Keep 'Em Rolling (1934) User Reviews

The Original 'Warhorse'

[Better_Sith_Than_Sorry · 7/10 · 17 March 2020]

Plot in a Nutshell: A strong bond forms between a career Army man (Walter Huston) and his horse, seeing them through good times and bad.

Why I rated it a '7': While no masterpiece, the film is enjoyable enough for what it is. And it's augmented by the fact that it's loosely based on the story of a real Army horse, albeit from a previous war. The real horse, "Rodney," served in the Spanish American War of 1898 while this film is set during the Great War. Some dramatic license is taken in the film (specifically the cemetery scene towards the end) but overall it remains true to the spirit of the story - namely, that Rodney served his men with such grit, determination and fortitude, and for so long, that when the time came for him to retire, they were not ready to see him go. It's a nice testament to the idea that loyalty and gratitude are not always forgotten, even though war can be hell. Well done, Rodney, and RIP.

7/10 - Would I watch again? (Y/N) - Yes.

Good Movie About loyalty that the Defense Dept. Should Watch!

[MARKETEX1969 · 10/10 · 11 June 2006]

I really enjoyed this old hay-burner, literally that, about how a man and his horse manage to skirt the levels of military bureaucracy and support each other along the way.

In fact I believe that some crucial elements of the film would be instructive to the Department of Defense even today, if they get it. Walter Huston is excellent in the film in expressing the need for persons who have displayed valor but have been passed over in the sense of newer generations coming of age and discarding the ways of the past. This movie was filmed during the same period of time that also included the Bonus Marchers who camped outside in Washington D.C. to remark upon their needs as unemployed men during the depth of the depression for a promised bonus to World War I veterans. Their march was broken up by none other than General to be Douglas MacArthur in a controversial move which echoes down to the present time with similar controversy regarding retired workers in various industries.

The movie's events are contemporaneous with the actual events of "The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell" and verges on some of the events of that film but has a happier denouement and ending.

Maybe I was just susceptible to its message which found me at a time when I was looking for arguments with respect to current events of Haditha and other matters of how we conduct ourselves during the war in Iraq, but I think it would stand up on its own in any time with a timeless message and I recommend it highly.