Mule Train

In my book, it's superior Autry—fine Lone Pine photography, an unusual plot with a major twist, and a rare dramatic role for the usually buffoonish Pat Buttram. Plus, there's the big hit song of that year, Mule Train, which may not be tuneful but is a lot of fun for a song.

Meanwhile, Gene has to hide his marshal's badge in order to help entrepreneur Buttram make a success in selling cement, of all things. Seems, however, some guys in suits want to keep the business for themselves, so the good guys have a problem. Then again, maybe the sheriff will help, except she's a girl (Ryan) even if she is a deadly shot.

Those wagon trains add hard-riding color, plus the exploding canyon is mostly well done. Still, I wonder about the same mountaintop that blows up 4-times over! (I think). And certainly Sheila Ryan makes for the kind of sheriff you'd like to get arrested by. Here, she may be fixing dinner for Autry, but it's really Buttram she ends up with after their meeting on the set (IMDB)—married in 1952.

All in all, there's enough good cowboy action and moody mountain scenery to keep this old Front Row kid happy.

US Marshal Gene Autry arrives in a small town to find that Sheila Ryan, ex-carnival trick-rider and rifle shot, is the sheriff, and looking to do a good job too, as she threatens Autry for arrest with fighting in the street. Autry is mostly there to see to the interests of Pat Buttram, who has inherited a deposit of natural cement. He proposes to use it in the town's construction of a dam. This suits everyone except Robert Livingston and associates, who have a contract for hauling in stone for the dam.

Autry sings the title song, recently a hit for Frankie Laine, three times, and the story has some interesting twists and turns as Buttram tries to play matchmaker between Autry and Miss Ryan. Autry's vehicles for Columbia remain a cut above the other contemporary B westerns, providing some interesting performances for Autry's regular company of performers, with Buttram given a more serious role than usual.

Mule Train which must have been rushed into production and distribution to take advantage of Frankie Laine's mega-hit has Gene Autry singing the song and working undercover as a US Marshal. Only sidekick Pat Buttram knows Gene is a marshal.

This film marks a first as the famous Hitchcockian McGuffin is natural cement of which Pat Buttram and his cantankerous old partner John Miljan have on their otherwise pretty worthless property. As water is pretty scarce this stuff is going to come in mighty handy to build a new and solid dam.

I have to say that Miljan was a surprise to me. He usually plays polished and sophisticated villains, seeing him in this part that Gabby Hayes would be perfect casting was a revelation.

Freight Line owner Robert Livingston has a vested interest in trying to get the property. But female sheriff Sheila Ryan seems to be playing an interesting role here. She's a trick shot carnival act who got left behind by her show and is now sheriff. Could things be brewing for Gene and her.

Mule Train with a little better writing could have been a first class western with some major stars. As it is, it's pretty good, far superior to the usual Saturday matinée stuff. Gene was no longer with Republic, I'm guessing Harry Cohn at Columbia was giving him some better and more adult material to work with.

Besides the title song Gene also sings country hit Room Full Of Roses which had a lot of cross over appeal. Dick Haymes and later Dean Martin did successful records of it. Gene warbles it real pretty.

One of Autry's better westerns from Columbia.

John Miljan has a gold mine of cement but Autry's real life friend, Robert Livingston stands to lose a fortune if they use it to build the dam. Autry is also aiming for gorgeous sheriff Sheila Ryan in more ways than one. Can't tell you if he was successful but lucky Pat Buttram eventually did get the girl a few years later as his wife. Comic relief specialist, Vince Barnett has some great scenes as the barber who never actually finishes the job. But Syd Saylor, is somewhat out of his element as the serious deputy but he handles the role well. Also, great to see versatile actor and Autry's stunt double Sandy Sanders. Great to hear Gene sing the hit title song and Pat even provides a good one of his own.

Songs blend pretty well. Buttram bumbles amusingly. Marshall Gene helps old friend Smokey establish worthiness of natural-cement-deposit on inheirited land. This doesn't sit well with Sam Brady, who's freight company transports crushed stone to earthen dam being built by local cattlemen. Also in mix is lady Sheriff Carol, who's in cahoots with Brady; and banker Clayton Hodges, who's loan to Brady is too big. An average effort of it's kind.