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5.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, you probably already know if you like this kind of thing. If you want a gritty, modern western, look elsewhere. If you want Gene Autry yodeling while riding a horse named Champion through a Georgia range war, pull up a chair.
Folks who love old-school singing cowboys will have a blast. People who need complex character arcs or modern pacing will be bored to tears within twenty minutes. 🐎
The whole thing feels like it was put together on a Sunday afternoon. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it’s definitely loose.
Autry plays the hero with that same unshakable, polite calm he brought to everything. He doesn't just shoot bad guys; he out-sings them. Or at least, he makes the movie feel like a musical, which is a bit of a weird shift from the usual Secret Patrol type of vibe.
There’s this one scene where a horse does more acting than half the human cast. You can tell Gene is trying to keep a straight face while the plot gets more and more ridiculous.
It’s not as sharp as Mickey the Detective, but it’s got a weird, earnest heart to it. You aren't watching this for the script, that’s for sure.
The pacing is all over the place. Sometimes people just walk into a room and the plot moves forward three steps instantly. It’s like the editor just wanted to go home.
If you're looking for something that takes itself too seriously, stay away. This is pure, low-stakes comfort food.
The songs come out of nowhere. One second they are arguing about land rights, and then suddenly, boom, a ballad. It’s delightfully jarring. 🎸
I caught myself checking my watch, but then Autry started singing again and I stayed. That’s the magic of these old things, I guess.
Anyway, watch it if you want to see a simpler time, or just want to see a horse get top billing.
