Copyright 8 February 1937 by Republic Pictures Corp. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 28 February 1937 and 22 April 1937. U.K. release through British Lion. No Australian theatrical release. 7 reels. 63 minutes. (Also listed at 58 minutes).
SYNOPSIS: Texas? See review below.
NOTES: Autry's 16th of his 94 movies.
COMMENT: Round-Up Time in Texas refers to the song sung by Autry and his saddle-pals immediately the film opens. After this initial burst of melody, the scene abruptly shifts to Dunbar (sic), South Africa where it remains for the rest of the film. Despite the novelty of the setting (which is used to introduce a few ancient wild animal clips including one in which an obviously process screen lion makes for the camera) and the fact that Gene has a brother, Tex Autry, (actually he doesn't figure overmuch in the story) this is a rather tame and dreary affair. You can trust Gene to sing a song at the drop of a hat and you can rely on Smiley to perpetrate a lot of foolery - in this case, escaping from the clutches of a music-loving native chief. There's also a what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this heroine (this thought is never expressed but it is obvious nonetheless) played in an extremely colorless fashion by Maxine Doyle. The villain, alas, is also none too interestingly played (LeRoy Mason) and though Earl Hodgins contributes a characteristically breezy study (complete with phoney Cockney accent), acting generally is unengaging. Autry's eyes have been circled with black rings, probably to give him a more rugged appearance, which is unsuccessful in view of the fact there is virtually no action in the film at all - for a time it looks as though Autry's double isn't even going to do his customary stunt of riding after a runaway wagon - but would you believe this familiar little act forms the larger part of the action climax! Kane's direction seems quite ordinary and uninterestingly pedestrian, the photography is flat. Other credits are likewise undistinguished and production values rate no more than average by "B" western standards.
SYNOPSIS: Texas? See review below.
NOTES: Autry's 16th of his 94 movies.
COMMENT: Round-Up Time in Texas refers to the song sung by Autry and his saddle-pals immediately the film opens. After this initial burst of melody, the scene abruptly shifts to Dunbar (sic), South Africa where it remains for the rest of the film. Despite the novelty of the setting (which is used to introduce a few ancient wild animal clips including one in which an obviously process screen lion makes for the camera) and the fact that Gene has a brother, Tex Autry, (actually he doesn't figure overmuch in the story) this is a rather tame and dreary affair. You can trust Gene to sing a song at the drop of a hat and you can rely on Smiley to perpetrate a lot of foolery - in this case, escaping from the clutches of a music-loving native chief. There's also a what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this heroine (this thought is never expressed but it is obvious nonetheless) played in an extremely colorless fashion by Maxine Doyle. The villain, alas, is also none too interestingly played (LeRoy Mason) and though Earl Hodgins contributes a characteristically breezy study (complete with phoney Cockney accent), acting generally is unengaging. Autry's eyes have been circled with black rings, probably to give him a more rugged appearance, which is unsuccessful in view of the fact there is virtually no action in the film at all - for a time it looks as though Autry's double isn't even going to do his customary stunt of riding after a runaway wagon - but would you believe this familiar little act forms the larger part of the action climax! Kane's direction seems quite ordinary and uninterestingly pedestrian, the photography is flat. Other credits are likewise undistinguished and production values rate no more than average by "B" western standards.