Review(s): DVD Gene Autry Collection - South of the Border
Singing Cowboy Scuttles Subs and Spies
One of the most interesting concepts used by the "B" movie westerns of several production companies in the 1930s,40s, and 50s (notably Mascot and Republic) was the juxtaposition of the Old West shoot-em-up with 20th century gangsterism or espionage. Numerous Republic western features and serials go this route successfully, among them the Roy Rogers sabotage thriller "King of the Cowboys", and the Sammy Baugh nazis-in-a-zeppelin serial "King of the Texas Rangers". Without doubt one of the best of these is this 1939 Gene Autry vehicle. It is a great blend of romance, action, comedy,adventure, and intrigue, with perfectly proportioned doses of each. Well acted throughout, it is a story that casts Autry as a U.S. government undercover agent (as is "Frog Millhouse"???) sent "Southof the Border" into Old Mexico...and to the offshore oil producing island of "Palermo"...to thwart the efforts of a cell of foreign agents (Nazis by implication), who are trying to overthrow the local government and push through the rights to the use of a harbor considered ideal for submarine operations "in the event of war". Needless to say, Gene & Frog don't think this a good idea and proceed to bring these conniving baddies to heel. In the meantime Gene manages to fall in love with a beautiful Mexican girl whose brother (played by the wonderful Duncan Renaldo) has fallen in with the spy gang, and leads a good-bad-guy/bad-good-guy life deluding himself that he is a great patriot and that his "friends" will set him up as "El Presidente" of a new republic "after the revolution". Of course he pays for this foolishness with his life. There are good songs in this movie, and a great duet on one of them, "Goodbye Little Darlin'", by Autry and teenage singing star of the period, Mary Lee. And, of course, there is the title song, a classic standard. It was introduced by Autry in 1939 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Response was ecstatic and a record was cut and issued immediately to huge sales. Herbert Yates at Republic snapped up the rights and put it into film production almost immediately. The story line of the movie incorporates the story line of the song and fills it out in context. It reveals that the reason Autry failed to keep his rendezvous with his inamorata was this sudden secret mission. And the "veil of white by candlelight" is her way of seeking atonement for her brother's treachery and disgrace to her family. This last element makes for a poignant ending to the film that lifts it far above typical B-western con-ventions. Autry returns heavy hearted from his last view of his sweetheart, and rejoins Frog, Mary Lee, and yet another young woman who has fallen for him (and who obviously relishes his return) for a farewell ride out of Mexico. The restoration of this film on the DVD is excellent. The photography is marvelous and the sound superb (giving one a clear hearing of both the music AND the crisp,trademark bark of a Republic gunshot). The stuntwork, as would be expected, is first rate, in particular a sequence involving chasing oil trucks on a back road on horseback, overtaking them...and then taking OVER them. Smiley Burnette even looks like an "action man" (or his double does) in this sequence. The musical orchestrations are, as to be expected with Republic, first rate. All in all, a real goody. If you are into westerns, and especially into Republic "B" outputs, don't pass "South of the Border" by. Pop it in the player, grab your popcorn and ENJOY!
An Autry Classic !
1939 was an incredible year for movies, even the so-called "B movies". Many consider "South of the Border" to be the absolute peak of Gene Autry's Republic films. It was a huge hit, and it is no accident that several other Autry films are set in Mexico.
At this point in his career, Gene's popularity was so great that he ranked with the top "A movie" stars at the box office, like Clark Gable, Mickey Rooney and Spencer Tracy--not bad for a singing cowboy ! In this film, Gene never looked better, singing the famous title song, and other numbers as well. He receives fine support from long-time sidekick, Smiley Burnette, Duncan Renaldo ( later, TV's "Cisco Kid" ), two lovely leading ladies, June Storey and Lupita Tovar, and that incredible bundle of teenage talent, Mary Lee.
Except for the charisma and star quality of Gene himself, Mary Lee--at least to this reviewer--steals this movie. She was, as they say, a "natural"--a good actress, had a sparkling personality and a terrific singing voice that would have given even Judy Garland a run for her money ! It will always be a mystery to me why Mary Lee--in an age where musicals were so popular--did not become a major star. At least we have her performance in this film--and several other Autry titles--to enjoy.
The plot here is a strange mix of romance, comedy, spies, revolutions, submarines--but with Gene and his co-stars on hand, you really don't care if everything makes sense--you are having too much fun !
The 64-year old film has been restored beautifully--another winner from Image. If you like Gene Autry and musical westerns, this DVD should have a place of honour in your collection.
Related DVD's Gene Autry Collection - South of the Border
In fact, Gene Autry was a huge favourite outside the USA too--there are Autry fans all over the world, even into the 21st century. From 1935 to 1953, except for during World War II when he signed up to serve his country, Gene starred in a series of western movies that delighted young and old. His films for Republic Pictures between 1935 and 1946, blended action, comedy, music and even a little romance--a combination that many found irresistable and made "The Singing Cowboy" a major box office star. In 1946, Gene signed on with Columbia, making films that still made good use of his musical talent, but that were more mature, with stronger plot-lines.
Of course, "Rovin' Tumbleweeds" is a Republic production, and while it is not in a class with "South of the Border", "Goldmine in the Sky"... More Info about this DVD Director(s): George Sherman DVD Release Date: Released the 25 March 2003 Usually ships within 2 to 3 days
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THIS WAS THE LAST MOVIE THAT GENE AUTRY MADE BEFORE ENLISTING TO FIGHT IN THE WAR. IT HAS A VERY GOOD STORY LINE AND ENDS WITH A FINAL PLEA TO AMERICAN PEOPLE TO STAND BY THEIR COUNTRY WITH THE SONG "DON'T BITE THE HAND THAT'S FEEDING YOU". GENE AUTRY WAS A VERY PATRIOTIC PERSON AND HE BELIEVED IN DOING THE RIGHT THING. THAT'S WHY HE ENLISTED, WHEN HE DID NOT HAVE TO. FOR A GOOD LOOK AT THE PERSONALITY OF AMERICA'S GREATEST SINGING COWBOY, AND POSSIBLY THE GREASTEST COWBOY THAT EVER LIVED, WATCH THIS MOVIE. FROM ALL ACCOUNTS HE WAS THE SAME OFF THE STAGE AS ON. "THE BELLS OF CAPISTRANO" JUST GIVES YOU A GLIMPSE OF THAT GREAT PERSONALITY. HE WAS TRULY A GREAT PERSON. More Info about this DVD Director(s): William Morgan DVD Release Date: Released the 29 July 2003 Usually ships within 24 hours
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The title speaks for it self More Info about this DVD Director(s): Lew Landers DVD Release Date: Released the 20 January 2004 Usually ships within 24 hours
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This movie was a classic western musical. It had the talents of lovely Ann Miller, famous dancer, the fabulous comedy of Jimmy Durante and Gabby Hayes and of course the sweet voice of young Mary Lee. Gene, a radio star, returns to his home town of Torpedo as honorary sheriff for a day and winds up running for a permanent place as sheriff. The bad guys were ruling the town and Gene had to stop them. This was classed as a musical because of the many songs and dance routines, but it was also a classical Autry action movie as only he could make..If you have never been an Autry Fan or seen any of his movies this is the one to start with....Strangly enough, this is the very one that made this Autry collector fall in love with the life and legacy of Gene Autry and I have been collecting since... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Joseph Santley DVD Release Date: Released the 20 May 2003 Usually ships within 24 hours
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