The Arizona Kid (1939) User Reviews (8)

Missouri Loves Company

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 3 September 2007]

Roy Rogers (as Roy Rogers) finds his home town divided at the onset of the Civil War. Missouri is a Union State, but Mr. Rogers and the town-folk side with the Confederate States. Rogers and his sidekick George "Gabby" Hayes (as Gabby) decide to work for the Confederacy; their mission becomes defeating renegade Stuart Hamblen (as McBride). The wicked Mr. Hamblen complicates loyalties further by employing Rogers' boyhood friend Dave Kerwin (as Dave).

Obviously, hero Rogers is on the losing side of the Civil War; but the film has little to do with its Civil War setting; instead, it's a story about loyalty and the law. It you ignore the Confederate issues, it's one of the better early Rogers stories. The acting and production levels are relatively high - watch the story after the storm hits, with thunder and lightning used effectively by director Joseph Kane. Dorothy Sebastian (as Bess) is great with Rogers and Hamblen in the final confrontation/shootout scene. Roger's songs are above average, too - particularly when harmonizing with slaves on "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".

****** The Arizona Kid (9/29/39) Joseph Kane ~ Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Dorothy Sebastian

"Well I'll be a knock kneed bobcat."

[classicsoncall · 5/10 · 24 May 2006]

Set in 1861 Missouri at the outset of the Civil War, it's a toss up as to how the state will side during the great conflict. Officially a Union state, sympathies lie with the Southern cause, and when news of the attack on Fort Sumter breaks, cheers break out for the Confederacy at the garden party of Dr. Jason Bradford. Roy Rogers and Gabby Whittaker (Gabby Hayes) are sympathizers who become scouts for the Confederate Army, and their mission is to bring a guerrilla outlaw to justice. Val McBride wears a Confederate uniform, but his band of mercenaries would rather loot Federal supply trains and civilian ranchers, taking advantage of the conflict to enrich themselves.

It wasn't unusual for Charlie Chan films of the same era to make racial references, taking jabs at blacks as well as Orientals. This is the first time I've encountered it in a 'B' Western. There's a scene where Roy enters the Radford home and is greeted by the black maid Mammy Lou. When he comments that she's looking well, Mammy Lou replies - "Maybe I am, but I'm feelin' kind of pale."

For a good part of the film, Roy tries to convince his friend Dave (David Allen) to sever his allegiance with the outlaw McBride, but the easy money is too great a temptation. Dave and Roy share an affection for Dr. Bradford's daughter Laura (Sally March), though the romantic angle doesn't get resolved by the end of the film. In a rarity for these early oaters, the villain also has a female accomplice. Bess Warren (Dorothy Sebastian) is McBride's girlfriend, though the relationship is more casual than close.

I managed to pick up this film cheaply on DVD along with another Roy Rogers flick on the flip side, "Apache Rose". Both copies suffered from poor voice and lip synchronization, and this film was a bit blurry besides. Along with that, the story seemed to drag along with drawn out chases and repetitious dialog. Still, if you're a Roy and Gabby fan, there's enough here to tune in. So far it's the only film in which I've seen Roy sing a spiritual as part of his repertoire.

For Roy Rogers fans, another film with a Confederate backdrop to consider is "Robin Hood of the Pecos"; Gabby's along for that ride too. If you take in this film, have some fun and count up how many times Gabby says 'ya durn tootin'".

Review

[tomwal · 7/10 · 20 December 2009]

This B western has solid acting ,production values and direction. Joe Kane directs Roy Rogers, "Gabby " Hayes, Stuart Hamblin and David Allen with a sure hand. Unusual for a Rogers film, Kane keeps the singing to a minimum with the emphasis on action and dramatics.The plot concerns Roy and his boyhood friend Dave.Dave is reckless and pursues a career with renegade raider Hamblin.Roy sees trouble ahead and tries to set Dave straight,with no success. Then the Civil War erupts with Roy joining the Confederates and Dave and Hamblin forming their own band of raiders. Roy is ordered to stop Hamblins Raiders. In the final scenes where Roy has to order Dave and the other raiders executed for treason, Roy shows true emotion and a solid bit of acting. Also the final shootout with Hamblin is memorable. This movie is a notch above many other Rogers western. My vote : 7 out of 10.

Roy and Gabby scout to capture renegade Confederate leader in Missouri

[weezeralfalfa · 7/10 · 23 February 2019]

I saw the truncated 56 min. version rather than the original 61 min version of this Republic Civil War western....This is an early treatment of the historic Quantrill's Raiders, who looted, burned and killed civilians in Missouri and surrounding states during the Civil War, often pretending to be Confederate soldiers. Republic would return to this subject the very next year, in "Dark Command", which also included Roy and Gabby Hayes, but starring John Wayne and Walter Pigeon. This was an A film of 94 min., compared to the present B film of about an hour. Later films that dealt with the same subject include "Kansas Raiders" and "Quantrill's Raiders".......Stuart Hamblen, who costars as the Quantrill equivalent: Val McBride, was much more recognized for his musical talents than for his acting........Several times , Roy confers with Confederate General Stark, who probably derived his name from the historic Confederate General Starke........Two women are included. The leading lady is Sally Marsh, playing Laura: daughter of Dr. Marsh. Expectedly, she forms a romantic association with Roy, after an inauspicious initial meeting. She and Roy take turns singing the melodious "Lazy Old Moon", with Laura also playing the piano. This was Sally's only Hollywood credit. Other songs sung by Roy include "It's Home, Sweet Home, to me", and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", with a chorus of 'slaves'. A rousing rendition of "Dixie" was played during the beginning credits........The second woman was Dorothy Sebastian, as Bess Warren, who helped run an inn, and served as McBride's tenuous girlfriend, to which the desperate McBride ran to, at the end. Generously, Roy claimed he found McBride in the woods, rather than being harbored by her. .......Two goals permeate the screen play. One is the capture or death of McBride and his followers. Secondly, to try to convince Roy's boyhood friend, Dave, that running with McBride was dangerous for his long term health. It was clear from the beginning that this would be a hard sell, and, in fact, this goal wasn't achieved. Dave was among those captured by Roy, Gabby and a patrol. Along with the others, he was executed by a firing squad, semi-vigilante style, out in the bush. Roy was somewhat hesitant to include Dave among these victims because he had helped save Roy's life when he was badly wounded, laying on the ground. It's a wonder Dave wasn't killed by McBride for this transgression, when he returned. I will say that, for a badly wounded man, Roy's recovery was impossibly quick! ........ See it at You Tube.

Nice Rogers Film

[Michael_Elliott · 1 March 2012]

The Arizona Kid (1939)

*** (out of 4)

Good "B" Western takes place in Missouri, 1861 as Roy Rogers and George "Gabby" Hayes head home and encounter a renegade soldier named MacBride (Stuart Hamblen). Soon MacBride is recruiting men to join his renegade posse who are stealing from people and giving a bad name to the South. THE ARIZONA KID doesn't last an hour but it contains some pretty good action, a nice story, a good villain and of course Rogers and Hayes are always up to their standards. For such a low-budget film I was really surprised at how good the atmosphere was as you really do get the feel as if you're at the start of the Civil War as families are being torn apart and the stuff dealing with the renegade soldiers robbing was very well handled and made for some nice drama. Another good sub-plot deals with Roy getting caught up with an old flame (Sally March) and an old friend who ends up joining the bad guy's troops. These two stories aren't the best written in Western history but they're both above average and makes for some entertainment. As you'd expect, Rogers is in good form as he has no problems fitting into the role of the hero. The screenplay also allows him to sing three good numbers (It's Home Sweet Home, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Lazy Old Moon) that are well shot and performed. Hayes adds his typically nice humor and Hamblen makes for a good villain. There are a couple good shoot-outs and a few explosions as well to cover the action. All in all, if you're a fan of these "B" Westerns then you should be entertained by this one. If these type of things aren't your cup of tea then it's doubtful this one here will change your opinion.

Based, somewhat, on real folks.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 16 March 2020]

During the US Civil War, there were some infamous characters who led raiding parties who essentially robbed, burned and destroyed...all in the name of the South. However, many would say that they were thieves and cutthroats and they used the war as an excuse for these actions. The most famous of these was Quantrill and his raiders, though they were one of several groups who engaged in this sort of behavior. So, it's not surprising that "The Arizona Kid" uses this idea and it's up to Roy and Gabby to stop these jerks.

The film starts in Missouri just before the war. Roy comes into town and recognizes McBride, as he's an infamous wanted man. But when soldiers take off after him to arrest him, McBride and his gang bushwhack them....killing the men. Despite this, however, McBride runs about with impunity, as the local sheriff is afraid to do his job. Once the war begins, McBride joins the Confederate army and forms his own cavalry unit...all in the name of helping the South but this gang essentially preys on everyone. Can Roy stop him? And, what about Roy's old pal...he joined up with McBride?!

Here in 2020, some might blanch at seeing a few things in this film--in particular, Roy joins the Confederate Army. Back in 1939, most folks wouldn't have cared. But today, this combined with the happy slaves you see early in the film, it's sure to make some uncomfortable...some mad. My attitude is that I can look past this and realize it was a sign of the times in which it was made. How much you can or cannot do that will depend a lot on how much you like the film.

As for the movie, it's pretty typical for Roy--a B-movie of about 60 minutes and with George 'Gabby' Hayes there as his sidekick. And, like Roy Rogers' earlier films, there's no Dale Evans in it as his love interest. What is NOT typical is the fate of the gang...and the violent ends to these folks might surprise those familiar with Rogers' later, and more gentle, films. I actually appreciated this about "The Arizona Kid" and enjoyed the movie quite a bit.

The Confederacy Couldn't Afford Such Scruples

[bkoganbing · 4/10 · 24 March 2011]

As is the case in a lot of B westerns the title has nothing to do with the story. The only connection that Arizona has with The Arizona Kid is that Roy Rogers and Gabby Hayes are bringing a string of horses from Arizona as the story opens. Otherwise the action takes place in Civil War era Missouri.

Roy wants to join the Confederate cause, but friend Dave Allen wants to join the irregular guerrillas that Stuart Hamblen is putting together. Roy has scruples about what Hamblen is all about, he's a Quantrill type raider in all, but name.

Later on Hamblen has his connections with the Confederacy severed by the Confederacy due in no small part to Rogers's instigation. After that capturing Hamblen and destroying his band becomes a personal mission for Roy.

I think it completely ironic that the Confederacy had such scruples about the fictional character that Hamblen plays. They sure didn't in real life have any about Colonel Quantrill, they couldn't afford any.

I will say that the final showdown between Roy and Hamblen's character is nicely staged.

Still this is not one of the best of the Roy Rogers westerns.

A civil war within the confederacy further splits it.

[mark.waltz · 4/10 · 29 January 2021]

While this B Western has not stood well in the test of time, it has the interesting element of the fact that it deals with self-serving confederate officers and soldiers using the civil war for their own profit. These small troops are basically bandits in uniforms killing and looting in towns they attack and making a mockery of the fight. Roy Rogers and Gabby Hayes are on the trail of these gangs, looking particularly for one of Rogers' old acquaintances, Stuart Hamblen, a West Point educated officer who is one of the worst offenders.

At just an hour, this is certainly watchable on a historical level, but the fact that it involves a bit of a confederate sympathy does seem strange as a subject for a Roy Rogers film. the musical sequences are enjoyable, and of course there's the comedy of George Gabby Hayes but he's actually a little bit more serious than usual, telling Stuart Hamblen off when he comes to visit Roy who has been shot.

There's a bit of romance attached with the presence of Sally March as a Missouri belle who had a crush on Roy as a child but is now involved with Hamblen, that is until he becomes a wanted man. Future western star George Montgomery is somewhere among the many soldiers in smaller roles. Plenty of shootouts, chases and music makes this fly by in just an hour, but outside of its few interesting perspectives is just another B western, quickly forgettable.