JohnHowardReid Home in Oklahoma (available on a good Mill Creek DVD), is one of those murder mysteries you have when you're not having a murder mystery. It takes the average audience thirty seconds to tumble to the killers, but dumb, slow-brained, small-town newspaper editor Roy Rogers has to be prodded by breezily pugnacious Dale Evans. As you might expect from those opening sentences, there are not many spills or thrills in this one, even though it's directed by action specialist William Witney. Unfortunately, in stark contrast to the excellent work DVD companies have done for Gene Autry and Bill Boyd, Roy Rogers has been treated rather shabbily. Many of the titles on sale offer blurry, faded, out-of-focus pictures with garbled and/or muffled sound tracks. Even worse, the few Trucolor entries are presented in various shades of gray.

dougdoepke Sprightly Roy & Dale Western from Republic. It's a fine energetic cast livening up a familiar plot of keeping the ranch out of the clutches of the bad guys. Roy and Dale are reporters trying to out-scoop one another, and it's not hard to see why they stayed together as a team —their easy-going banter puts A-picture pizazz into a B-movie oater. Ditto, the great Gabby Hayes whose gruff comedy relief too often masked genuine acting talent. For example, scope out his versatility here. It's also well produced from Republic, with a lot of extras and even some location shots in the real Oklahoma (IMDB). That outdoor breakfast scene with all the local folks is charming. Of course there's the expected quota of action—a really rough fist-fight, some hard riding, and a pitched battle, all nicely paced by ace action director William Witney. Add vocals from the Sons of the Pioneers (I wish they had more) and you've got recipe for a really likable matinée Western. I guess my only negatives are the lack of good scenery and some rather poorly done process shots. Anyway, these are minor points. I'm just sorry these easy-going entertainments have ridden off into the proverbial sunset.

FightingWesterner Local newspaper man Roy Rogers probes the death of one of his friends, a rancher and high-end cattle breeder thrown from his horse and ends up protecting the rancher's heir, an orphan boy, from the ruthless killers. Meanwhile, big city reporter Dale Evans plans to scoop Roy on the story.This is a decent enough cowboy murder mystery, with good performances by George "Gabby" Hayes, Ruby Dandridge (mother of Dorothy Dandrige), and Lanny Rees as the boy. Their scenes together are heart-warming.Roy and Dale have great chemistry here - no surprise, since they got married on location, immediately after shooting wrapped.The film's musical highlight is Bob Nolan and The Sons Of The Pioneers singing "The Everlasting Hills Of Oklahoma".The killer's identities are as plain as the nose on your face, but it's still pretty good.

wes-connors Roy Rogers (as Roy Rogers) is a newspaper editor who is also handy with a gun. George "Gabby" Hayes (as Gabby) is a ranch hand and child guardian. Dale Evans (as Connie) is a reporter covering "the story" -- which is the seemingly accidental death of wealthy ranch owner Sam Talbot, and the contested distribution of his estate. The estate, valued at approximately $5,000,000, is willed to the 12-year-old ward of Mr. Hayes, Lanny Rees (as Duke Lowery).The story is reminiscent of several Rogers "save the ranch" stories, particularly "Sunset Serenade" (1942) **. This one is more fun -- look for the scene where Rogers teaches Ms. Evans to ride a horse, and how she "helps" him in a fistfight! Also, watch for Ruby Dandridge (mother of Dorothy Dandridge) as a superstitious maid ("Devoria") who may believe train whistles at night are ghosts; it's not a role filled with great racial integrity, but it's nice to see Ms. Dandridge at work.Though the plot seems intriguing, there is little mystery to the routine "Home in Oklahoma" plot, which is a shame, because some film elements are quite nice. The title song is a good one, and the "Mignilite" duet is cute. Bob Nolan and the "Sons of the Pioneers" lend their helping hands. The movie offers the standard Rogers western fare: Fistfight, Shootout, and Chase. BUT, what an ending! -- you get a BONUS Fistfight, Shootout, and Chase… all at the Same Time!… AND… On Top of a Train! Have fun! ***** Home in Oklahoma (1946) William Witney ~ Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Dale Evans