Down Dakota Way

Sep 9 1949 Approved 1h 7m
Western

In Roy Rogers' Down Dakota Way, the deadly hoof-and-mouth disease has struck the herd owned by evil rancher H. T. McKenzie (Roy Barcroft). To avoid an expensive quarantine on his stock, McKenzie plans to murder the local veterinarian (Emmet Vogan) before the latter can report his findings to the government. Rogers manages to straighten out the situation by appealing to the sensibilities of the aunt (Elizabeth Risdon) of McKenzie's hotheaded hired assassin (Byron Barr). The film also bears several musical numbers from Roy, Dale Evans, and Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage.

Plot

Rancher H. T. McKenzie is informed by veterinarian George Fredericks that his cattle are carriers of the hoof-and-mouth disease and must be destroyed. McKenzie hires Steve Paxton to kill the vet and steal his report. Roy Rogers and the Riders of the Purple Sage (Foy Willing, Darol Rice, George Bamby and Al Sloey) on their way to the Cheyenne Rodeo, detour through Sun Rock so that Roy can visit his old schoolteacher Dolly Paxton, Steve's stepmother. Roy becomes involved in the chase of Steve by Sheriff Holbrook. Ruth Shaw tells Roy that the school board has fired Dolly because of Steve, and that she has turned into a crushed and bitter woman still willing to defend her stepson. Roy discovers a McKenzie calf with symptoms of hoof-and-mouth which puts him on the trail of McKenzie.

Written by

John K. Butler, Sloan Nibley

Directed by

William Witney

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Republic Pictures

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
166
Average Rating
6.1 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA