“HEART OF THE GOLDEN WEST”

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 193, 13 May 1944, Page 5

“HEART OF THE GOLDEN WEST”

Film cycles may come aud go but the popularity of -the Western remains high. Even though Tom Mix may die. Buck Jones be burnt to death in a Boston 'night club fire Gene Autry go off to war. there arq always Roy Rogers, Tim Holt, and a host of others to leap into the empty saddles and gallop easily across the screen. (Incidentally, Gene Autry, who is with the U.S.A.A.C. in Texas. lias already been signed up on a long post-wnr contract-) L The Western, too, does not date, so that you can seldom tell whether you are seeing a brand-new film or one that was made aud released under a different name iii pre-Pearl Harbour days. The latest one at the De Luxe, “Heart of the Golden AVest,” follows the familiar formula, but it is good rousing entertainment that certainly cannot be accused of aidiug or abettim- juvenile delinquency. The villain Is well and trulv ronfed ns all villains should be: the hero plays the game fair and square and wins the girl in the end. What is more, he sits a horse to perfection, he shoots like a he-man, and he lias a voice which softly caresses several soothing songs. Roy Rogers is the man. and ho is helped along by such stalwarts as Smiley Burnette (recently promoted to stardom). Windy Hayes. Ruth Terry, and the inevitable Sons of the Pioneers. Alnvbe I’m wrong, but I think young Bobb'v Blake, the small star of the second film, “Mokey,” is tlie’little boy who handled his part so well in Aiargaret O’Brien’s film, “Journey for Afargaret.” The show is meant fo tug at yqnr heart-strings. It does just that..