Under Western Skies
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Jean Yarbrough
Martha O'driscoll
Noah Beery Jr.
Leo Carrillo
Leon Errol
Irving Bacon
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
The stagecoach carrying Willie Wells's Variety Show, a Barbary Coast musical revue, is attacked by the notorious bandit, King Carlos Randall, and his gang. Rather than stealing the troupe's money, King, taken by Willie's beautiful daughter Katie, asks for a performance, much to the consternation of his men. Later, the troupe arrives in the small Western town of Rim Rock, Arizona, only to learn that they have been banned from performing in the community-owned opera house by a local ladies' club. Katie then convinces the proprietor of the Silver Dollar saloon to allow the troupe to perform there. Later, Katie meets Tod Howell, the local schoolteacher, who fixes the wheel of her carriage, but voices his disapproval of variety shows. Still, Tod sneaks into the Silver Dollar that night for the show, which is interrupted first by an impromptu performance by saloon girl Maybelle Watkins, then by the appearance of King Carlos and his gang. When James Whitcolm Wyatt, the town's near-sighted sheriff, confronts King Carlos, a brawl breaks out which nearly destroys the saloon. Katie is rescued from the mêlée by Tod, who then takes her out on a moonlight carriage ride. The next day, Katie forces the troupe to attend the local church services, as a show of good faith to the community of Rim Rock. The services are stopped when King Carlos' men arrive and abduct Katie. Jim is then fired as sheriff when he fails to shoot the bandits as they leave, as his double vision makes it impossible for him to distinguish Katie from the outlaws. Jim manages to somehow redeem himself, however, and rescues Katie from King Carlos. Later, during a ceremony held in the Silver Dollar, a new plaque honoring Jim is unveiled. Jim, however, insists that the honor should go to Katie, having "lured" King Carlos into his trap. The show people are then finally accepted by the town, and Katie and Tod are married.
Director
Jean Yarbrough
Cast
Martha O'driscoll
Noah Beery Jr.
Leo Carrillo
Leon Errol
Irving Bacon
Ian Keith
Jennifer Holt
Edna May Wonacott
Earle Hodgins
Shaw And Lee
Dorothy Granger
Jack Rice
Gladys Blake
George Lloyd
Claire Whitney
Frank Lackteen
Jack Ingram
Patsy O'byrne
Nan Leslie
Ed Waller
Perc Launders
Donald Kerr
Warren Jackson
Charles Sherlock
Crew
Bernard B. Brown
Clyde Bruckman
Philip Cahn
Everett Carter
William Fox
Victor A. Gangelin
Russell A. Gausman
Joseph Gershenson
George Gershwin
John B. Goodman
Arthur Hilton
Paul Neal
Ronald K. Pierce
Stanley Roberts
Stanley Roberts
Milton Rosen
H. J. Salter
Frank Skinner
Harold I. Smith
Charles Van Enger
Seward Webb
Vera West
Warren Wilson
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this film was Musical Round-Up. The viewed print was missing several critical scenes near the end of the film. Although the Copyright Catalog lists Universal Pictures Co., Inc. as the film's copyright claimant and there is a copyright statement on the film, the number and date listed, LP13300 on January 4, 1945, are incorrect and actual number and date have not been determined. While the film's credits and most contemporary sources list H. J. Salter as Under Western Skies's musical director, the Daily Variety review credits Frank Skinner in that position. Modern sources include Ray Jones in the cast.
