Harlem Rides The Range

Harlem Rides the Range is a captivating 1939 all-black, musical cowboy movie produced by Richard C. Kahn set against the backdrop of the wild American West. The leading star is the suave Herb Jeffries, a noted black singer of the time period, who also ventures into acting in this film, playing the role of Bob Blake, the heroic, singing cowboy. Supporting the lead are Lucius Brooks and F.E Miller, who deliver incredible performances that add depth and texture to the movie.

The movie kicks off portraying Bob Blake as a cowboy who roams the open landscapes of the West with his loyal horse Stardusk and his trusty dog, endearingly named "Fluff". Though initially coming across as a western film with cowboys and horse chases, the plot transgresses into a full-fledged mystery when Blake gradually gets entangled in a conspiracy to unmask a hidden treasure buried deep in the terrains.

The plot thickens when Blake crosses paths with saloon owner and villain, Jim, skillfully portrayed by Spencer Williams. Jim is on a relentless quest to uncover a valuable radium mine, which he understands to be hidden close to the ranch of an innocent and distressed rancher named Mary, played by Artie Young. Aware of the potential dangers that might confront Mary, Bob Blake takes the responsibility to protect her and her property.

Interspersed with comedy elements, the film introduces us to two characters Dusty and Slim, played by Lucius Brooks and F.E. Miller who steal the show with their colourful portrayals. Dusty and Slim provide the comic relief in the movie, quelling the dramatic tension to an extent and offering moments of laughter for the audience.

The movie twists into a detective story as Blake discovers a puzzling map that supposedly marks the spot of the hidden radium mine. With this discovery, the race is on, and Bob tries to decode the map before Jim and his henchmen can lay their hands on the valuable resources below. In this pursuit, Bob also aspires to restore peace and order to Mary's disrupted life.

Harlem Rides the Range subtly presents a stance against racial discrimination by transgressing the excluded African American cowboy from a subsidiary role usually assigned to them, to the level of a heroic protagonist. While the genre of black Westerns was not commonplace in the period the film was released, Herb Jeffries performance stands out as he dominates the screen with a range of skills from horse riding, roping, gun twitching, and most importantly, singing. His multiple talents are well exhibited throughout the course of the film.

Jeffries breaks into a song several times, highlighting the movie's undercurrent of melody and romance. His signature tune, "I'm a Happy Cowboy", which he croons in his stellar baritone voice, resonates with his character's positive and vivacious spirit. The consistent fusion of Western and musical genres complement each other nicely, and contribute to the charismatic screen presence of Jeffries.

The film is directed splendidly by Richard C. Kahn, who had a knack for successfully creating an intriguing fusion of different genres. The cinematography is commendable, capturing the raw, untamed beauty of the West, while the realistic sets and attires of the actors give an authentic feel to the era. The story, albeit simple, is narrated in an engaging, entertaining manner that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Harlem Rides The Range is no conventional cowboy film. It is an exciting array of cowboy antics with a classical mystery twist followed by the enhancing beauty of music led by the charismatic Herb Jeffries. The endearing performances by the entire cast, interspersed with comic relief, adds additional charm to this unique blend of genres. The depiction of a black cowboy as a noble hero was groundbreaking for the time, offering audiences a fresh perspective and challenging stereotypes in Western genre cinema.