Doubt if many kids or even adults will notice that, although the intertitle at the beginning says this story takes place in 1875, in Idaho Territory, the characters believe they are in or close to Miles City, which is actually in eastern Montana. Although Montana was briefly combined with Idaho as Idaho Territory, by 1875, Montana definitely was a territory of its own. Also, there is unlikely to be any gold mines near Miles City, as Gabby Hayes(Honest John) claims, as this is prarie country. It's also 'black gold' (coal) country. ..........Roy, as Dr. Steve Kells, has come from Albany, N.Y. , running from the law on a robbery charge. He's stopped in Miles City temporarily, before moving further west. Serendipitously, in Miles City, he meets his girlfriend Alice (Carol Hughes). She wants him to return with her to Albany, and tell what he knows, implicating Alice's brother , rather than himself. Steve disagrees, saying he's better off continuing to lay low. Alice decides to return to Albany, saying their relationship is finished. Steve buys 2 stagecoach tickets, one going east, and the other going west. But, he doesn't have a chance to use them, because several members of the notorious Border Legion gang abduct him to their hideout, where his duty is to care for the bullet-mangled leg of the leader of this gang, Jim Gulden(Joe Sawyer). Incredibly, eventually, Gulden declares Steve to be the new field boss of the gang!, to give him some reason not to escape. The gang stages a broad daylight raid on a bank. They go roaring out of town, with the plentiful gold on a wagon. A posse soon goes after them. Eventually, the driver of the wagon is killed, so Steve takes his place. He pretends to be shot and dumps the wagon, so that the gold bricks fall out. Later, he explained that this was the only way he could think of to prevent the wagon from reaching the gang's hideout. Nonetheless, the sheriff arrests him. At the same time, a detective from Albany wants to arrest him. Steve says there isn't enough of him for both of them. Eventually, Steve gets a chance to explain himself. .......I should mention that 'Honest John' came to Miles City in a barrel, as a fleeing stowaway. His barrel rolled off the wagon and down a hill, before being splintered when it hit a tree. Incredibly, John wasn't hurt. John is singled out as Hurricane Hattie's new supposed boyfriend, being about the same age. She stood for no gunplay in her saloon. When a gambler pulled out his gun, claiming cheating was going on, Hattie pulled out her gun and shot his gun out of his hand.........I will leave you to see the remainder of the film involving the eventual arrest of the Border Legion gang. The wrap up at the end is not at all believable, but Steve is again recognized as a victim and undercover agent. See it at YouTube.
8 Reviews
Pleasant Enough
FightingWesterner23 May 2010
Fugitive doctor Roy Rogers flees to Idaho after taking the rap for a robbery committed by his sweetheart's brother. Before long, he finds himself holed up with a group of bandits, treating the gang-leader's gunshot wound and has to decide whether to stay with the villains or risk being captured and sent back east.
A perfectly ordinary, though glib Roy Rogers vehicle, this isn't among his best, but it's alright. George "Gabby" Hayes easily steals the show as small-time conman "Honest" John Whittaker, who talks his way up from derelict to mayor in no time at all!
The musical highlight is when Roy joins the gang of outlaws for a spirited rendition of the cowboy classic "Get Along Little Doggies".
A perfectly ordinary, though glib Roy Rogers vehicle, this isn't among his best, but it's alright. George "Gabby" Hayes easily steals the show as small-time conman "Honest" John Whittaker, who talks his way up from derelict to mayor in no time at all!
The musical highlight is when Roy joins the gang of outlaws for a spirited rendition of the cowboy classic "Get Along Little Doggies".
Territory Terrorized
bkoganbing19 March 2014
The Border Legion finds Roy Rogers in the unusual position of being both an Easterner and a fugitive. He's busted jail there, serving time for a murder he didn't commit. He's fled from Albany, New York to the wilds of Idaho Territory with his fiancé Carol Hughes in hot pursuit. Both are riding into territory terrorized by the gang called The Border Legion.
Roy's fugitive status lands him with the leader Joe Sawyer. Roy's a doctor who treats him for a gunshot wound and possible gangrene complications. That puts him in solid and he's in a position to help bring law and order to Idaho.
Gabby Hayes is in this one and he's a lovable rogue who rises from derelict to mayor of gold strike town with the lovely Maude Eburne at his side.
Some butchered editing for television makes one have to fill in the gaps. Still Roy's fans should be pleased.
Roy's fugitive status lands him with the leader Joe Sawyer. Roy's a doctor who treats him for a gunshot wound and possible gangrene complications. That puts him in solid and he's in a position to help bring law and order to Idaho.
Gabby Hayes is in this one and he's a lovable rogue who rises from derelict to mayor of gold strike town with the lovely Maude Eburne at his side.
Some butchered editing for television makes one have to fill in the gaps. Still Roy's fans should be pleased.
Republic Spends Some Money For A Roy Rogers Movie
boblipton10 July 2023
Doctor Roy Rogers shows up in Idaho territory, on the run from some crime in New York State. He's pursued by fiancee Carol Hughes, who's convinced he's innocent but covering for someone. She doesn't know it's her brother, and Rogers doesn't want her to know. He's promptly kidnapped by the Border Legion, bandits who infest the state, led by Joe Sawyer, who needs some medical care. Rogers convinces them he's on their side, and convinces the authorities he's helping them round up the bad guys. Meanwhile, Gabby Hayes shows up, with phony gold mine stock.
It's a lot of subplots to wrap up in 58 minutes with a couple of nice songs to boot, but it almost gets done, despite a bit of rushing at the end. Joseph Kane directs efficiently, DP Jack Marta favors high shots, and Republic spent some money on getting a good cast, including Maude Eburne, Jay Novello and Paul Porcasi, as well as the rights to a Zane Grey book to base it on.
It's a lot of subplots to wrap up in 58 minutes with a couple of nice songs to boot, but it almost gets done, despite a bit of rushing at the end. Joseph Kane directs efficiently, DP Jack Marta favors high shots, and Republic spent some money on getting a good cast, including Maude Eburne, Jay Novello and Paul Porcasi, as well as the rights to a Zane Grey book to base it on.
Pretty good even if a bit trimmed.
planktonrules13 October 2013
In the 1950s, Roy Rogers' films were often trimmed in order to fit TV time slots. That's why so many of his movies are now about 53 minutes. In the case of "The Border Legion", while it has been trimmed, fortunately only five minutes is missing--far better than most of the Rogers films. Heck, one I just saw had 24 minutes trimmed by some idiot editor!
The film is a little unusual in that although Gabby Hayes is in this one, he isn't exactly Roy's sidekick and spends most of the film acting without Roy. Additionally, Roy is a wanted man when the film begins--a bit of an unusual situation! When the film begins, you learn that a young doctor (Rogers) is on the run from back East. What exactly he did or who he is covering for, the viewer has no idea. However, through some unusual circumstances, he's able to infiltrate the Border Legion--a group of criminals that have been plaguing the West. But, since the Doc is a good guy at heart, he agrees to help the Sheriff--provided the Sheriff trusts him to do a bit of undercover work. In addition to Roy and Gabby, Joe Sawyer plays a baddie and Maude Eburne plays the wonderfully crusty Hurricane Hattie. While the ending is just too perfect to be believed, it does move along well and is entertaining.
The film is a little unusual in that although Gabby Hayes is in this one, he isn't exactly Roy's sidekick and spends most of the film acting without Roy. Additionally, Roy is a wanted man when the film begins--a bit of an unusual situation! When the film begins, you learn that a young doctor (Rogers) is on the run from back East. What exactly he did or who he is covering for, the viewer has no idea. However, through some unusual circumstances, he's able to infiltrate the Border Legion--a group of criminals that have been plaguing the West. But, since the Doc is a good guy at heart, he agrees to help the Sheriff--provided the Sheriff trusts him to do a bit of undercover work. In addition to Roy and Gabby, Joe Sawyer plays a baddie and Maude Eburne plays the wonderfully crusty Hurricane Hattie. While the ending is just too perfect to be believed, it does move along well and is entertaining.
"No room for skunks in this town"!
classicsoncall27 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this film under the title "West of the Badlands", even though "The Border Legion" fits it a lot better and actually has something to do with the story. A gang of outlaws headed by Big Jim Gulden (Joe Sawyer) operates in the Idaho Territory as the Border Legion. Roy Rogers' character is a fugitive doctor from Albany, New York, on the lam for a crime committed by the brother of a gal (Carol Hughes) he hooks back up with on the outskirts of Miles City. Never mind the million to one shot of running across each other like this in the Old West, it happens all the time in these B Westerns.
I got a kick out of Gabby Hayes' introduction in the story, rolling down a hill in a wooden barrel after literally falling off the wagon. He's using the name Honest John Whittaker this time out; he and Roy's character don't know each other until Steve Kellogg gives him a lift into town. There Whittaker takes up an amusing relationship with Hurrican Hattie McGuire (Maude Eburn), proprietor of the Idaho Palace Hotel and Bar. Hattie 'owns the bar but don't hold to drinkin', which doesn't make a whole lot of sense if you think about it, but you're really not supposed to think about it.
Just like you shouldn't think too much about the way the story reaches it's conclusion. Gulden's right hand man Santos (Jay Novello) overhears Kellogg's plan to lure the Border Legion into a trap using a fake gold shipment, but Gulden decides to go along anyway, figuring he's got too much muscle and will be too quick to strike to get caught. Bad decision - the good guys storm in from opposite sides to capture the outlaws, and Gulden doesn't make it to the end of the picture. Too bad, I kind of like Joe Sawyer as an actor, even as a villain.
Roy only gets to sing a couple of tunes in the film, the first being 'With My Guitar and You' early on, then follows up later with a spirited rendition of 'Get Along Little Dogies'. He also offers the picture's best line when confronted by an official looking blow-hard who wants to put Kellogg in jail - "You bellow more and accomplish less than a state senator". It was as true back then as it is today.
I got a kick out of Gabby Hayes' introduction in the story, rolling down a hill in a wooden barrel after literally falling off the wagon. He's using the name Honest John Whittaker this time out; he and Roy's character don't know each other until Steve Kellogg gives him a lift into town. There Whittaker takes up an amusing relationship with Hurrican Hattie McGuire (Maude Eburn), proprietor of the Idaho Palace Hotel and Bar. Hattie 'owns the bar but don't hold to drinkin', which doesn't make a whole lot of sense if you think about it, but you're really not supposed to think about it.
Just like you shouldn't think too much about the way the story reaches it's conclusion. Gulden's right hand man Santos (Jay Novello) overhears Kellogg's plan to lure the Border Legion into a trap using a fake gold shipment, but Gulden decides to go along anyway, figuring he's got too much muscle and will be too quick to strike to get caught. Bad decision - the good guys storm in from opposite sides to capture the outlaws, and Gulden doesn't make it to the end of the picture. Too bad, I kind of like Joe Sawyer as an actor, even as a villain.
Roy only gets to sing a couple of tunes in the film, the first being 'With My Guitar and You' early on, then follows up later with a spirited rendition of 'Get Along Little Dogies'. He also offers the picture's best line when confronted by an official looking blow-hard who wants to put Kellogg in jail - "You bellow more and accomplish less than a state senator". It was as true back then as it is today.
West of the Badlands
coltras3513 April 2024
An Eastern doctor (Roy Rogers) is on the run from authorities in New York. Out west he comes to the aid of friends besieged by an outlaw gang known as the border legion. In the end, he is cleared of any wrong-doing back east.
Border Legion -also called West of the Badlands - is a pleasant western based on a Zane Grey story. Roy Rogers is unusually cast as an Eastern doctor- for an Easterner he sure shoots straight - who escapes to the West from a false criminal charge - the real culprit is his girlfriend's brother and he's shielding him for her and she doesn't know this - and gets involved in the Border Legion, a gang of robbers. Roy sings some songs, acts sincerely and gets involved in some action - there's an exciting Stagecoach chasing the border Legion sequence with a killer stunt work when the Stagecoach keels over and the passengers jump off. It's not the most striking western but a relaxing time pass. Maude Eburne as Hurricane, a saloon owner who doesn't like to drink, is a standout character and has some funny lines and gives sage advice.
Border Legion -also called West of the Badlands - is a pleasant western based on a Zane Grey story. Roy Rogers is unusually cast as an Eastern doctor- for an Easterner he sure shoots straight - who escapes to the West from a false criminal charge - the real culprit is his girlfriend's brother and he's shielding him for her and she doesn't know this - and gets involved in the Border Legion, a gang of robbers. Roy sings some songs, acts sincerely and gets involved in some action - there's an exciting Stagecoach chasing the border Legion sequence with a killer stunt work when the Stagecoach keels over and the passengers jump off. It's not the most striking western but a relaxing time pass. Maude Eburne as Hurricane, a saloon owner who doesn't like to drink, is a standout character and has some funny lines and gives sage advice.
Get Along Little Doggies
wes-connors4 September 2007
Roy Rogers (as Dr. Steve Kells) is a wrongly accused fugitive from justice. On his way out west, he meets up with another fugitive, George "Gabby" Hayes (as "Honest" John Whittaker); together, they take up residence in an Idaho town. When Mr. Rogers' identity is discovered, he decides to infiltrate the local gang of terrorists known as "The Border Legion", and make amends...
The film opens with an amusing wheel barrel stunt introducing Mr. Hayes; though, how he emerged intact is a mystery! Hayes is given a comic love interest - Maude Eburne (as Hurricane). Hayes plays a role other than "Gabby", but listening carefully will reveal that doesn't always prevent Roy Rogers from calling him Gabby. Jay Novello (as Santos) steals the show as one of Joseph Sawyer (as Guilden)'s gang. You'll wonder why Rogers leaves Santos so close to a knife and horse at the end of one scene. Mr. Novello's Santos has a unusually close relationship with his boss; their final scene is interesting. Rogers' songs "With My Guitar and You" and "Get Along Little Doggies" are nicely inserted. None of the pluses are enough to life "The Border Legion" aka "West of the Badlands" from mediocrity, however.
*** The Border Legion (1940) Joseph Kane ~ Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Jay Novello
The film opens with an amusing wheel barrel stunt introducing Mr. Hayes; though, how he emerged intact is a mystery! Hayes is given a comic love interest - Maude Eburne (as Hurricane). Hayes plays a role other than "Gabby", but listening carefully will reveal that doesn't always prevent Roy Rogers from calling him Gabby. Jay Novello (as Santos) steals the show as one of Joseph Sawyer (as Guilden)'s gang. You'll wonder why Rogers leaves Santos so close to a knife and horse at the end of one scene. Mr. Novello's Santos has a unusually close relationship with his boss; their final scene is interesting. Rogers' songs "With My Guitar and You" and "Get Along Little Doggies" are nicely inserted. None of the pluses are enough to life "The Border Legion" aka "West of the Badlands" from mediocrity, however.
*** The Border Legion (1940) Joseph Kane ~ Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Jay Novello
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