladies rather than one, Jane Frazee and Estelita Rodriguez, who plays somewhat of a spitfire as the Gypsy's (Tito Guizar) jealous girlfriend. And the action sequences, especially the stagecoach chase toward the end, are marvelous. Only Republic could do such a splendid job in 1947.But there is a problem with "On the Old Spanish Trail" and it is a big one. Republic tried to give the fans not only two leading ladies but also two leading men. Roy is purposely overshadowed in several scenes by Tito Guízar who plays sort of a Zorro type character known as the Gypsy. He is also a singer. Tito had a great voice but it was much too refined and proper for singing cowboy ballads. He possessed a fine operatic voice. Tito's acting was also at times on the hammy side. I gather from all this that Republic was apparently grooming Tito for his own Saturday matinée series. If the viewer can overlook the spotlight being thrust on Tito throughout much of the film, then this Roy Rogers outing should be pleasing for his many fans.