JohnHowardReid Director: JOSEPH KANE. Original screenplay: James R. Webb. Photography: Harry Neumann. Film editor: William Thompson. RCA Sound System. Associate producer: Joseph Kane. Executive producer: Herbert J. Yates.Songs: "Headin' for the Home Corral" (Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers); "We Are the Vaqueros" (Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers); "Down the Trail" (Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers); "There's an Open Range Ahead" (Sons of the Pioneers); "Yodel Your Troubles Away" (Beers & Clark). Music director: Cy Feuer.Copyright 17 February 1942 by Republic Pictures Corp. No New York opening. U.S. release: 17 February 1942. Australian release through British Empire Films: 31 December 1942. 6 reels. 5,160 feet. 57 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Rogers' scheme to inveigle Eastern money-men to invest in girl friend's gold mine backfires when racketeer kidnaps the financiers and holds them for ransom.COMMENT: The execrable print under review does less than justice to Harry Neumann's extraordinary atmospheric photography with its remarkable silhouettes-on-location effects. A modern-day western (never mind that the cowboys are all toting guns!), South of Santa Fe's unusual plot is also graced by the attractively svelte presence of heroine Linda Hayes. The rest of the players are competent enough, though Mr Hayes' crotchety mannerisms tend to irritate more than they entertain. However, the plot is spiced with plenty of action, leading up to a rousingly exciting climax with crowds of hard-riding extras, running inserts and thrilling stunts. Kane's direction piles on the pace, allows Neumann visual fireworks, and takes full advantage of locations and a comparatively generous budget. The songs are pleasant enough too. All in all, an enjoyable, vigorous slice of escapist anachronism.

MartinHafer This is a pretty silly movie if you think about it. However, it's also easy to forget about the plot and just enjoy the movie, as it's a pretty good little B-movie."South of Santa Fe" begins with a young lady fretting that she needs investors for her mine--but no one seems interested. So, Roy comes up with a scheme to use his 'Vaqueros' (actually the Sons of the Pioneers) to deliver singing invitations to some rich potential investors--inviting them out to the dude ranch for a vacation. The plan is to butter them up and show them a great time and then spring the mining proposition on them. What they don't know is that a mobster (Paul Fix) has infiltrated this group and has plans of his own.The biggest negatives about this film is the plot (which is just odd) and Fix's character--he's simply too obviously evil to work. While a very good supporting actor, here he isn't given much to work with--and EVERYONE knows he's bad--so why doesn't Roy recognize this?! But, although the plot is bizarre, it all is fun and enjoyable in a 'turn off your brain' sort of way.

bkoganbing South Of Santa Fe has Roy Rogers with the rest of the Sons Of The Pioneers in New Mexico trying to get a group of wealthy investors to look at a mine owned by Linda Hayes. But gangster Paul Fix who is on the lam sees a real big opportunity to make a lot of quick bucks by kidnapping these rich guys.Fix is one of the shrewdest and most dangerous of villains ever in a Roy Rogers western. He's put a neat little frame around Roy and the Sons and it will take every bit of cleverness to foil his dastardly scheme.A fair share of music is in South Of Santa Fe though nothing really stands out. The best was a square dance where Bobby Beers and Judy Clark decide to liven things up with a jitterbug. One of Roy's better films and I think I saw a much edited version because I had to fill some blanks in with the story. Still lots of action, lots of singing, and a very cunning villain for Roy to best.

Steve Haynie What would it take to get prominent businessmen to come to an old mine? The adventure of a trail ride with the Vaqueros, that's what! Gabby Whitaker is the mayor of... Whitakerville! The town is dying off, but if Carol Stevens (Linda Hayes) can get someone to look at her isolated gold mine she knows it will bring prosperity back to the town. This is a tough proposition, but Roy Rogers and The Sons of the Pioneers just go (instruments and all) into the offices of a few businessmen to make them want to join the annual ride of the Vaqueros. A little western harmony can work like magic. It's just like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney putting on a show to save the day, and it could only work in the movies! So, once the industry leaders show up in their dude outfits they soon learn the mine has a value. Those men also have a value to a crook named Harmon (Paul Fix). He kidnaps them and frames Roy and the Pioneers for the crime. It's no big deal because Roy Rogers always wins.What makes this Roy Rogers adventure stand out is the Sons of the Pioneers. The classic lineup is there: Hugh and Karl Farr, Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, Pat Brady, and Lloyd Perryman. They play several songs throughout the movie by themselves and also backing Roy. The group had been well established before South of Sante Fe was made, and by this time their personalities were known. Tim and Lloyd had less screen time, but everyone was well represented. More singing is provided by Judy Clark and Bobby Beers. Music works its way into several scenes perfectly.