ChikPapa Very disappointed :(

Steinesongo Too many fans seem to be blown away

SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

SeeQuant Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

JohnHowardReid Copyright 14 August 1939 by Republic Pictures Corp. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 14 August 1939. U.K. release through British Lion. Australian release through British Empire Films: 11 April 1940. 8 reels. 6,553 feet. 73 minutes. SYNOPSIS: Gene, as an army man, is assigned to try and straighten out the difficulties with the ranchers who occupy a section the government wants to use a proving grounds for bombing planes. With a bunch of army buddies Gene joins the ranchers using his experience as a former cowhand to win them over to the government's point of view. But the owner of a large and profitable borax works does not want the army to come in. With his henchman he tries to make it appear that the army fliers are using ruthless tactics to frighten the ranchers. The latter determine to offer armed resistance to the take over. They throw up a barricade in the town but Gene comes up with proof that the borax owner and his gang are responsible for the dirty work.NOTES: Autry's 35th of his 94 movies.COMMENT: An unusual Autry vehicle in a number of ways. The plot is used as a peg on which to hang a great deal of patriotic talk and a defence of the superior fighting force concept that still figures strongly even in present-day politics. The villains kill the heroine's kid brother. There are no less than seven songs (we enjoyed all of them) plus a zingy musical interlude by the Hoosier Hot Shots. Comic relief is cut to a minimum once the plot gets into stride and Burnette's part virtually disappears (he has no songs either). There is nonetheless a fair amount of action topped by one of the most large-scale climactic action sequences ever filmed for a B-western - a shoot-out involving hundreds of extras and considerable location filming. The locations are quite strikingly used in a few shots too. Some of the earlier action pieces use stock footage but the climax is all-new material. Autry is in good voice and even does one of his own stunts though a stand-in is rather obviously used in an early bronco-busting sequence. Burnette and Hayes turn in their usual characterizations. Miss Storey makes a pretty heroine, though her part is small. Hale does a much more convincing job here as the villain than he does as Mr Dithers in the Blondie films. The direction is fast-paced and other credits are equally smooth.

bkoganbing Talk about dated, if a picture like In Old Monterey ever were made today with the plot premise it had it would be picketed and hooted off the screen. It was only in 1939 with war clouds gathering over Europe that the ideas put forth here could be advanced.Gene Autry plays an army sergeant who goes on detached duty to do of all things persuade several ranchers to give up their lands held as Gabby Hayes says by several generations over to the army for their military war games, specifically those of the Army Air Corps. Of course in this mix are a pair of villains looking to exploit the situation for their own nefarious ends.We are told that there are no other suitable lands available to which I say that is so much cattle waste product.And in a burst of patriotic fervor Gene actually talks these people into it. I was staggered to say the least.In the true tradition of B westerns the film has absolutely nothing to do with Monterey or old Mexico other It Happened In Monterey is among the songs that Autry sings in the film. The audacity of this message for today's audience is unbelievable.

Bill-16 Lots of slapstick and Pre WWII military machinery.High patriotism even had me signing along and waving the Stars and Stripes at times. I almost enlisted before I remembered I was too old for service.I was particularly interested in the pre war aircraft and even a mini tank that provided some humor with Smiley Burnette at the helm. Planes, a tank and even a calvary charge. Some Three Stooges slapstick along with the usual fight scenes made this a cut above the usual Autry Oater of the time.I'd go to war with Sgt. Autry anytime. Shooting a plane down with his trusty Winchester, Yee Ha!

funkyfry Fun, forgettable comedy actioner with Frog and Autry and the added bonus of the legendary Gabby Hayes to round off the comedy talent. Autry's sent on a special mission by the army to convince a town to give up its land so the army can run drills there. Yes, it's a war preparedness western, in which the ego-centered ethic of the West is turned on its head by Autry convincing Hayes and the other townsfolk to abandon their homes and livelihoods for the greater good. A few songs are sun (no outstanding material from Burnette). Not especially entertaining, but not particularly unpleasant.