My Pal Trigger
Encyclopedia
My Pal Trigger is a 1946
American western musical film
directed by Frank McDonald. The screenplay by Jack Townley and John K. Butler was based upon a story by Paul Gangelin. The film stars Roy Rogers
, Dale Evans
, George “Gabby” Hayes, Jack Holt
, and Trigger
in a story about the origin of Rogers's mount, and their deep and faithful bond. The film features several musical numbers for Rogers, Evans, and Bob Nolan
and the Sons of the Pioneers
.
named "Lady" with Golden Sovereign, a stallion
owned by rancher Gabby Kendrick. Kendrick refuses, preferring to mate the stallion with his own stock. Brett Scoville, a wealthy rancher and nightclub
owner, wants to mate the stallion with his mare as well, and, to that end, steals the stallion. Golden Sovereign breaks free, finds Lady, and has a romantic interlude with her in the hills.
A search is raised to find Golden Sovereign, but Scoville accidentally shoots and kills the horse. Roy arrives on the scene and chases Scoville off with a bullet but cannot later identify him as the killer. To all appearances, it looks like Roy is responsible for the death of Golden Sovereign, and he is arrested. He jumps bail, and takes off on Lady. Months later, Lady gives birth to Golden Sovereign's son. Roy names him Trigger and, in time, the horse becomes his mount.
Roy returns to the Golden Horse Ranch to present Trigger as a gift to Kendrick. The gift is declined, and Roy is jailed as a fugitive
from justice. Trigger is auction
ed to pay Roy's debts. Scoville acquires the horse and, when the case against Roy is dropped, hires him to train Trigger.
A year later, Scoville and Susan Kendrick enter their horses in a race at the State Fair
. Roy is riding Scoville's Trigger in the race, and Scoville promises him ownership of the horse should he win the race. Roy is reluctant to race after learning Scoville killed Golden Sovereign. However, Roy races and aids Susan when Scoville's men hold her horse in a pocket on the track. Susan wins the race on Golden Empress, and, consequently, Roy loses possession of Trigger. Later, Scoville is arrested for killing Golden Sovereign, and, Roy finally comes into possession of Trigger through Kendrick. Eventually, Roy is employed at the Kendrick ranch, and Trigger becomes the father of twin sons born to Susan's Golden Empress.
1946 in film
The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a...
American western musical film
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
directed by Frank McDonald. The screenplay by Jack Townley and John K. Butler was based upon a story by Paul Gangelin. The film stars Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
, Dale Evans
Dale Evans
Dale Evans, was an American writer, movie star, and singer-songwriter. She was the third wife of singing cowboy Roy Rogers.-Early life:...
, George “Gabby” Hayes, Jack Holt
Jack Holt (actor)
Jack Holt was an American motion picture actor. He was a leading man of silent and sound films, and was known for his many roles in Westerns.-Early life:...
, and Trigger
Trigger (horse)
Trigger was a palomino horse, made famous in American Western films with his owner/rider, cowboy star Roy Rogers.-Pedigree:...
in a story about the origin of Rogers's mount, and their deep and faithful bond. The film features several musical numbers for Rogers, Evans, and Bob Nolan
Bob Nolan
Bob Nolan was a Canadian-born American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was a founding member of the Sons of the Pioneers, and composer of numerous Country music and Western music songs, including the standards "Cool Water" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds." He is generally regarded as one of the...
and the Sons of the Pioneers
Sons of the Pioneers
The Sons of the Pioneers are one of America's earliest Western singing groups whose classic recordings set a new standard for performers of Western music. Known for the high quality of their vocal performances, musicianship, and songwriting, they produced finely-crafted and innovative recordings...
.
Plot
Roy Rogers, a horse dealer and a peddler of leather goods, is hoping to mate his mareMare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
named "Lady" with Golden Sovereign, a stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
owned by rancher Gabby Kendrick. Kendrick refuses, preferring to mate the stallion with his own stock. Brett Scoville, a wealthy rancher and nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
owner, wants to mate the stallion with his mare as well, and, to that end, steals the stallion. Golden Sovereign breaks free, finds Lady, and has a romantic interlude with her in the hills.
A search is raised to find Golden Sovereign, but Scoville accidentally shoots and kills the horse. Roy arrives on the scene and chases Scoville off with a bullet but cannot later identify him as the killer. To all appearances, it looks like Roy is responsible for the death of Golden Sovereign, and he is arrested. He jumps bail, and takes off on Lady. Months later, Lady gives birth to Golden Sovereign's son. Roy names him Trigger and, in time, the horse becomes his mount.
Roy returns to the Golden Horse Ranch to present Trigger as a gift to Kendrick. The gift is declined, and Roy is jailed as a fugitive
Fugitive
A fugitive is a person who is fleeing from custody, whether it be from private slavery, a government arrest, government or non-government questioning, vigilante violence, or outraged private individuals...
from justice. Trigger is auction
Auction
An auction is a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder...
ed to pay Roy's debts. Scoville acquires the horse and, when the case against Roy is dropped, hires him to train Trigger.
A year later, Scoville and Susan Kendrick enter their horses in a race at the State Fair
State fair
A state fair is a competitive and recreational gathering of a U.S. state's population. It is a larger version of a county fair, often including only exhibits or competitors that have won in their categories at the more-local county fairs....
. Roy is riding Scoville's Trigger in the race, and Scoville promises him ownership of the horse should he win the race. Roy is reluctant to race after learning Scoville killed Golden Sovereign. However, Roy races and aids Susan when Scoville's men hold her horse in a pocket on the track. Susan wins the race on Golden Empress, and, consequently, Roy loses possession of Trigger. Later, Scoville is arrested for killing Golden Sovereign, and, Roy finally comes into possession of Trigger through Kendrick. Eventually, Roy is employed at the Kendrick ranch, and Trigger becomes the father of twin sons born to Susan's Golden Empress.
Cast
- Roy RogersRoy RogersRoy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
as Roy Rogers, a horse dealer and peddler of leather goods - TriggerTrigger (horse)Trigger was a palomino horse, made famous in American Western films with his owner/rider, cowboy star Roy Rogers.-Pedigree:...
as Trigger, the son of Kendrick’s Golden Sovereign and Roy’s Lady - George Hayes as Gabby Kendrick, owner of the Golden Horse Ranch and Golden Sovereign, a stallion
- Dale EvansDale EvansDale Evans, was an American writer, movie star, and singer-songwriter. She was the third wife of singing cowboy Roy Rogers.-Early life:...
as Susan Kendrick, his daughter - Bob NolanBob NolanBob Nolan was a Canadian-born American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was a founding member of the Sons of the Pioneers, and composer of numerous Country music and Western music songs, including the standards "Cool Water" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds." He is generally regarded as one of the...
as Bob, a Kendrick ranch hand - Sons of the PioneersSons of the PioneersThe Sons of the Pioneers are one of America's earliest Western singing groups whose classic recordings set a new standard for performers of Western music. Known for the high quality of their vocal performances, musicianship, and songwriting, they produced finely-crafted and innovative recordings...
as musicians and Kendrick ranch hands - Jack HoltJack Holt (actor)Jack Holt was an American motion picture actor. He was a leading man of silent and sound films, and was known for his many roles in Westerns.-Early life:...
as Brett Scoville, a wealthy rancher, horse breeder, and owner of the El Dorado casino and nightclub - LeRoy MasonLeRoy MasonLeRoy Mason was an American film actor. He died on the set of California Firebrand after suffering a heart attack.-Selected filmography:The following were with John Wayne:* Maker of Men...
as Carson, Scoville’s henchman - Roy BarcroftRoy BarcroftRoy Barcroft was an American character actor famous for playing villains in B-Westerns and other genres. Noted film critic Leonard Maltin acclaimed Barcroft as "Republic Pictures' number one bad guy".-Early life:...
as Hunter, Scoville’s henchman - Kenne DuncanKenne DuncanKenne Duncan , born Kenneth Duncan MacLachlan, was a well-known B-movie character actor. Hyped professionally as "The Meanest Man in the Movies," the vast majority of his over 250 appearances on camera were Westerns, but he also did occasional forays into horror, crime drama, and science fiction...
as a croupier at Scoville’s nightclub - Sam Flint as the Sheriff of El Dorado County
- Ralph SanfordRalph SanfordRalph Sanford was an American film actor. He appeared in over 200 films between 1930 and 1960.He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:* In the Dough...
as Al, an auctioneer - Francis McDonaldFrancis McDonaldFrancis McDonald was an American actor whose career spanned 52 years. Although never really a headlining actor, he made 41 film and television appearances between 1913 and 1965, appearing in films such as The Temptress in 1926 with Greta Garbo...
as Pete, a storekeeper - Harlan Briggs as Dr. Bentley, a veterinarian
- William HaadeWilliam HaadeWilliam Haade was an American film actor. He appeared in over 250 films between 1937 and 1957.He was born in New York, and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:* The Invisible Menace...
as Davis