In Old Caliente | 1939 | Western | Action | Adventure
Library last generated: 2026-01-08 14:23 LOCAL
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In Old Caliente (1939)
Director: Joseph Kane
Writer: Norman S. Hall (original screenplay)
Starring: Roy Rogers, Lynne Roberts, George "Gabby" Hayes, Jack La Rue
Runtime: 55 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Genres: Western, Action, Adventure
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🧾 Synopsis
Roy Rogers stars as a trusted ranch foreman who finds himself wrongly accused of murder after a ruthless land grab by scheming profiteers threatens to destroy the peace between Californio landowners and American settlers. With the help of his sidekick Gabby, Roy must expose the real villains, clear his name, and protect the heritage of Old California.
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🎭 Cast
Roy Rogers as Roy
Lynne Roberts as Dolores De Vargas
George "Gabby" Hayes as Gabby Whittaker
Jack La Rue as Carlos Montoya
Frank Puglia as Don José Vargas
Kenne Duncan as Henchman Steve
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🎞️ Production Notes
Filmed by Republic Pictures, known for their action-packed Western serials and early Roy Rogers vehicles.
The film features a number of traditional Mexican musical interludes, reflecting its California ranchero setting.
This movie was part of Roy Rogers' early transition from singing cowboy to full-fledged screen hero.
The setting mixes Spanish colonial aesthetics with standard Western tropes, creating a unique backdrop compared to more typical frontier towns.
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🧠 Trivia
George "Gabby" Hayes, a fan-favorite comic relief character actor, appears in one of his earliest recurring roles alongside Rogers.
Part of a long string of collaborations between Roy Rogers and director Joseph Kane, who helped shape Rogers' iconic screen persona.
The film features elaborate ranch estate sets and costumes that evoke old Spanish California, standing out among typical dusty Western towns.
Like many Republic Pictures films, it was designed for fast production and Saturday matinee release, yet still showcases strong production values for its budget.
One of the earlier examples of Westerns attempting to bridge cultural divides—in this case, between Anglo and Hispanic Californians.
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