Customer Reviews

Big Show [VHS]

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Gene Autry made 93 films from 1935 to 1953. Of all these films he always played himself except for "Shooting High" which was not a Republic Picture but a Paramount Picture co-starring Jane Withers. This is a rare film in that he Plays a dual role, Tom Ford, the actor and Gene Autry, the stunt man. Both have entirely different personalities. The only other film that Autry ever played two rolls is "Rim of the Canyon" in which he plays His Father and Himself. If you are a collector, this is one that should be in your collection. It has a great story line with the typical Smiley Burnette comedy. A touch of drama, in which while on stage Champion fakes a broken leg and Gene lovingly sings "Old Faithful" to him, which brings down the house. As usual Gene plays hero, gets the bad guys and the girl in the end. All in all a light hearted Autry classic.

While you might discount this as a typical "Singing Cowboy" movie, typical of the early Gene Autry types, this might be of interest from a historical point of view in containing many scenes showing how Fair Park in Dallas appeared during the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition, something of a typical World's Fair in the Depression years. Acting varies from the hammy to actually not bad. Some of the usual action scenes. Overall, interesting, with some fairly good songs. Look for an unknown guitar player, Leonard Slye, with the "Sons of the Pioneers".....better known in later years as Roy Rogers.

Although you might consider this just another Gene Autry "Singing Cowboy' Movie, "The Big Show" has a lot of history in the scenes showing making movies, 1936 vintage cars and trucks,movie equipment, etc. There are some good scenes along Texas highways, and of course most of the action was filmed at the 1936 (Dallas) Texas Centennial Exposition. Some very good footage of "The Cavalcade of Texas" included most of the finale on "the world's largest outdoor stage". Some romantic interest with Kaye Hughes . Comic with Smiley Burnette, William Newell, Charles Judels, Max Terhune and"Elmer Sneezeweed." An unknown guitar with "Sons of the Pioneers" .....Roy Rogers is seen. Other numbers by "The Light Crust Doughboys" and "The Jones Boys". Not a bad western, but more of a "1936 Time Capsule" for the history buff