The Big Sombrero

Gene's got Columbia studio backing here, which means a bigger budget than usual. In fact the 80-minutes run-time, including Technicolor and good production values, puts this feature in a B-western category instead of Gene's usual matinée format.

The plot's more complex than usual, with Gene switching sides in a struggle over ranchero land in Mexico. At first, he's unknowingly on the side of the baddies until he finds out the true score. Then too, catch the climax with the guy just driving off (without my telling too much)—very unusual for Gene's movies. So, all in all, you can see Columbia was trying to stretch the matinée formula.

Not much fast shooting, but some good hard riding. Highlights include, an impressive cattle herd, lots of colorful desert scenery, and Gene warbling the catchy 'My Adobe Hacienda'. But most of all, a really spirited Elena Verdugo as Senorita Estelita who pretty much steals the show, unlike most matinée leading ladies. Anyway, it's not among Gene's best, but does have more than its share of compensations.