Gene Autry left for Columbia. Roy Rogers was preparing to head off to television production. Republic tried to keep their inexpensive series of singing cowboy westerns going. For this one, they tried out Rex Allen, a real cowboy from Arizona with a penchant for singing traditional songs in a deep voice. They surrounded him with some good secondary talent, including Buddy Ebsen, ex-Goldwyn Girl Dorothy Patrick and short, funny Percy Helton as her father. The script, about a gold-stealing ring, is well done too.

The real standout is the cinematography by John MacBurnie; the Lone Pine never looked as good, and even the interior shots are nicely handled. Notice how MacBurnie turns a two-shot into a three-figure composition by use of shadows. This was one of the old pro cameramen who worked for Hal Roach in early sound days (he was DP of Laurel & Hardy's first talkie, UNACUSTOMED AS WE ARE) and then worked in B westerns and TV for the next thirty years. Definitely worth your time.

Spanish-language cinema across Spain and Latin America is united by its engagement with history, cultural identity, and social transformation. In Spain, films often balance artistic experimentation with popular genres while reflecting on memory, politics, and family. In Latin America, cinema has been deeply tied to questions of colonial legacy, resistance, and community resilience, ranging from intimate dramas to bold political allegories.

Ana Torrent in The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The music genre features stories showcasing musical performances, music-related documentaries and recordings of live concerts and music festivals.

Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)

The Western genre features stories set primarily in the 19th-century American Old West and often depict the rugged frontier life, exploring themes of individualism, justice, morality, and the clash between civilization and the untamed wilderness. The genre has its roots in the historical context of westward expansion and the challenges faced by pioneers, settlers, outlaws, and lawmen.

John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. in The Searchers (1956)

Rex Allen and Koko in Under Mexicali Stars (1950)

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Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Buddy Ebsen, Rex Allen, Percy Helton, Dorothy Patrick, and Koko in Under Mexicali Stars (1950)

Steve Darrell in Under Mexicali Stars (1950)

Roy Barcroft in Under Mexicali Stars (1950)

Percy Helton in Under Mexicali Stars (1950)

Dorothy Patrick in Under Mexicali Stars (1950)

Under Mexicali Stars

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