Twilight on the Rio Grande (1947)

Gene and Pokie are on vacation in Mexico when they learn that their buddy Dusty has been bumped off.

Director:

Frank McDonald

Writers:

Dorrell McGowan (original screenplay), Stuart E. McGowan (original screenplay)

Stars:

Gene Autry, Champion Jr., Sterling Holloway

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Autry	...	Gene Autry
Champion Jr.	...	Champ
Sterling Holloway	...	Pokie
Adele Mara	...	Elena Del Rio
Bob Steele	...	Dusty Morgan
Charles Evans	...	Henry Blackstone
Martin Garralaga	...	Mucho Pesos
Howard Negley	...	Jake Short (as Howard J. Negley)
George J. Lewis	...	Captain Gonzales
Nacho Galindo	...	Torres
Tex Terry	...	Joe - Henchman
The Cass County Boys	...	Musicians / Ranch Hands

Storyline

In yet another version of probably Republic's most-used single plot---the basis for "The Leathernecks Have Landed"-"Rough Riders Round-Up", "Guns in the Dark", "Remember Pearl Harbor" and a couple of other films from Republic---and with revisions to fit the Autry mold, Gene Autry(Gene Autry) and his pals Dusty Morgan (Bob Steele) and Pokie (Sterling Holloway) are in Mexico where Dusty is killed. With the help of Elena Del Rio (Adele Mara), whose father has also been murdered by unknown assailants, Gene discovers that the killings tie in with a jewel-smuggling scheme.

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Plot Keywords:

actor shares first and last name with character | b movie | western band | western music | texas mexico border | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Music | Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the films included in "The Fifty Worst Films of All Time (and how they got that way)" by Harry Medved and Randy Lowell.

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Goofs

When Elena is throwing knives at Gene, you can see where the knives will pop out.

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Quotes

[first lines]
First Flower Girl: Welcome to the carnival, senor.
Gene Autry: Thanks. Viva Mexico!
Second Flower Girl: Viva United States!
Pokie: Yeah. Viva pretty girls!

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Connections

Version of Remember Pearl Harbor (1942)

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Soundtracks

Great Grand Dad
Written by Smiley Burnette

User Reviews

Highly anachronistic but enjoyable

This film is listed in Harry Medved's "Fifty Worst Movies" book but this really doesn't make sense, as it's a decent little B-western. I usually agree with Medved but this time the film isn't particularly bad, nor good--just a very typical programmer.

While much of the film doesn't make sense (such as the extensive use of phones and trucks in the West and a guy patronizingly named "Mucho Dinero"), the film is rather likable and is pretty indistinguishable from other Gene Autry films. The usual singing, light banter and adventure is all here, though I must admit the "action" was very, very muted. I guess Gene was getting older and exerting himself just wasn't in his contract! However, he did sing some lovely songs and I was surprised how much I enjoyed the title song--especially since I usually hate cowboy music! So is it a bad film or not? Well, it all really depends on your perspective. All of Autry's and Roy Rogers' films were pretty cheesy--with very simple plots, incredibly dumb sidekicks and lots of pointless singing. If you can't stand them, then this film is a "must avoid" film. However, if you like the genre, then it's pretty typical and well made compared to these films--though not the average non-B Western.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 April 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Conflito na Fronteira

Filming Locations:

Victorville, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

54 min (edited) 71 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1