Copyright 4 March 1948 by Gene Autry Productions. U.S. release through Columbia: 1 August 1948.
Although Columbia re-titled the movie AS "Fools Awake" in the U.K., it received no circuit release. In less than ten years, Gene's popularity in England and Ireland had gone from one of the top five to the bottom hundred. 79 minutes. (Available on an Image DVD).
COMMENT: Although beautifully photographed against gorgeous scenery, "The Strawberry Roan" was destined to lose money from the start. The story is not only weak to start off with, but ends on a most unconvincing note when the bad guy (menacingly played by Jack Holt) suddenly reforms. True, this change of heart is moderately believable (I stress moderately) but he is not brought to book! In fact there's not even so much as a hint that he's going to be arrested. Instead, to the chimes of happy music, this evil, hot-tempered, self-willed monster is going to get off Scot free! I guess that's obviously part of Gene Autry's celebrated Cowboy Code: If a man has money, he can get away with attempted murder. No problems at all!
Although Columbia re-titled the movie AS "Fools Awake" in the U.K., it received no circuit release. In less than ten years, Gene's popularity in England and Ireland had gone from one of the top five to the bottom hundred. 79 minutes. (Available on an Image DVD).
COMMENT: Although beautifully photographed against gorgeous scenery, "The Strawberry Roan" was destined to lose money from the start. The story is not only weak to start off with, but ends on a most unconvincing note when the bad guy (menacingly played by Jack Holt) suddenly reforms. True, this change of heart is moderately believable (I stress moderately) but he is not brought to book! In fact there's not even so much as a hint that he's going to be arrested. Instead, to the chimes of happy music, this evil, hot-tempered, self-willed monster is going to get off Scot free! I guess that's obviously part of Gene Autry's celebrated Cowboy Code: If a man has money, he can get away with attempted murder. No problems at all!