Roy Rogers, often referred to as the “King of the Cowboys,” wasone of the most popular Western starsof the 1940s and ’50s. He was probably the most famous of the singing cowboys, earning legions of fans thanks to his blend of musical numbers,Western action, and impressive horsemanship.He and his trusty steed Trigger made for a dynamic duo, lending their talents to dozens of movies over the years.
Rogers had a straightforward and wholesome image, which was well-suited to what audiences wanted at the time. He tended to be the honorable hero standing up for nature and the oppressed. However, his later collaborations with directorWilliam Whitneygot a little grittier, a little more complex. Obviously,most of Rogers’s movies are pretty dated now, even the Whitney projects, but they remain a fun snapshot of a bygone cinematic era. Fans of the genre should find something to enjoy in them. With this in mind, here are the star’s ten best Westerns, ranked.
10’Sunset in El Dorado' (1945)
Directed by Frank McDonald
Sunset in El Doradoalternates between two timelines: in the present, the young Lucille (Dale Evans) dreams about her grandmother’s life, including her romance with a singing cowboy (Rogers). She has all kinds of adventures in the ghost town of El Dorado, involving baddies, passion, and gunfights aplenty.Rogers appears in both timelines, with the flashback sequences serving to shed light on the present-day tensions in El Dorado.
This all adds up to a modest but enjoyable movie.The pacing is uneven, and the dual narrative approach doesn’t always work, though the charismatic performers go a long way toward compensating, includingMargaret DumontandGabby Hayesin the supporting cast. Overall,Sunset in El Doradois definitely dated, buta certain kind of nostalgic Western fanis sure to get a kick out of it. It breezes by at just 65 minutes long, jam-packed with action, vocal harmonies, and horses performing impressive tricks.
Sunset in El Dorado
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9’Trail of Robin Hood' (1950)
Directed by William Witney
InTrail of Robin Hood, Roy Rogers takes on a unique challenge:saving Christmas. He teams up with Jack Holt, a retired actor turned tree farmer, to stop a greedy lumber baron from seizing control of the Christmas tree market. As the bad guys attempt to intimidate the farmers into selling their land,Rogers and his allies, including his trusty horse Trigger, step in to protect the community and preserve the holiday spirit.
This movie is quirky and pretty random; it has nothing to do withRobin Hood, for example. What it does offer is a festive backdrop, some solid chase scenes, enjoyable musical interludes, and an uplifting message. Rogers’s trusty horse Trigger is also on top form here, showing off his agility and smarts. Not for nothing,Trigger quickly became the most famous horse of the day, at least in the entertainment industry, even receiving his own comic book fictionalizing his adventures.
Trail of Robin Hood
8’The Ranger and the Lady' (1940)
Directed by Joseph Kane
In this one, Rogers plays a Texas Ranger tasked with protecting a wagon train carrying vital supplies through dangerous territory. Along the way, he encounters the spirited wagon train owner Letty Morgan (Julie Bishop). The two join forces to confront a corrupt land baron scheming to take control of the region. As they face bandits, ambushes, and treachery,Rogers must balance his duty as a Ranger with his growing affection for Letty.
It’s a sweet setup, but there are some flaws inThe Ranger and the Lady, mostly in the sluggish pacing and underwhelming action sequences. The plot had potential, but the execution is uninspired. There’s also not that much chemistry between Rogers and Bishop, especially compared to the dynamic between the cowboy and his usual co-star Dale Evans (whom he would later marry). Still,Rogers does a lot of heavy lifting here, with his effortless charm holding the viewer’s attention even when the story doesn’t.
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7’Don’t Fence Me In' (1945)
Directed by John English
Don’t Fence Me Inis a more modern Western, set in a then-contemporary 1945. It’s about rancher Roy Rogers and his pal Gabby Whittaker (Gabby Hayes), who turns out to be the legendary outlaw Wildcat Kelly, long presumed to be dead. Big-city reporter Toni Ames (Dale Evans) reveals the truth of Gabby’s identity, leading to a manhunt and causing all sorts of baddies to come crawling out of the woodwork.
Although made as a B-Western,Don’t Fence Me Inis unusually charming, cramming a lot of drama, action, and intrigue into its lean runtime. The story of Wildcat Kelly faking his own death to start over a new, law-abiding life is gripping. Acting-wise, Rogers is on his A-game. The music is also enjoyable, particularly Rogers’s rendition ofCole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In” with Evans and his musical group, the Sons of the Pioneers. For all these reasons, Don’t Fence Me In was a big hit on release and is stillan engaging slice of singing cowboy entertainment.
Don’t Fence Me In
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6’Man from Cheyenne' (1942)
InMan from Cheyenne, Rogers plays a government agent assigned to investigate cattle rustling in a small town. Disguised as a wandering cowboy, he uncovers a web of deceit involving a powerful rancher (Lynne Carver) and her corrupt allies. As tensions rise,Rogers must use his wits, courage, and six-shooter to bring the villains to justiceand restore order to the community. Naturally, it all culminates in a massive shootout.
Overall,this movie is a well-balanced mix of singing, fighting, and romance, with a welcome dash of mystery and plot twists. The plot is fairly generic, but it does spice things up a little for the time by casting a woman as the arch-villain. Carver is great in her role as rancher Marian Hardy, who is statuesque, deceptive, and inscrutable throughout. She’s a great foil to the earnest, straightforward Rogers. All told,Man from Cheyennemay not have broken much new ground, but it’s a solid example of why Rogers became suchan enduring Western star.
Man from Cheyenne
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5’My Pal Trigger' (1946)
My Pal Triggeris one of Rogers' most heartfelt stories,exploring the bond between a cowboy and his horse. The plot revolves around Roy’s desire to breed his mare with a prized stallion, Golden Sovereign, owned by rancher Gabby Kendrick (Hayes). When Sovereign is killed under mysterious circumstances, Roy is wrongly accused and must clear his name while raising the horse’s colt, Trigger.
The songs in this one aren’t that memorable, but Roger’s acting is good, the story is a little more interesting than usual, and the horsemanship is top-tier. Plus, the gentle humor, likable characters, and melodic interludes make it an easy watch. Most importantly,Rogers and Trigger have such a storied history, so it’s nice to see a movie delving into their relationship, even if it’s fictional. The star’s genuine affection for the horse is very much on display. This probably explains whyMy Pal Triggerwas reportedly one of Rogers’s favorites among his own movies.
My Pal Trigger
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4’The Golden Stallion' (1949)
InThe Golden Stallion, a bunch of smugglers have hidden diamonds in a horse’s shoe and are using it to get the jewels across the Mexican border. They scheme to get rid of Rogers, landing him in jail and putting Trigger to work in their smuggling operation.It’s up to the singing cowboy to set things right. He has to foil the bandits and prove his innocence, with Trigger his only ally.
This is one of the more complex Roy Rogers Westerns,mostly due to the influence of director William Whitney. He tried to make the star appear more realistic and gritty, upping the violence and making the action more explosive. It’s an approach that paid off, with the result thatThe Golden Stallionhas aged better than most of the star’s projects.Quentin Tarantinohas evensung the film’s praises, saying to The New York Times, “William Witney is the greatest director when it comes to working with animals.”
The Golden Stallion
3’Springtime in the Sierras' (1947)
Another Whitney/Rogers collaboration,Springtime in the Sierras,finds Rogers taking on a ruthless gang of poachers who are decimating the local wildlife. Though slight in plot,the movie benefits from Witney’s seasoned direction, which adds vigor to even the simplest of scenes. Once again, he also makes fantastic use of Trigger, with scenes that follow the horse as he goes off on his own and gets up to his own adventures before returning to Rogers.
The movie is also notable for its memorable climactic fight scene, where Rogers confronts the gang leader and the pair have a scuffle inside a freezer. Whitney shoots all these scenes with a ton of skill, especially in his elaborate camera moves. The cinematography is kinetic and full of energy, going above and beyond what’s required. The film’s themes around conservation and respecting nature are also welcome. The only real criticism is that a few of the musical numbers aren’t that great.
Springtime in the Sierras
2’Dark Command' (1940)
Directed by Raoul Walsh
Dark Commandmemorably brings together Roy Rogers andthe legendary John Wayne, two very different kinds of Western heroes. It’s set during the Civil War, with Rogers playing a local deputy who aids Wayne’s character in opposing a corrupt sheriff (Walter Pidgeon). The movie was directed by actor and filmmakerRaoul Walsh, probably most famous for the gangster classicWhite Heat.
The result is an entertainingly sinister story, populated by characters with shadowy motives and selfish ambitions. Republic Pictures tended to make low-budget B-movies, but they suppliedDark Commandwith an unusually large budget of $750, 000, which shows through in the heightened production values. The impressive sets and visuals, along with the strong acting, went down well with audiences.Dark Commandwas a box office success and even earned two Oscar nominations. While not all that typical of Rogers’s movies, it’s still a decent starting point for those curious about his filmography.
Dark Command
1’Son of Paleface' (1952)
Directed by Frank Tashlin
Claiming the top spot on this list isSon of Paleface, the sequel to 1948’sThe PalefacewithBob HopeandJane Russell. These stars return, joined by Rogers in a prominent supporting role. Hope plays Junior Potter, the bumbling son of a wealthy prospector, who arrives in the West to claim his inheritance. Rogers is a straight-shooting cowboy who becomes entangled in Potter’s misadventures, leading to a series of hilarious and action-packed encounters.
It’s a fun mix of slapstick, musical numbers, and Western action.There are sight gags aplenty and a ton of witty banter. The film revels in absurdity, from over-the-top stunts to witty, self-aware dialogue, making it more of a comic spectacle than a straightforward Western. In this regard,Son of Palefaceis a good showcase for Rogers' versatility. His easygoing cowboy charm adds some much-needed warmth, while Trigger too gets some standout moments, adding to the playfulness. All these elements makeSon of Palefacean early ’50s Western gem.
Son of Paleface
Son of Palefaceis not currently available for streaming in the US.
