To me, this movie is perfection.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Of Gene Autry's 1936 releases, "Guns and Guitars" was certainly one of the best on offer. But better still was an entry made earlier in 1936, "Red River Valley" (known on TV as "Man of the Frontier"). In this one, Smiley Burnette not only actively assists Gene at the climax, but even gets himself wounded! True, some of the earlier action punch-ups fail because of weak direction, but the widely acclaimed action specialist, Breezy Eason, improves no end as the movie progresses. Two stuntmen and their horses take a spectacular dive from a cliff into the river and much of the actual location shooting is cleverly set up at a real dam. How about that breathtaking scene of Gene Autry and his prisoner wading across the spillway as the floodgates are actually opened? And what about the tremendous riot scenes commencing with that spectacular image of the train, loaded with a gang of opposing workers, careering through the center of the rioters and smashing a wagon directly in line of the camera? In fact, it really doesn't matter too much what has gone before, because the last two reels of "Red River Valley" are virtually nothing but solid action all the way, what with Gene fighting George Chesebro and Charles King, then the chase and the dive off the cliff, followed by the stalking in a deserted fort (another superbly utilized location). Breezy Eason was rarely at home with dialogue, but his handling of such scenes here seems less stiff than usual. As Red River Valley is one of the few "B" pictures he directed in toto that benefits from his remarkable second unit abilities, it must rank as one of his best films. The photography also evidences more creative craftsman-ship than usual. Lewis' film editing comes across as admirably sharp, lending the picture plenty of pace. However, while Autry and Burnette display plenty of vitality, the heroine, Frances Grant, although pretty enough, is not only drably dressed but comes over like a damp doll. It's George Chesebro who steals the acting honors from the stars with his delightful performance as one of the villains. Charles King has a much smaller role as his unwitting accomplice. ( Available on both Alpha and Mill Creek DVDs).

When dynamite-wielding mystery men repeatedly sabotage the construction of a new reservoir and kill the "ditch rider" responsible for the site's security, cowboy Gene Autry is hired to replace him and bring the saboteurs to justice.A typically entertaining Republic Pictures production, this has some good action and stunt work, with the always likable Smiley Burnette backing up Gene and offering some comic relief to the proceedings.One interesting sequence (that should have been longer) involves Autry tracking the villains to an abandoned territorial prison in the middle of the desert.Keen viewers will recognize future Producers' Releasing Corporation contract villain Charles King, who figures prominently in the film's climactic riot!Musical interludes are few this time around, though Gene does get to sing his big hit version of the title song.

The plot of "Red River Valley" is pretty odd for a western--and the film really doesn't seem like a western--just a movie that is set in the Western US. The film begins by talking about how important irrigation is to the land--and then you see the dam blown up and the project ruined. Frog and Gene (Smiley Burnett and Gene Autry) are hired on by the dam project to help them stop the sabotage. However, soon the thugs begin riling up the locals against the dam and getting the men to strike and stirring up other sorts of troubles. And, soon things get pretty violent. Can our two heroes find out who's behind all this and get this dam built? This film is pretty typical of an Autry film despite the unusual plot. It has the requisite pretty girl, the baddies, the loyal sidekick and the songs. Not surprisingly, you'll hear "Red River Valley" but fortunately there isn't too much singing to distract from the plot. Not bad--not great--but enjoyable.

Champion runs, Gene sings. A mixture of modern day cowboys (with Damsand stuff) and old time cowboys. Plus some pretty decent non -Health & Safety action. Gene is a ditch rider and Champion knows he is really the Star ! Sabotage and dirty works at the irrigation plant, involving dynamite and songs along the way.There is such an aura of dust bowl and emigration around this film. Jug blowing novelty acts, Woody Guthrie chord breaks in songs. When is a strike not a strike - when there's baddies and guns.The usual shoot-em up finale and a few bars of Red River Valley.The film was marketed under the title Man of the Frontier, around the world, and that may be because of the clash with the other, more violent and more mediocre, film of the same name.Champion runs, Gene Sings, nearly perfect in this movie.