Under California Stars ** (1948, Roy Rogers, Andy Devine, Jane Frazee) – Classic Movie Review 11,877

Roy Rogers, Jane Frazee, and Andy Devine.

Director William Witney’s 1948 American Trucolor Western film Under California Stars [Under California Skies] stars Roy Rogers, Andy Devine and Jane Frazee.

It’s Roy Rogers (as himself) and Devine (as Cookie Bullfincher) to the rescue when his horse Trigger is kidnapped by Pop Jordan (George Lloyd) and a gang of rustlers, demanding a $100,000 ransom, in an amusing junior-league Western that keeps trotting along. Jane Frazee also stars as Caroline Bullfincher, the horse trainer at Roy’s ranch.

As always, Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers (as musician ranch hands) are along for the ride.

Also in the cast are Michael Chapin, George H Lloyd, Wade Crosby and Steve Clark.

It is shot at Chatsworth Park, Los Angeles, and Santa Clarita, California.

Roy Rogers, Jane Frazee and the Sons of the Pioneers sing ‘Under California Stars’ (written by Jack Elliott), Andy Devine and the Sons of the Pioneers sing ‘Rogers, King of the Cowboys’ (written by Jack Elliott), Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers sing ‘Dust’ (written by Johnny Marvin), the Sons of the Pioneers sing ‘Serenade to a Coyote’ (written by Andy Parker) and Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers sing ‘Little Saddle Pal’ (written by Jack Elliott).

It was released on 30 April1948 in the US.

The film is now in the public domain.

William Whitney, runs 70 minutes, is made and released by Republic Pictures, is written by Sloan Nibley and Paul Gangelin, is shot in Trucolor by Jack A Marta, is produced by Edward J White, and is scored by Morton Scott.

The cast are Roy Rogers as Roy Rogers, Trigger as Roy’s horse Trigger, Jane Frazee as Caroline Bullfincher, Andy Devine as Cookie Bullfincher, George Lloyd as Pop Jordan, Wade Crosby as Lige McFarland, Michael Chapin as Ted Carver, House Peters Jr. as Henchman Ed, Steve Clark as Sheriff, Joseph A Garro as John the Banker, Paul Power as Movie Director Paul, John Wald as WYX Radio Announcer, Bob Nolan as Bob and Sons of the Pioneers as musician ranch hands.

Roy Rogers (born Leonard Franklin Slye, November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998), known as the King of the Cowboys, appeared in more than 100 films and many radio and TV episodes of The Roy Rogers Show.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 11,877

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