Prairie Moon

Prairie Moon is a musical western film from 1938, starring Gene Autry as himself, with Smiley Burnette and Shirley Deane as supporting actors. Directed by Joseph Kane, the movie takes place in the Wild West during the late 1800s and follows the adventure of Gene Autry and his friend, Frog Millhouse (Smiley Burnette), as they try to stop a gang of cattle rustlers.

The story begins with Gene and Frog arriving in the town of Casper, Wyoming, where they meet Ruth Cameron (Shirley Deane), a lovely young woman who works as a singer at the local saloon. Gene is smitten with Ruth and decides to stay in Casper for a while to get to know her better.

However, trouble is brewing in Casper as a gang of cattle rustlers, led by Ace Hanlon (LeRoy Mason), is stealing cattle from the nearby ranches. Gene and Frog are sworn to protect the law and quickly set out to catch the rustlers.

Meanwhile, Gene and Ruth begin to fall in love, but their romance is threatened when Ruth's father, Judge Cameron (Frank M. Thomas), is kidnapped by Hanlon's gang. Gene and Frog must now rescue the judge and stop the rustlers before it's too late.

As they investigate the rustlers' activities, Gene and Frog discover that the gang is working with a crooked banker, Jasper Martin (William Farnum), who is using the stolen cattle to cover up his embezzlement scheme.

The plot thickens as Gene and Frog try to gather evidence against the rustlers and the banker, all while trying to protect Ruth and her father from harm. Along the way, they face several obstacles, including a shootout, a jailbreak, and a daring escape from a burning cabin.

The music in the film is an important element and features several catchy tunes, including "Prairie Moon", "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine", and "The Old Trail". Gene Autry's singing and guitar-playing skills are showcased throughout the movie, and his duets with Shirley Deane are particularly memorable.

As a western, Prairie Moon has all the essential elements of the genre, including gunfights, chases on horseback, and a climactic showdown between the heroes and the villains. However, the film also has a romantic subplot that adds a softer touch to the story.

Overall, Prairie Moon is an entertaining western musical that showcases Gene Autry's talent as a singer and actor. The plot is simple but engaging, and the characters are likable and well-acted. The film is a nostalgic tribute to a bygone era of Hollywood and a must-see for fans of classic westerns.