Originally lensed in Trucolor, this otherwise complete Roy Rogers vehicle is available on a somewhat washed-out, black-and-white Mill Creek DVD, which is otherwise reasonably watchable. The story's not much and it's acted in a somewhat ham-fisted style by Andy Devine, who has too large a part for my liking, but the rest of the players are reasonably able. Some fans may feel there is far too much singing and dancing and not enough action – which is a justifiable complaint, especially as the non-action episodes – particularly all the dancing and singing – would look so much more attractive in color. The screenplay also seems to go out on a limb to provide special material not only for Andy Devine but for Tito Guizar and Estelita Rodriguez. It's true to say, however, that by director William Witney's usual high standard, the action does tend to be rather tame and far less exciting than say his later Rogers' vehicle, "Bells of Coronado" (1950), which was also written by Sloan Nibley and has some of these same plot elements.
Review of The Gay Ranchero
