Valley Of Fire

Valley of Fire is a 1951 western film starring Gene Autry, Champion, and Gail Davis. In the film, Gene Autry plays himself as a traveling singer who gets caught up in a land dispute between ranchers and homesteaders in the fictional town of Shelbyville.

The film begins with Autry and his horse, Champion, traveling through the desert when they come upon a young boy, Tommy Tucker (played by Robert Hyatt), who is lost and alone. Autry takes Tommy under his wing and brings him to Shelbyville, where he discovers that the town is being torn apart by a feud between two groups of people: the ranchers and the homesteaders.

The ranchers are led by Colonel Robert Morrison (played by Harry Tyler), who believes that the land should be used solely for grazing cattle. The homesteaders, on the other hand, are led by Sally Crane (played by Gail Davis), who wants to settle the land and grow crops. Neither group is willing to back down, and the conflict has turned violent.

As Autry becomes more involved in the conflict, he learns that Morrison has been using his power and influence to intimidate and coerce the homesteaders into leaving the area. Autry is determined to put a stop to the violence and bring peace to the town. With the help of Sally and Tommy, he tries to find a way to resolve the dispute and get both sides to work together.

Along the way, Autry finds himself in several exciting and dangerous situations. He gets into a fistfight with Morrison's henchmen, gets caught in a blaze that threatens the entire town, and has to rescue Sally and Tommy when they are kidnapped by Morrison. Through it all, Autry remains determined to resolve the dispute and bring peace to the valley.

One of the most notable aspects of Valley of Fire is the music. Gene Autry was not only a popular movie star but also a successful recording artist, and he sings several songs in the film, including "Valley of Fire," "My Dear Old Arizona Home," and "Gold Mine in the Sky." These songs not only add to the overall enjoyment of the movie but also serve to highlight Autry's talents as a singer and musician.

Overall, Valley of Fire is an entertaining and engaging western with a strong message about cooperation and working together. Gene Autry delivers a strong performance as both a cowboy and a singer, and the supporting cast, including Gail Davis and young Robert Hyatt, are equally impressive. The film's focus on music and its catchy songs make it a standout among western films of the era.