Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

Izzy Adkins The movie is surprisingly subdued in its pacing, its characterizations, and its go-for-broke sensibilities.

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Kinley This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

JohnHowardReid This entry is about as lively and entertaining as the Roy Roger's westerns ever achieved. Admittedly, the use of Trucolor (which looks a whole lot more attractive on the Republic/Duke DVD than it ever looked on theater screens or TV) - plus classy shooting (in both meanings of that word) on real locations - adds immeasurably to the movie's appeal. The cast is outstanding too. Roy Rogers never gave a more ingratiating performance, and he is well supported by cute (if undersized) Dale Evans who gives an animated and quite sparkling account of her Lee Madison. Andy Devine is also along for the ride, although the scriptwriter never seems quite sure whether to portray Andy as Roy's comic sidekick or as a vigorous and highly reliable action support. (The latter seems to win out, a turn-up that will probably disappoint many of Andy's fans. But it didn't worry me, I hasten to say!) According to the DVD, the movie runs 13O minutes. Someone can't count! That figure would translate to more than two hours and twelve minutes in movie theaters. On the other hand, Republic's press sheet argues 78 minutes which would translate to no more than 76 minutes on a DVD, which seems about right!

wes-connors Roy Rogers is a "border investigator" who arrives at San Angelo for some singing, and some problem solving - the problem is silver smuggling along the U.S.-Mexican border, and murder rears its ugly head. Comic sidekick Andy Devine (as "Cookie") is local sheriff / dog catcher. Dale Evans (as "Helen") is a reporter with a nose for news, and a penchant for trouble. Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers sing "Hot Lead" and shoot the breeze."Bells of San Angelo" is full of absurdities. Mr. Devine's dogs and raccoon keep the production looking perpetually infantile - one of the dogs even tosses a bad guy over a cliff. There are several scenes with Mr. Rogers and Ms. Evans (especially Ms. Evans) performing quite well, but the production does not give them a proper outlet for their obvious charm and ability; they shine in the "Robin Hood" scene, and during a couple of songs (like "I Love the West" ). The color photography is nice, but the film is lackluster. ** Bells of San Angelo (1947) William Witney ~ Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Andy Devine

classicsoncall "Bells of San Angelo" is one of the early Republic films done in Trucolor, although it was orange and blue that dominated the print I just viewed. Cowboy hero Roy Rogers portrays himself as a border investigator on the trail of a silver smuggling operation. Roy is aided by comic sidekick Andy Devine in a dual role, as Sheriff Cookie Bullfincher, and as his later revealed alter ego George Wallingford Lancaster, although the second identity has no real significance in the story. Dale Evans enters the picture as Western novelist Lee Madison, and the first half of the film includes a running gag wherein Roy and companions expect to meet a male writer. Roy consistently dismisses Madison's stories as trivial, as Dale takes it all in while claiming to be a woman named Helen Clifford, until she can figure out what Rogers is all about.When Roy, Cookie and Lee discover the phony mine that serves as the front for the smugglers, trouble ensues as Miss Madison is kidnapped by the gang's leader Gridley (John McGuire). It's Trigger to the rescue, as his riderless presence alerts Roy's pals, the Sons of the Pioneers into action. Taking a page from Miss Madison's book "Murder on the Border", page 77 to be exact, Roy appears to shoot Lee as she's held hostage by Gridley. Roy then takes care of the bad guys in short order, even though it's two against one."Bells of San Angelo" is entertaining enough, and it's nice to see Pat Brady, even if in an uncredited role as one of the Sons of the Pioneers. His comic timing is not as fully developed as we'll come to see in a few more years on the "Roy Rogers Show". Roy and Dale make a charming couple, and they even get to sing a duet together among the host of songs presented in the film.

keck50 This one gets better as it goes along. It features Andy Devine as one of Roy's better sidekicks, Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers, Dale as Western writer in disguise. Bad guys are weaker actors than usual. Excellent color processes from Republic help on this one. Weak script hurts, and except for Devine and Snowflake Toones as the ranch cook, the acting is barely passable.