Wild Country...

Wild Country (1947)

Producers Releasing Corporation was probably the lowest budget of all low budget movie production companies. Their movies were literally made on a shoestring budget and it’s kind of ironic that their initials were PRC, because many people refer to these kinds of movie companies as poverty row companies.

PRC did work with some major talent though; their westerns featured such heroes as Buster Crabbe and Lash La Rue. Eddie Dean had been a bit player in several Gene Autry films, but he had more potential than Republic Pictures had ever realized, and it would take a few starring roles in several smaller productions to prove it. Those smaller efforts would eventually lead to his series for PRC.

Lacking the charm of Gene Autry or Roy Rogers, Eddie Dean would never quite reach their level of popularity, but what Dean lacked in charisma he more than made up for with his vocal talents. He had one of the finest voices in the ranks of the singing cowboys and I’m very surprised that he isn’t more fondly remembered than some of his other contemporaries.

Wild Country finds Eddie and his sidekick Soapy (played Roscoe Ates) on the trail of the outlaw Rip Caxton (portrayed by the ever reliable I. Stanford Jolley). Along the way Dean sings a few tunes (including the title track and Ain't No Gal Got a Brand On Me), Soapy provides some comedic antics, and a few good fights round out the mix.

Not a particularly memorable movie, but entertaining none the less, and it does move along quickly enough to not wear out its welcome. Clocking in at less than an hour it’s certainly a decent enough time killer.

-William J. White