Jimmy Wakely Trio Movies

Inasmuch as western star Charles Starrett gained screen fame as the Robin Hood-like "Durango Kid", it stands to reason that Starrett would head the cast of Robin Hood of the Range. The star plays Steve Marlowe, the foster son of railroad manager Henry Marlowe (Kenneth McDonald). When it becomes apparent that the railroad is using underhanded methods to drive local homesteaders off their land, Steve adopts the guise of "The Vulcan", a legendary champion of justice. Of interest is the fact that the hero hasn't any "love interest"; the leading lady is Steve's sister, played by Kay Harris. The film's 54 minutes are fleshed out by the musical interludes of the Jimmy Wakely Trio. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Like many of Johnny Mack Brown's western vehicles of the 1942-43 season, Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground draws its title from a popular song. Brown plays Wade Benson, head of a road-building project in the wild frontier. In their efforts to sabotage Benson's efforts, the villains lure his workers into the raucous saloon owned by dance-hall girl Kay Randolph (Jennifer Holt). But when the baddies resort to murder, Kay aligns herself with Benson, saving the day for both the road project and an ancillary government mail contract. Since Johnny Mack Brown could hardly qualify as a singer (as his later attempts at carrying a tune in his Monogram films would prove), the film's title song is warbled by Jimmy Wakely. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Spoiled little rich girl Edith Fellows does what she can to avoid spending time on Gene Autry's dude ranch in this tuneful Western restored by U.C.L.A. in 2001 for Gene Autry Entertainment. Despite the best efforts of her teacher Alice Bennett (Fay McKenzie), Connie Lane (Fellows) quickly manages to turn everyone against her, except Gene. The foreman/crooner teaches Connie the value of friendship and she reciprocates by sabotaging Hap Callahan's (William Haade) attempts to beat Gene in a bronco-busting contest. That, of course, is no way to win friendship and Hap avenges himself by causing a stampede that almost kills Connie. She is rescued in the nick of time by Gene, who also manages to pacify the stubborn girl's equally stubborn millionaire father (Pierre Watkin). Edith Fellows sings "Rainbow in the Night," while Gene, Smiley Burnette, Fay McKenzie, Jimmy Wakely, and his trio take care of "Deep in the Heart of Texas," "Rocky Canyon," "Dusk on the Painted Desert," "I'll Wait for You," and five other selections. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide

Hoping to increase its box-office allure by adopting the title of a popular song, Deep in the Heart of Texas (clap!clap!clap!clap!) was the first Johnny Mack Brown western of the 1942-43 season. The plot concerns a group of insurrectionists who intend to keep Texas separate from the rest of the USA. Brown is cast as Jim Mallory, son of insurrectionist leader Colonel Mallory (played by William Farnum, who was often called upon to play Brown's dad). At first sympathetic to the separatists out of loyalty to his father, Johnny ultimately realizes that the movement has been corrupted by a criminal element. With the help of governor's emissary Brent Gordon (Tex Ritter), Johnny is instrumental in restoring the Lone Star state to the Union. The title tune is sung con brio by the Jimmy Wakely trio. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide