The Official Website of Gene Autry, America's Favorite Singing Cowboy

Fun Autry Fact:

In the late 1930s, Gene turned down an offer of $3,000 to endorse a brand of cigarette.

Film Info

The Big Sombrero

1949
Columbia Pictures
Production #: 893
80 minutes

Synopsis:
Gene Autry is hired as foreman at the vast Estrada Rancho in Mexico. The beautiful owner, Estrellita Estrada, has forsaken her country to live in a border town, so the ranch is managed by the shady James Garland, who attempts to evict the rancheros for non-payment of rent so that he can sell the ranch to Ben McBride. Gene befriends the rancheros and is asked by Estrellita's godfather, Luis Alvarado, to help bring her back to Mexico, which they do by force. Gene and the rancheros then decide to drive their cattle to market and McBride, learning of this from Garland, orders Gene bushwhacked and the rancheros' homes pillaged. Gene survives the attack and helps defeat the attacking vandals. McBride, knowing the route Gene is taking with the herd, blasts the hillsides of the pass, causing a landslide. The alert Gene saves men and cattle - except for young Tico, who is shot by McBride. Before he dies, though, the boy shoots and kills his murderer. Gene rides off with the knowledge that Estrellita, now embracing her heritage, will stay in Mexico, running the family ranch.

The Big Sombrero is one of two Gene Autry films shot in Cinecolor.

Cast:

Character: Performer:
Gene Autry Gene Autry
Estrellita Estrada Elena Verdugo
James Garland Stephen Dunne
Juan Vazcaro George J. Lewis
Angie Burke Vera Marshe
Luis Alvarado William Edmunds
Felipe Gonzales Martin Garralaga
Ben McBride Gene Stutenroth
Tico Neyle Morrow
Champion Champion

Songs:

YOU BELONG TO MY HEART Gene Autry, Studio Singers
I'M THANKFUL FOR SMALL FAVORS Gene Autry
RANCHO PILLOW Gene Autry, Extras
TRAIL TO MEXICO Gene Autry
DARLING CLEMENTINE Gene Autry
LA GOLONDRINA Gene Autry
MY ADOBE HACIENDA Gene Autry, Extras
GOODBYE TO OLD MEXICO Gene Autry

Crew:

A Gene Autry Production
Director Frank McDonald
Producer Armand Schaefer
Original Screenplay Olive Cooper
Director of Photography William Bradford
Art Director Harold MacArthur
Film Editor Henry Batista
Cinecolor Supervisor Clifford Shank
Set Decorator George Montgomery
Music Supervisor Paul Mertz
Musical Director Mischa Bakaleinikoff

Watch a Clip from The Big Sombrero: