The term 'whirlwind' serves double duty in this entertaining Gene Autry flick, first as the title song, and then as the alter-ego of Autry's character, a government postal inspector. It was a little disconcerting to see Gene don an outlaw's mask in the opening scene to rob the Tucson stagecoach of it's registered mail pouch. We're let in on Gene's clever ruse a few moments later, when the real bandits, working for Big Jim Lassiter (Thurston Hall) attempt to rob the same stagecoach. Quickly following up, Gene returns the goods shortly after to the amazement of the stage drivers, as Gene explains - "Some people call me The Whirlwind".
Smiley Burnette joins Gene once again, this time working undercover as a mail order veterinarian; his wagon reads the 'Ailin' Animal Clinic'. Smiley proves to be quite the tough guy in the early going, managing to take on four or five Lassiter henchmen while Gene has his hands full with the Red Valley prosecuting attorney Wade Kimball (Harry Lauter). His fight scene is quite cleverly staged, as the bad guys continually miss their opportunity to bring him down, while Smiley puts a nearby water trough to good advantage.
Also on hand is pretty Gail Davis as Laine Lassiter, niece of the main villain. Her portrayal starts out as almost a heel role, but she warms up to Gene's serenading throughout the story. He offers a catchy little ditty in the early going, but if you listen to the words, they seem to be a little puzzling - "There ain't no lady gonna break my heart, as long as I have my horse". I had to stop and think about that a while.
The story winds up being pretty standard stuff if you've seen any number of Autry films, or any assortment of B Westerns altogether. Big Jim Lassiter had his own brother killed to take over his estate, and his attempt to snooker Gene into cashing in on a fifty thousand dollar payday just wasn't going to work. When it ended, I was as puzzled by the closing scene as Gail Davis seemed to be. As Gene rides away, she reacts to a chorus of singers chiming in on the 'Whirlwind' song, even though there's no one else around. Maybe it was one of those dust devils.
Smiley Burnette joins Gene once again, this time working undercover as a mail order veterinarian; his wagon reads the 'Ailin' Animal Clinic'. Smiley proves to be quite the tough guy in the early going, managing to take on four or five Lassiter henchmen while Gene has his hands full with the Red Valley prosecuting attorney Wade Kimball (Harry Lauter). His fight scene is quite cleverly staged, as the bad guys continually miss their opportunity to bring him down, while Smiley puts a nearby water trough to good advantage.
Also on hand is pretty Gail Davis as Laine Lassiter, niece of the main villain. Her portrayal starts out as almost a heel role, but she warms up to Gene's serenading throughout the story. He offers a catchy little ditty in the early going, but if you listen to the words, they seem to be a little puzzling - "There ain't no lady gonna break my heart, as long as I have my horse". I had to stop and think about that a while.
The story winds up being pretty standard stuff if you've seen any number of Autry films, or any assortment of B Westerns altogether. Big Jim Lassiter had his own brother killed to take over his estate, and his attempt to snooker Gene into cashing in on a fifty thousand dollar payday just wasn't going to work. When it ended, I was as puzzled by the closing scene as Gail Davis seemed to be. As Gene rides away, she reacts to a chorus of singers chiming in on the 'Whirlwind' song, even though there's no one else around. Maybe it was one of those dust devils.