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Reviews
Melody Ranch (1940)
Better than usual Gene Autry western with surprising co-stars.
A rather interesting Republic western with Gene Autry. This one is long 83 minutes for one, and although it has a plot done numerous times before is interesting due to the comic relief of Jimmy Durante and Vera Vague, who normally wouldn't be seen in B westerns. In addition a 17 year old Ann Miller plays his love interest and does one of her customary tap numbers. Why it almost seems like a small MGM musical.
Out California Way (1946)
Garish looking Republic Western.
Routine trivial western from Republic, glossed up with their 2 color Trucolor, which makes all the actors look like they're wearing tons of rouge. One does get to see a few of the other western actors in the Republic stable as guest stars including Allan "Rocky" Lane, Don "Red" Barry, and off course Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Monte Hale, the star of this epic though doesn't convey any charisma whatsoever, explaining his rather short career(about 20 films at Republic). They say his black and whites are better, but having seen only 1 other "Home on the Range", it too in color, one wonders why indeed Monte was ever signed.