7cb1d79195 When cowboy star Tom Ford disappears, Wilson gets his double Gene Autry to impersonate him. But Ford owes gangster Rico $10,000 and Rico arrives to collect. He fails to get the money but learns that Autry is an impersonator and now blackmails Wilson and his movie studio.
Movie cowboy Tom Ford, star of Mammouth Film Productions, goes on vacation before Wilson, studio publicity man, can notify him that he is to make a personal appearance at the 1936 Texas Centennial celebration in Dallas. Unable to locate Ford,the desperate Wilson substitutes Fords exact-double and stunt man,Gene Autry. Gene goes along only to help Wilson out but wants to reveal his true identity throughout the hoax. Enroute to Dallas, Gene's car and trailer collide with the cattle truck of Marion Hill, turning lose a herd of steers she is hauling for show purposes. Gene unloads his horse Champion and rounds up the cattle. Gene, still posing as Ford and singing over the radio (although Ford is not a singer) is a sensation. Ford hears a broadcast and is peeved and threatens to sue the studio. Meanwhile, a group of blackmailers (in snappy-brim hats and double-breasted suits) demand $25,000 from the studio to keep quiet about hoax. Things work out okay after six or seven songs.
A lot of fun as long as you're not expecting a traditional formula Western. There're more imaginative set-ups in this Republic oater than in most A-pictures. Catch the Light Crust Boys as they roll down the road, or the talking horse a couple decades before Mr. Ed, or a mustachioed Gene acting mean and nasty. No, there's no real plot, but the pace is brisk from one lively set-up to the next. And whose great idea was it to film at the new Texas state fair, a backdrop like no other. Those live panoramas are a taste of big screen pageantry before the big screen. All in all, it's a great little peek at popular history and Art Deco. Then too, catch the clever little spoof of movie-making and tyrannical studio heads. I love the movie love scene that immediately becomes a hate scene once the cameras stop rolling. I guess my one complaint is with the movie as a driver's manual-- Driving down the wrong side of a two-lane highway is not, I repeat Not, a good way to deliver lunch. Anyway, the diverse story elements are neatly combined into a highly entertaining 71 minutes, programmer or no programmer. Thanks Western Channel and Autry Enterprises for the full restoration.
The Big Show is about the most enjoyable to watch of all his movies for several reasons: One, Mr. Autry plays a double role. Two, there is a lot of clever stunt work, including the famous under the coach and handover hand to the horses stunt. Three, The Big Show has a very different plot from the usual Autry Western. Four, The Big Show contains some very listen-able songs. Five, it is really fun to see Roy Rogers when he was still with the Sons of the Pioneers as Leanard Slye. Six, it is also fun to see behind the scenes of movie making, with some back views of the Republic lot. Seven, since this is an earlier Autry entry, Smiley Burnett is Mr. Autry's side kick rather than Pat Butram. Eight, it is exciting to see the Texas Centennial Celebration as a background. All in all, this is one is really fun.