classicsoncall I guess I would consider this a ghost themed Western, even if the title didn't use the words 'ghost' or 'haunted' to describe the picture. I find this to be a neat little sub-genre of the Western movie experience, and find particular delight in these kinds of stories. The only thing is, this wasn't much of a ghost story, as the 'ghost' turned out to be a character who faked his own death some twenty years earlier. On the face of it, I'm not buying that premise but what the heck, it's a Gene Autry picture.You know, if you keep an eye on Gene in the early going, it looked like he really might have hurt himself when his stagecoach crashed during the Frontier Days Celebration race. He grabs his right thigh as if in pain, and actually grimaces as the scene transitions to the next part of the story. Gene uses a makeshift cane for the ensuing scenes, so I'm curious now whether the story was written that way, or around the fact that he might have been slightly injured.Nan Leslie appeared in quite a few B Westerns but I have to say, she never looked more glamorous than she did here once she shed the bookworm image used when Gene first found her at The Bonanza. The story goes on to reveal how she became aware of Gene back in Canyon Junction and fell in love with him from afar, knowing that he had a thing going with saloon gal Lily Shannon. I was curious about a phrase Lily used when she showed Gene her new dress - "Isn't it pash"? I had to look that up - a slang expression for passionate, which I take would be the way she felt about Gene, even while Alan Hale was making his move on her. Interestingly, she didn't show up in the story again.So what we have here is a story about a trio of outlaws out to recover some stolen loot after serving a twenty year hitch for a stagecoach robbery. Well, two of them anyway, the third outlaw was shot and replaced by Jock Mahoney, appearing as he did in these early B Westerns as O'Mahoney. It's too bad he didn't get to show off his riding skills here, he was one of the best in my book. But this was Gene's picture.Now I've got to say, I was at a loss for words at the finale when Champion got in on the action and stomped one of the baddies to death. It was done off screen, but it still resonated with this viewer. You could say that villain Jake Fargo (Walter Sande) had it coming to him, but gee, that was tough way to go. As far as movie horses go, I'd say he was one up on Trigger.

MartinHafer I have watched a ton of B-westerns lately--mostly those films by old reliable series stars like Roy Rogers, Tim McCoy, Hoot Gibson and Gene Autry. While they are fun and entertaining, a major problem about them is that all too often the plots are either VERY recycled and familiar or they just don't seem that important. Too often singing and formula seem THE most important thing about the films. However, sometimes these stars make a film that stands out because it's original--and "Rim of the Canyon" is such a movie.The first thing you need to know is that NOTHING about the title has anything to do with the film! Don't worry--it's still good. The film begins with Gene in a wagon race with a very young Alan Hale, Jr.--and Hale sabotages Gene's wagon to win! As a result of his wagon falling apart, Gene is left stranded--and the nearest town is a ghost town. However, when he arrives he finds the local school teacher. It seems she loves the old place AND likes to come and talk with a ghost!! Gene naturally suspects it's not a ghost--and perhaps the lady is wacky! At around the same time, three evil criminals escape from prison. Not only did Gene's father capture them (which you see in a flashback) but while Gene is racing, they steel his beloved horse, Champion! Eventually, this Einstein-like horse escapes and the three desperadoes end up in this ghost town. Considering they have a deep hatred of Gene's dad, they decide to do the next best thing and kill Gene...and his friends. I say friends because in addition to the teacher (Nan Leslie), there is a goofy old man named 'Loco John' (Clem Bevans) and the 'ghost' (Thurston Hall)! All four face certain death unless SOMETHING happens to stop these baddies.As you can see, the plot sure is different. But there were several things I liked about this in addition. Hall was simply great. You can't help but be charmed by his sweet character--and Bevans is his usual cantankerous character as well---and they both added a lot to the film. Leslie was also quite nice--playing a different sort of romantic lead--one who was odd but very likable and sexy. As for Gene, he was quite good because he was not so invulnerable as some cowboys--he takes a few licks but comes back swinging--and did a reasonable amount of his own stunts. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is the cliché of having Gene play his father in a flashback scene. Identical family members almost never occurs in real life--but is a common staple in B-movies! Still, if that's my biggest complaint, then I have no serious qualms about recommending this genuinely fun film. If you like the genre, see this movie!By the way, if you do see this film, pay attention to what Champion does at the end of the movie. I have NEVER seen a horse do this sort of thing and it sure made for a dark but unique ending. See what I mean for yourself.

bkoganbing Rim Of The Canyon finds Gene Autry without a sidekick, usually a necessary character in the B western. But the film does make up for the lack of a Smiley Burnette or a Pat Buttram in it with a somewhat unusual story about a ghost town and a ghost.Gene Autry comes to town to drive in a stagecoach race and learns of the escape of three convicts from prison, Walter Sande, Jock Mahoney, and Francis McDonald. Sande is someone that Gene's father, Marshal Steve Autry sent to prison for a $30,000.00 robbery from which the loot was never recovered. In a flashback sequence where Gene plays his father we see how the capture was made.Getting thrown from the stagecoach and seeking shelter and help, Gene arrives in a ghost town where the local school marm has taken to spending some time. Nan Leslie is there fascinated by the ghost of a mining tycoon who haunts the place. She and Gene will need all the help they can get from this world and the next when the three escaped convicts arrive looking for the loot which by coincidence Sande stashed there.With this glimpse into the supernatural, Rim Of The Canyon is a cut or two above the average B western. Gene was making them at this point for Columbia having left the cowboy stable of Republic and Herbert J. Yates. The stories and the treatment reflect that, there are some brutal scenes in Rim Of The Canyon that Yates would never have allowed his cowboy heroes to participate in.Rounding out the cast in Rim Of The Canyon are Alan Hale, Jr. as Gene's rival in the stagecoach race, Thurston Hall as a very avuncular ghost who hosts Gene and Nan, and Clem Bevans playing his usual old codger prospector.Gene wrote and sang the two songs from this film, the title song and one of his most enduring hits, You're The Only Star In My Blue Heaven.A good western for Mr. Autry even if he didn't have a sidekick.

Michael O'Keefe Riding, shooting and singing...Gene Autry plays in a dual role chasing bad guys that his dad Marshal Steve Autry(Autry)jailed over twenty years earlier. Wonder horse Champion is stolen and Gene has tracked the culprits to a ghost town where school teacher Ruth Lambert(Nan Leslie)believes to have talked to the ghost of an old prospector(Clem Bevans). Gene finds Champion and the horse gets his revenge by trampling a villain. Gene finds time to romance Ruth and gets to sing the popular "You're The Only Star In My Blue Heaven" as well as the title song "Rim Of The Canyon". It is easy to see that Columbia Pictures has a larger budget than Republic. Also in the cast: Thurston Hall, Jock Mahoney and Alan Hale Jr.