"Singing Guns" was a vehicle for singer Vaughn Monroe who was a popular singer/bandleader of the 1940s and early 1950s. His rich baritone voice was heard on several hit records of the period (Let it Snow, Let it Snow)
Republic Pictures put him into a couple of their westerns and provided him with stellar supporting casts. For his debut in this film he had the support of Ella Raines (she of the piercing blue eyes), Walter Brennan and Ward Bond not to mention veteran western director R.G. Springsteen.
Monroe plays a bandit known as Rhiannon (I don't know where that name came from), who has been robbing gold shipments from the local mine and storing up his booty somewhere in the hills. The opening sequence has a bearded and somewhat unrecognizable Monroe holding up a stagecoach carrying Sheriff Jim Cardac (Bond) and saloon girl Nan Morgan (Raines).
Rhiannon guides the coach to the edge of town where he forces Cardac to walk down the main street of town dressed in women's clothes. Cardac changes clothes in his office and immediately purses the bandit. On the edge of his hideout, Rhiannon shoots the Sheriff wounding him seriously. He takes the unconscious man to the home of Doc Mark (Brennan) who recognizes Rhiannon and drugs him while he arranges a blood transfusion which saves the Sheriff's life.
Doc cleans the bandit up by shaving off his whiskers and dressing him in different clothes. Rhiannon unaware of Doc's scheme, is not recognized by Cardac and decides to take on the role of Deputy Sheriff while awaits a large gold shipment to be sent.
Rhiannon begins to like his new role and strikes up a romance with Nan, however she has designs on the hidden loot and sees something familiar in Rhiannon's appearance. Mine owner Richards (Jeff Corey) also is trying to find the hidden cache.
When the day of the gold shipment arrives, Rhiannon must make a choice. Does he rob the stage or keep his new life as Deputy Sheriff? What do you think?
Monroe sings a couple of songs one of which is the hit "Mule Train". He wasn't that bad an actor, as good as any of Republic's contract players, but he made only one more movie. Ward Bond has as much screen time as Monroe as does Brennan and both turn in their usual great performances.
There are several other recognizable "B" western performers scattered throughout the film. Watch for Rex Lease and Jimmie Dodd as the stage drivers, John Doucette, Denver Pyle, Robert Rockwell, Dennis Moore and Ed Cassidy in small roles and also "Father Knows Best" future kids Elinor Donahue and Billy Gray as Murphy's daughter and a boy who stole a chicken in early parts. Barry Kelley is also good as the rough and tough minor Mike Murphy. Republic's favorite bad guy Roy Barcroft provides the opening narration.
Republic Pictures put him into a couple of their westerns and provided him with stellar supporting casts. For his debut in this film he had the support of Ella Raines (she of the piercing blue eyes), Walter Brennan and Ward Bond not to mention veteran western director R.G. Springsteen.
Monroe plays a bandit known as Rhiannon (I don't know where that name came from), who has been robbing gold shipments from the local mine and storing up his booty somewhere in the hills. The opening sequence has a bearded and somewhat unrecognizable Monroe holding up a stagecoach carrying Sheriff Jim Cardac (Bond) and saloon girl Nan Morgan (Raines).
Rhiannon guides the coach to the edge of town where he forces Cardac to walk down the main street of town dressed in women's clothes. Cardac changes clothes in his office and immediately purses the bandit. On the edge of his hideout, Rhiannon shoots the Sheriff wounding him seriously. He takes the unconscious man to the home of Doc Mark (Brennan) who recognizes Rhiannon and drugs him while he arranges a blood transfusion which saves the Sheriff's life.
Doc cleans the bandit up by shaving off his whiskers and dressing him in different clothes. Rhiannon unaware of Doc's scheme, is not recognized by Cardac and decides to take on the role of Deputy Sheriff while awaits a large gold shipment to be sent.
Rhiannon begins to like his new role and strikes up a romance with Nan, however she has designs on the hidden loot and sees something familiar in Rhiannon's appearance. Mine owner Richards (Jeff Corey) also is trying to find the hidden cache.
When the day of the gold shipment arrives, Rhiannon must make a choice. Does he rob the stage or keep his new life as Deputy Sheriff? What do you think?
Monroe sings a couple of songs one of which is the hit "Mule Train". He wasn't that bad an actor, as good as any of Republic's contract players, but he made only one more movie. Ward Bond has as much screen time as Monroe as does Brennan and both turn in their usual great performances.
There are several other recognizable "B" western performers scattered throughout the film. Watch for Rex Lease and Jimmie Dodd as the stage drivers, John Doucette, Denver Pyle, Robert Rockwell, Dennis Moore and Ed Cassidy in small roles and also "Father Knows Best" future kids Elinor Donahue and Billy Gray as Murphy's daughter and a boy who stole a chicken in early parts. Barry Kelley is also good as the rough and tough minor Mike Murphy. Republic's favorite bad guy Roy Barcroft provides the opening narration.