Overlooked Films: Roy Rogers as YOUNG BUFFALO BILL (1940)

Young Buffalo Bill is one the relatively few Roy Rogers oaters that takes place in the Old West rather than the New. In my book, that automatically gives it a leg up. But that's not all it has going for it.

The premise is not unique, but it’s at least unusual. It’s the 1860s, and the U.S. Government wants accurate surveys of the old Spanish land grants in the New Mexico Territory. The surveyor, an Eastern dude, is the son of the calvarly colonel for the area. Expecting trouble from the Spanish landowners - and the Indians - the colonel summons his old pal Gabby Hayes for help, and Gabby brings along his new pal, young Buffalo Bill Cody. Along with his buffalo hunting, Bill is already known for his pony express riding, and scouting for the army.

Gabby and Roy/Bill admire the local scenery.

You can tell Roy is playing Bill Cody instead of himself because he wears a fringed buckskin jacket and fringed buckskin pants. (Ever wonder what that would have been like when it rained?)  Gabby, playing Gabby, wears his trademark goofy hat and spouts his trademark phrase, “Yer durn tootin’.”

Chief T is led astray by his evil half-brother.

The Spanish landowner (who naturally has a beautiful daughter for Roy/Bill to sing to) is perturbed by the survey, but the real problem is that somewhere on his land is a lost gold mine - known only to the Comanches. The Comanche leader, played by ex-Tonto Chief Thundercloud, ain’t really a bad guy, but he’s dragged into trouble by his half-brother, a half-Mexican scoundrel who works for the testy Spanish landowner. Naturally, the half-breed wants to steal the gold mine, and tries to rig the survey accordingly. Roy/Bill objects, and derring-do ensues. Along the way, Roy sings a couple of songs to the beautiful daughter, but Gabby makes them palatable with sour looks.

Roy kicks a little Comanche butt.

P.S. Roy, as you may recall, also made a film (released that same year) called Young Bill Hickock. Would have been interesting if, years later, he'd made one about Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. He could have reprised both roles.

Look over the rest of this week’s Overlooked Films at Sweet Freedom.