The Big Sombrero
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Frank Mcdonald
Gene Autry
Champion
Elena Verdugo
Stephen Dunne
George J. Lewis
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
After cowboy Gene Autry pawns his guitar, he meets former rodeo sharpshooter Angie Burke, who is now working as a chaperon for wealthy ranch owner Estrellita Estrada. When Angie learns that Gene is out of work, she suggests that he ride across the border to El Sombrero Grande, Estrellita's ranch, which is managed by James Garland, an acquaintance from their days with Monahan's Wild West Show. At the ranch, Garland is in the process of forcing the rancheros, who rent part of the land, off the property. A fight breaks out just as Gene rides up, and he stops Garland from shooting the unarmed men. Later, Garland hires Gene to be ranch foreman and announces that he plans to marry Estrellita. On the way back to the ranch, Gene offers a ride to Luis Alvarado, Estrellita's godfather, and learns that he has been hired to replace Felipe Gonzales, who has worked on the ranch all his life. Although Gene does not want to displace Felipe, he decides to accept the job in order to help the rancheros, led by Juan Vazcaro, and hires Felipe as his translator. Gene's first action is to bring Estrellita, who is in the United States with Angie, back to Mexico. Despite Angie's attempts to stop them, Gene and Luis successfully kidnap Estrellita and drive her back to the ranch. Meanwhile, Garland plots to sell the ranch to Ben McBride. McBride is anxious for Garland to get rid of the rancheros before they can sell their cattle and pay their back rent, but Gene secretly organizes a cattle drive with the rancheros. As Gene and Juan ride to a meeting of the rancheros, they are shot at by Stacy, one of Garland's men. Gene and Juan capture him and then learn that the other rancheros are under attack. The rancheros are able to fight off Garland's men, but later Tico, a young boy, inadvertently reveals Gene's plans to Garland. Before the men leave on the cattle drive, Gene encourages Estrellita to take an interest in her ranch, but she is still eager to return to the United States. Garland and McBride ambush the rancheros at a mountain pass, and during the battle, Tico is killed. When the rancheros bring Tico's body back to the ranch, Garland professes his innocence, but Estrellita now knows his real intentions and orders him to leave the country. She then asks Gene to help her learn to care for the ranch. Much later, after Estrellita has absolved the rancheros' debts, Gene leaves Mexico, but promises to return soon.
Director
Frank Mcdonald
Cast
Gene Autry
Champion
Elena Verdugo
Stephen Dunne
George J. Lewis
Vera Marshe
William Edmunds
Martin Garralaga
Gene Stutenroth
Neyle Morrow
Bob Cason
Pierce Lyden
Rian Valente
Antonio Filauri
Sam Bernard
José Alvarado
Robert Espinoza
Cosmo Sardo
Alex Montoya
Jose Portugal
Joseph Palma
Crew
Mischa Bakaleinikoff
Henry Batista
Earl Bellamy
William Bradford
Dwight Butcher
Olive Cooper
Howard Fogetti
Ray Gilbert
Augustín Lara
Harold Macarthur
Louise Massey
Paul Mertz
George Montgomery
Percy Montrose
Charles Newman
Gene De Paul
Lee Penny
Don Raye
Armand Schaefer
Narcisco Serradell
Clifford Shank
Allie Wrubel
Film Details
Technical Specs
