Charro! (1969)

Vince Hackett's gang steals a prized victory canon from Mexico and blames the deed on ex-gang member Jess Wade who wants to go straight.

Director:

Charles Marquis Warren

Writers:

Charles Marquis Warren (screenplay), Frederick Louis Fox (story)

Stars:

Elvis Presley, Ina Balin, Victor French

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elvis Presley	...	Jess Wade
Ina Balin	...	Tracey Winters
Victor French	...	Vince Hackett
Barbara Werle	...	Sara Ramsey
Solomon Sturges	...	Billy Roy Hackett
Lynn Kellogg	...	Marcie
Paul Brinegar	...	Opie Keetch
Harry Landers	...	Heff
Tony Young	...	Lt. Rivera
James Almanzar	...	Sheriff Ramsey
Charles H. Gray	...	Mody
John Pickard	...	Jerome Selby
Garry Walberg	...	Martin Tilford
Duane Grey	...	Gabe
Rodd Redwing	...	Lige

Storyline

Jess Wade is falsely accused of having stolen a cannon from the Mexican revolutionary forces. He tries to find the real culprits, a gang of criminals.

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Plot Keywords:

gang of outlaws | gang | arizona territory | charro | brand | 

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Taglines:

On his neck he wore the brand of a killer... On his hip he wore vengeance.

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

13 March 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

Come Sundown, Come Hell

Filming Locations:

Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$3,270,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

National General Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Promotions for this film included 25 Southwestern cities which held "Charro Girl" contests, with finalists appearing in Dallas and Austin. In Austin, "Charro! Day" was hosted by the then Governor Preston Smith. Likewise, the governors of Oklahoma and Louisiana declared "Charro! Day" in honor of previews in their states. A number of actors from the film traveled to appearances at these sneak previews.

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Quotes

Billy Roy Hackett: You lost your chance at me, Marcie. Girlie, I take what's warm and close.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The Early Years (1955-1970) (2000)

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Soundtracks

Can Can
(uncredited) from "Orpheus In The Underworld"
Written by Jacques Offenbach
Played in the saloon

User Reviews

Third and passable Western for Elvis Presley and in Italian style

Jess Wade (Elvis Presley in a straight role , being the only character in which he wears beard) is a reformed outlaw confronting against the members of his old band . The violent band is commanded by Hackett (Victor French of House of prairie) and the hoodlums are Gunner (James B Sikking, future TV star) and his brother Billy (Salomon Sturges, son of famed director Preston Sturges), among others . The gang has robbed from a little town a gold-plated cannon which was used by Emperor Maximilian in his failed battle against popular Mexican revolutionary Benito Juarez . Only Jess Wade can save the town people and his previous girlfriend (Ina Balin , in one of her few movie roles) from his former bunch .

Elvis in a different kind of role , his third Western after 'Love me Tender' and 'Flamingo Star' ; being shot on location at the Apacheland Movie Ranch . Here was given a new opportunity to prove himself as a serious actor and represented a radical departure for him . He considered an important feature and it's indicated by the choice of supporting cast and director . Elvis did agree , exceptionally , to sing the title credits , but there are no songs within the body of the movie . Elvis sports a scruffy beard and a gritty look whose model was obviously the Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western . Jess Wade character is costumed similarly to Clint Eastwood's 'Man with no name'. Both wore beard , dust-covered and kept a tough demeanor with a cigar in their mouths . Many of the movie's crew and some members of the Memphis friends grew beards to match Elvis's while the picture was in production . Even Colonel Parker , Elvis's manager , grew his beard .

The motion picture was shot on location in and around Arizona's Superstition mountains . Although the film provided Elvis with one of his opportunities to play tough roles , the movie's producers were nervous about the reaction of fans . However , the film was a modest hit and had awful critiques , it was not particularly well received by the legions of Elvis Presley fans who were disappointed by the lack of musical numbers . In fact , this is the only movie in which Elvis doesn't sing , the only song is the one during the titles . Unfortunately , the picture was a dismal critical flop , much of the blame was placed at the feet of director Charles Marquis Warren . Being final film for this director . He was screenwriter, producer and director for Charro , and had previously directed several successful Westerns for cinema and television .