1943's "Silver Spurs" was an above average Roy Rogers vehicle, then at the peak of his fame, boasting a higher budget, more ambitious script, and better supporting cast than the usual Republic players. Making his debut for Herbert J. Yates was scene stealing character star John Carradine, clearly in his element as Lucky Miller, villainous proprietor of the Frontier Lodge, who schemes to obtain an oil well by orchestrating a wedding for his drunkard accomplice Jerry Johnson (Jerome Cowan) to a mail order bride (Phyllis Brooks), since Miller can only purchase the ranch property from a widow. Rogers is the ranch foreman, cleverly framed by Miller for the murder of Johnson right after the two had a falling out. Approximately 14-15 minutes are missing from its original 68 minute running time, mostly deleted songs, yet the actual wedding ceremony featuring Byron Foulger's Justice of the Peace is nowhere to be seen either. Roy's horse Trigger has a couple of impressive stunts, while sidekick Smiley Burnette once again trots out Frog Millhouse, a character he played nearly 50 times over 10 years. The dapper Carradine occasionally looks out of place, never seen wearing anything but a suit and tie (even atop a horse!), but his presence spices up the proceedings, making this one of the star's best remembered films.
Review of Silver Spurs
