Best not to pay close attention while watching this one, the longer it goes the less sense it makes. Consider Autry's character for starters - today he would be on the politically incorrect side of things by insisting that the Comanches are getting ready to attack a supply train heading for Fort Adobe. For his part in an altercation with an advance party, Autry is cited for general court martial for disobeying orders, jeopardizing a peace treaty and indirectly causing the death of a trooper. Colonel Summeral (Robert Homans) states that upon his court martial, he'll also be reduced in rank - how does that work? But after a bar brawl in which Gene participates, he's asked to resign the Cavalry!?!? But later, when the Indians actually do attack, the Colonel reminds Autry that even though he was right, he's still scheduled to be shot!?!? Did anyone proofread this script?
Apparently I'm not alone, because a handful of other reviewers on this board have similar issues with the picture. There's not a whole lot to recommend here for Western fans in general, or Gene Autry fans in particular. Perhaps you can give the story some credit for supplying Gene with two nominal sidekicks, Smiley as usual doing an early Frog Millhouse, and Max Terhune as Indian scout Rufe Jones. I'd have to say that the comedic nod goes to Max, even without Elmer around. The fact that Smiley had to outrun Chief Thundercloud trying to take his scalp was more surreal than funny to my mind, though I'm sure young matinée fans back in the day got a kick out of it well enough.
Another oddity compared to most of Gene's flicks has to do with the musical offerings. Some of his pictures manage up to ten songs in an hour long format, but here there's only two, but they're performed multiple times! Like 'On the Sunset Trail' that gets delivered twice, and the title song that pops up three times in the course of the story. I don't know, I guess even Gene is entitled to a clunker every now and then considering his historic career in film and as a businessman afterward. But "Ride Ranger Ride" is not one of his better ones, and if I had to bet, even Champion knew it because he kept his name out of the credits list.
Apparently I'm not alone, because a handful of other reviewers on this board have similar issues with the picture. There's not a whole lot to recommend here for Western fans in general, or Gene Autry fans in particular. Perhaps you can give the story some credit for supplying Gene with two nominal sidekicks, Smiley as usual doing an early Frog Millhouse, and Max Terhune as Indian scout Rufe Jones. I'd have to say that the comedic nod goes to Max, even without Elmer around. The fact that Smiley had to outrun Chief Thundercloud trying to take his scalp was more surreal than funny to my mind, though I'm sure young matinée fans back in the day got a kick out of it well enough.
Another oddity compared to most of Gene's flicks has to do with the musical offerings. Some of his pictures manage up to ten songs in an hour long format, but here there's only two, but they're performed multiple times! Like 'On the Sunset Trail' that gets delivered twice, and the title song that pops up three times in the course of the story. I don't know, I guess even Gene is entitled to a clunker every now and then considering his historic career in film and as a businessman afterward. But "Ride Ranger Ride" is not one of his better ones, and if I had to bet, even Champion knew it because he kept his name out of the credits list.