Rodeo Rhythm (DVD)

Kindly orphanage owner Tilley Knapp and her young charges plan on staging a rodeo to raise money for her brother Buck who stands to lose his ranch unless he makes immediate payment on the mortgage. Buck's daughter Ellen and family friend Jim Corey join the effort, which grinds to a halt when miserly mortgage holder Alex Twitchell seizes the ranch's assets. It falls to Tillie's rough-ridin' kids to save the day.

Filmed on location near Kansas City as a showcase for local impresario Roy Knapp's youthful "Rough Riders" troupe, Rodeo Rhythm marked the last screen appearance of popular singing-cowboy star Fred Scott, playing Buck Knapp. Most of the footage, however, consists of amazing equestrian stunts by the scene-stealing kiddies, who perform admirably under the able direction of Hollywood veteran Fred Newmeyer. -- Ed Hulse

• western