The Strawberry Roan (Columbia Pictures) (1948)

(Review) ‘Strawberry Roan’ In Cinecolor, Best Fiim Autry Made Gene Autry takes on all comers to save an outlaw horse in his latest Western adventure, “The Strawberry Roan,’ which came to the Theatre yesterday, and in this reviewer’s opinion, America’s favorite singing cowboy has never been better: But although the star and his famous horse, Champion, in the title role, come in for the major honors in this fast-moving, outdoor drama, everyone connected with the production deserves special words of praise. The acting, photography (filmed in vibrantly-hued Cinecolor), screenplay writing and direction all combine to make “The Strawberry Roan” a “must” on every movie-goers’ list. In supporting roles are lovely Gloria Henry, veteran character actor Jack Holt, Dick Jones (“Henry Aldrich” of radio fame) and Pat Buttram, comedian recently heard on the Phil Harris-Alice Faye program. The Dwight Cummins-Dorothy Yost screenplay tells of the capture of a magnificent wild stallion by the cowboys of the Bar-B ranch, owned by Walt Bailey (Jack Holt). When his son Joe (Dick Jones) tries to “break” the horse, he is thrown and thought to be crippled for life. Bailey orders the stallion shot, but Autry, ranch foreman, allows the animal to escape. The furious Bailey declares them both outlaws and posts a reward for their seizure. Autry learns that Joe has no interest in life now that he has lost the roan. The cowboy determines to gentle the animal and give him to the kid. But only by quick-thinking, and two-fisted daring does Autry avoid the gun-crazed posses sent after him. He is finally able to bring young Joe around by allowing him to ride on the tamed roan, and the stubborn Bailey acknowledges his mistake. Skillfully woven into the plot are several song numbers which Autry warbles in his easy, nonchalant style. Outlaw Stallion More exciting than any manhunt is the furious chase of a wild outlaw stallion who was branded a killer in Columbia’s Cinecolor outdoor drama, “The Strawberry Roan,” currently playing at the Theatre. Gene Autry stars, with his famous horse, Champion, playing the title role. Autry’s New Film An Exciting Story Of Wild Stallion Columbia’s new Gene Autry starrer, “The Strawberry Roan,” will be the next attraction at the Theatre, opening there on According to word-of-mouth publicity, Autry’s latest seems to be an ideal treat for every member of the family. It’s all about a wild outlaw stallion, branded a killer, and the man who took on all comers to win justice for the noble animal. Advance reports indicate that “The Strawberry Roan” lives up to Autry’s reputation for delivering excitement-packed, clean-cut Western adventure yarns combined with homespun comedy and melodious prairie ballads. In this picture, the singing cowboy’s famous horse, Champion, almost takes the spotlight away from his master. For he is the roan of the title, and the whole action is centered around him. An added factor in Champ’s favor is that the film was shot in magnificent outdoor Cinecolor. Important supporting roles are played by lovely Gloria Henry, veteran actor Jack Holt, Dick Jones (one-time Henry Aldrich of radio fame) and Pat Buttram, famous radio comedian. The Dwight Cummins-Doro thy Yost screenplay tells of the capture of the roan, his throw ing of the youngster who tries. to “break” him and the killer brand he gets as a result. Autry allows him to escape, hoping to gentle him and then becomes an outlaw himself. How the two finally prove their true worth is said to be thrilling screenfare, and an experience not to be missed. John English directed the Gene Autry production; Ar mand Schaefer produced. (Opening Notice) Autry Coming Soon In ‘Strawberry Roan’ Columbia’s Gene Autry starrer, “The Strawberry Roan,” will open on ..... at the Theatre. Filmed in Cinecolor, the picture also stars the singing cowboy’s famous horse, Champion, in the title role, and features Gloria Henry, Jack Holt, Dick Jones and Pat Buttram. John English directed the screenplay by Dwight Cummins and Dorothy Yost. The Gene Autry production was produced by Armand Schaefer. Strawberry Roan Mat 2-D; Prod. Still No. 65 Too late to get his gun, Gene Autry is trapped by desperadoes in Columbia's "The Strawberry Roan.’ Currently at the .......0.0..... Theatre, the film, Autry's first in color, also features the star's famous horse, Champion. (General Advance) ‘Strawberry Roan,’ Big Outdoor Film, Stars Autry in Color for First Time “The Strawberry Roan,” Gene Autry’s newest production for Columbia, is coming to the .... _.. Theatre and will open there Ong According to advance reports, movie fans can expect more of the same Autry brand of top-notch screen entertain. . ment which has made him America’s favorite singing cow boy. An added attraction door Cinecolor picture in color). cast and crew of one hundred were flown to Sedona, Arizona, and the picture’s six location sites were selected from the most visually-exciting spots in nearby Coconino National Forest. Said to be the thrill-packed story of an outlaw stallion who becomes a legend of the West and of the man who fights guncrazed posses to save his life, “The Strawberry Roan” stars Autry’s famous horse, Champion, in the title role. Featured parts are taken by Gloria Henry, lovely screen newcomer who garnered critics’ praise for her skillful performances in “Keeper of the Bees” and “Sport of Kings;” veteran actor Jack Holt, making one of his rare but welcome film appearances; youngster Dick Jones, “Henry Aldrich” of radio fame; and Pat Buttram, radio comedian recently featured on the Phil Harris-Alice Faye program. Written by Dwight Cummins and Dorothy Yost, “The Strawberry Roan” tells the tale of a noble wild stallion, captured by ranch owner Walt Bailey’s (Holt) cowboys and the attempts to gentle him. When Bailey’s son Joe (Dick Jones) tries to ride him, the lad is thrown and badly hurt. In racing away from Joe’s enraged father the horse plunges down a steep cliff to probable death. But Autry finds the animal and nurses his wounds, hoping to bring him back to the crippled youngster who now has no will to live since he believes the roan dead. Soon Bailey learns what Autry has done, accuses him of rustling and posts a reward for the capture of both the roan and his foreman. Connie (Gloria Henry), Bailey’s daughter, and young Joe urge Autry to give up, but he refuses. He holds out against reward-hungry ranchers until Joe is able to ride the roan, and the stubborn Bailey acknowledges his mistakes. Spotted throughout the film are five Western ballads which include “The Strawberry Roan,” “When the White Roses Bloom in Red River Valley,” “The Angel Song,” “Can’t Shake the Sands of Texas from My Shoes” and “Texas Sandman.” John English, who handled the reins on Autry’s “The Last Round-Up,” also directed this adventure yarn. Armand Schaefer produced the Gene Autry production. (Closing Notice) ‘Strawberry Roan’ Ends Local Run “The Strawberry Roan,” Columbia’s Gene Autry starrer now playing at the ...... Theatre, will end its engagement there on ........ The outdoor drama, filmed in Cinecolor, also stars Champion in the title role, and features Gloria Henry, Jack Holt, Dick Jones and Pat Buttram. The Gene Autry production was directed by John English and produced by Armand Schaefer. Dwight Cummins and Dorothy Yost wrote the screenplay. is. the. fact that “The Strawberry™ Roan” has been filmed in out-., (Autry’s first” The entire also’ Strawberry Roan Mat 2-E; Prod. Still No. 79 Life on a ranch comes to the screen in all its thrilling glory in Columbia's "The Strawberry Roan,"' in Cinecolor at the Theatre. Jack Holt, Gloria Henry, Gene Autry and Dick Jones are shown with Gene's horse, Champion. "The Strawberry Roan" marks Autry's first film in color. (Review) Autry and Champ Win New Glory in Color Hit The wild horse country hurls Gene Autry his greatest challenge in Columbia’s “The Strawberry Roan,” which opened yesterday at the Theatre. More exciting than any manhunt is the furious pursuit of an outlaw stallion, branded a killer, and the two-fisted cowboy who fights off a gun-crazed posse to win justice for the noble animal. Photographed in magnificent Cinecolor against the breathtakingly-beautiful background of some of Arizona’s choicest sites, “The Strawberry Roan” combines thrill-filled action with a tender story of loyalty, includes several lilting Western ballads which have been deftly fitted into the plot and just a hint of romance to satisfy the women in the audience. Starring with his master and even stealing a few scenes is the famous sorrel, Champion. He turns in a fine acting job as the wild animal who finally is broken by Autry. Featured prominently in the story are Gloria Henry, Jack Holt, Dick Jones and Pat Buttram. Miss Henry, one of the newer faces on the Hollywood scene, reveals a warmth and ease before the cameras which many of our more seasoned actresses could well afford to copy. In “The Strawberry Roan,’ she portrays ranch owner Jack Holt’s daughter who sides with foreman Autry when her own father wants to shoot the stallion after he has thrown youngster Dick Jones. Holt also comes through with a skillful character delineation. Pat Buttram plays the ranch tenderfoot, not too bright but willing to learn. The Dwight Cummins-Dorothy Yost screenplay tells of Autry allowing the roan-to es cape. It then reveals Gene in a ° hideaway trying to gentle the animal so that he can present him to Dick who was badly crippled when he was thrown. Holt declares Autry and the horse both outlaws and posts a reward for their capture. After a full quota of actionpacked sequences with several suspenseful moments as the two “outlaws” elude trigger-happy posses, Autry convinces Holt of the latter’s mistake, and there is a new understanding between the two men. The five songs which Autry warbles in the film are “The Strawberry Roan,” “When the White Roses Bloom in Red River Valley,” “The Angel Song,” “Can’t Shake the Sands of Texas from My Shoes” and “Texas Sandman.” John English directed the Gene Autry production. Armand Schaefer was the producer. (Holdover Notice) ‘Strawberry Roan’ Stays Another Week Because of the enthusiastic reception given by movie-goers to Columbia’s “The Strawberry Roan,” starring Gene Autry and now playing at the ...... Theatre, the management has extended the film’s engagement until Autry’s famous horse, Champion, is also starred, in the title role of this thrilling Cinecolor outdoor drama of a wild stallion who becomes a legend of the West. Featured parts are taken by Gloria Henry, Jack Holt, Dick Jones and Pat Buttram. Strawberry Roan Mat 1-E Gene Autry and Gloria Henry are to be seen at the ............ Theatre in Columbia's "The Strawberry Roan," exciting new film in Cinecolor. Page 9