Main Cast: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Estelita Rodriguez, Penny Edwards, Pinky Lee
Release Year: 1951
Country: US
Run Time: 67 minutes
Plot
Yet another Roy Rogers Western whose title refers to a song, In Old Amarillo actually takes place in and around Amarillo of 1951. Fired by cattleman George Hills (Minor Watson), foreman Clint Burnside (Roy Barcroft) plans to avenge himself by ruining Hills' wastrel son, Philip (Ken Howell). Along with local saloon owner Mike Carver (William Holmes), Burnside is also attempting to buy up all the area's ranches during a prolonged drought. When Roy Rogers, Hills' new foreman, suggests that the ranchers come together and use modern rainmaking equipment, including airplanes armed with dry ice, Burnside and Carver lure Philip into committing a bit of sabotage. At first Roy accuses the young man of shooting down the rainmaking aircraft but then discovers that he was forced to pilot the attacking plane by Burnside, the real killer, who is himself killed in a climactic fistfight. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Review
Directed by veteran serial ace William Witney, In Old Amarillo does at times resemble a chapterplay episode, what with quite impressive stunts by Republic regulars Tom Steele and Dale Van Sickel, and miniature work by the legendary Lydecker brothers, Howard and Theodore. There is less music than in most Roy Rogers vehicles but Rogers does find time to warble the title tune and a few other selections accompanied by the Roy Rogers Riders, featuring Pat Brady. Republic's other Roy, Barcroft, is in fine fettle as the villain and Ken Howell, erstwhile of the Jones Family situation comedies of the late '30s, is surprisingly potent as the wastrel youth. Gail Davis, television's Annie Oakley, is pretty and capable as the nominal heroine but her part is nearly eliminated in the truncated television re-release. Estelita Rodrigues, in contrast, does her patented Lupe Velez impersonation in both versions and comic sidekick Pinky Lee, a kids' television personality who did not belong in Westerns, seems omnipresent as In Old Amarillo's chief liability. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Frank Hotaling - Art Director, Edward J. White - Associate Producer, William Witney - Director, Tony Martinelli - Editor, R. Dale Butts - Composer (Music Score), R. Dale Butts - Musical Direction/Supervision, Jack Elliott - Songwriter, Foy Willing - Songwriter, Jack A. Marta - Cinematographer, Howard Lydecker - Special Effects, Theodore Lydecker - Special Effects, Sloan Nibley - Screenwriter
