The Strawberry Roan (1948)

Gene Autry, Gloria Henry, Jack Holt, Dick Jones, Pat Buttram ... see more  , Rufe Davis , John McGuire , Eddy Waller , Redd Harper , Jack Ingram , Eddie Parker , Ted Mapes , Sam Flint , Champion

Gene Autry's equine sidekick Champion takes the center stage in western drama, based on a story by fellow sagebrush star Ken Maynard. Walt Bailey (Jack Holt) is teaching his young son Joe (Dickie Jone... read more s) how to break in a horse when a high-spirited steed (Champion) throws the boy, leaving him severely injured. Furious, Walt demands that the horse be killed, but instead it escapes and ranch foreman Gene (Gene Autry) decides to train the horse rather than destroy it. When Gene returns with the horse, Walt's range returns anew, but Gene senses that the newly tamed horse's spirit could help inspire Joe to overcome his handicap. This was Gene Autry's first picture in color, and (of course) featured him singing five songs of the West. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi