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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
John C. Higgins (screenplay)
John C. Higgins (story) ...
more
Release Date:
28 October 1949 (USA) more
Plot:
Mexican and American federal agents tackle a vicious gang exploiting illegal farm workers in southern California. full summary | add synopsis
NewsDesk:
TCM Tribute to Ricardo Montalban
(From Twitch. 18 January 2009, 9:59 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Sit Back, Relax, and call Taco Bell more (23 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Ricardo Montalban | ... | Pablo Rodriguez | |
| George Murphy | ... | Jack Bearnes | |
| Howard Da Silva | ... | Owen Parkson | |
| James Mitchell | ... | Juan Garcia | |
| Arnold Moss | ... | Zopilote | |
| Alfonso Bedoya | ... | Cuchillo | |
| Teresa Celli | ... | Maria | |
| Charles McGraw | ... | Jeff Amboy | |
| José Torvay | ... | Pocoloco (as Jose Torvay) | |
| John Ridgely | ... | Mr. Neley | |
| Arthur Hunnicutt | ... | Clayton Nordell | |
| Sig Ruman | ... | Hugo Wolfgang Ulrich | |
| Otto Waldis | ... | Fritz |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
94 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
USA:Approved (certificate #13741) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Goofs:
Continuity: Near movie's end, Pablo Rodriguez (Montalban) is almost fully submerged in quicksand. However, immediately upon being pulled out, he looks like he's had a shower; the quicksand that had been on his face and hair is completely gone. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema (2002) more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (23 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Border Incident (1949)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Available on DVD, but a film-noir? | famalberts |
| Death Scene of Jack Bearnes | richsass |
| Illegal immigration history... | bobshankjr-1 |
Recommendations
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| The Gold Racket | Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc. | Rose of the Rancho | Midnight Taxi | Radar Patrol vs. Spy King |
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Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section |
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This depiction of illegal border activity really illustrates the difference between what we thought was a serious problem in 1949 and what we know now is a much more serious problem. There is no mention of drugs or terrorism. The focus of this movie is the illegal practice of bringing in undocumented peasants from Mexico to work the farms and ranches of the Southwest. It tries very hard to show the brutality, greed, and complete absence of any human compassion on the part of the bad guys,seen in perspective today, it seems almost benign. We know now the bottomless depths these vermin will sink to in order to make a buck. We know that life today is worth less than it was then. Still, I think this is a worthwhile picture.
While watching this movie I was reminded again what a likable character George Murphy was. He plays the INS agent investigating this smuggling ring along with his Mexican counterpart played by Ricardo Montalban. They work well together - both in character and personally. They are surrounded by a despicable group of psychos that include Charles McGraw, Howard Da Silva, Arthur Hunnicut, and Alfonso Bedoya (Gold Hat from "Treasure of the Sierra Madre"). A good cast and a tense, suspense filled plot make this an enjoyable experience. My one major criticism is this mutual ass kissing we see between the "efficient" US and "incorruptable" Mexican federal cops. I may be wrong but I can't believe we ever have, or ever will enjoy that kind of cooperation.