The Trumpet Blows
Cast & Crew
Stephen Roberts
George Raft
Adolphe Menjou
Frances Drake
Sidney Toler
Edward Ellis
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Mexican bandit Pancho Gomez, who is assumed dead, survives in Corrales, Mexico as wealthy rancher Señor Montes. The bandit spent his life robbing the rich to give to the poor, who still honor his grave on All Saints Day. Eager to share his ranch with his kid brother, Manuel Montes, Pancho invites him to Mexico after he completes his American education and arranges for him to marry Carmela, the homely daughter of the prominent Ramirez family. When beautiful Spanish dancer Chulita arrives to perform at Manuel's graduation party, they fall quickly in love and spend the night together. Near dawn, Pancho confesses to Manuel his intention to propose to Chulita that morning, and Manuel runs away with his trainer Chato to become a bullfighter. Pancho is convinced that Manuel lacks the courage it takes to be a bullfighter as he was gored as a child, and disowns his brother. Chulita rejects Pancho's proposal and follows Manuel, but he rebuffs her in order to remain loyal to his brother. Manuel becomes a successful matador and is scheduled to fight at the Fiesta of Corrales, where Chulita will make her final appearance before returning to Spain. Pancho arrives at the hotel to be reconciled with Manuel and finds Chulita in his arms. He then accuses Manuel of being spineless for not admitting his love for Chulita and dares him to fight a real bull. At Corrales, Manuel finally is gored, but Chato insists the experience will build his strength and sets up a fight in Mexico City. Manuel's fear drives him to drink, and Chulita forces him to choose between her and bullfighting. He chooses the fight and she goes to Pancho to beg him to change Manuel's mind. That night a robbery is committed and Pancho Gomez, whom some believe still lives, is blamed. Chulita realizes Montes is Gomez and tells him he cannot come to Mexico City or he will be caught. To prove his courage, Pancho goes with Chulita to Manuel and admits he is the bandit. Manuel antagonistically dares Pancho to attend the fight, where he kills the bull in honor of Pancho Gomez and reveals his brother's identity. As the police take Pancho away, Manuel is gored and Pancho runs into the ring to save him. Manuel gets up to usher his brother out of the ring, then kills the bull. Pancho's usually dim-witted companion cunningly announces that the real bandit can only be identified by a tattoo on his arm. When Pancho reveals an unmarked arm, he is exonorated. Manuel promises to retire from bullfighting in order to join Pancho on the ranch.
Director
Stephen Roberts
Cast
George Raft
Adolphe Menjou
Frances Drake
Sidney Toler
Edward Ellis
Nydia Westman
Katherine De Mille
Lillian Elliott
Douglas Wood
Francis Mcdonald
Morgan Wallace
Gertrude Norman
Speed Hansen
Howard Brooks
E. Alyn Warren
Joyce Compton
Charles Stevens
Hooper Atchley
Al Bridge
Crew
Porter Emerson Browne
Bartlett Cormack
Hans Dreier
Harry Fischbeck
W. B. Ihnen
Albert Lewis
Harold Lewis
Ralph Rainger
J. Parker Read Jr.
Leo Robin
Wallace Smith
Roberto Turnbull
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The title of Porter Emerson Browne and J. Parker Read, Jr.'s story was "Return of the Bad Man." According to a news item in Hollywood Reporter, Lynn Starling was originally set to write the screenplay, and Mitchell Leisen was set to direct. Hollywood Reporter announced on August 22, 1933 that Helen Twelvetrees had replaced Miriam Hopkins; later, Twelvetrees was also replaced. On November 2, 1933, Hollywood Reporter announced that Adrienne Ames, who had been signed for the second female lead, had been pulled for unknown reasons. According to Variety, the bullring scenes were edited out for the U.S. screenings of this film and were re-installed for screenings in Latin countries.
