The Gaucho

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Douglas Fairbanks was 44 when he made The Gaucho, one of his most thoughtful and visually rich adventures. As the lusty, live-for-today leader of a South American outlaw band preying upon small villages, he drives out a corrupt garrison from a holy mountain village (which seems to literally hang off the edge of a cliff by the grace of God) and takes over the town like a benevolent dictator. When a plague victim infects a wound of his, the impish roustabout becomes a brooding cloud of despair, until he's selflessly saved by the blessing of the fabled "Miracle Girl." As in The Thief of Bagdad, Fairbanks plays the repentant rascal, but one whose acrobatic antics and cigarette tricks mask a hard-living, hedonistic life: he smokes, drinks to excess, and lives in sin with the sexy Lupe Velez, and a sudden conversion isn't about to change a long life of debauchery overnight. Fairbanks hasn't slowed down a bit, leaping and cavorting with the same jaunty bounce and hearty laugh, but the dark undertones and surprising coda suggest the work of a mature artist rethinking his swashbuckling superhero image in light of his advancing years. Lushly designed and handsomely shot (by Tony Gaudio), The Gaucho is also one of the most gorgeous pictures of the silent era. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

An entertaining spectacle.......2007-02-13

Like just about all other Fairbanks films, this one too is a thrilling, exciting, gorgeous spectacle. Set in South America, it begins when a young girl falls off of a cliff and is miraculously cured by the pool of water she landed next to. She then sees the Virgin Mary appear from out of the side of the cliff, and all of the villagers are in awe of this sight. The girl then uses the water to heal a dying baby, and the locals are even more convinced that this place is really special. Ten years later, it has become a sacred shrine, similar to Lourdes, and an entire city has been built up around the shrine. Because of how many people regularly flock to it to be healed, the city is doing quite well for itself financially. Trouble arises when the evil Ruiz comes to town, takes over the city, confiscates all of the gold for himself, shuts down the shrine, has all of the city's beggars thrown into jail, and basically makes himself a totalitarian dictator with total power over everyone's lives. The hope of the people is the Gaucho, played wonderfully by Fairbanks, who was still looking amazing and able to do all of his trademark stunts, swashbuckling, and other physically demanding things at age forty-four. Most men should be that gorgeous and physically fit at that age. However, in spite of being an exciting story that's also got some beautiful sets and costumes, it's one of those films where the real meat of the story doesn't really kick into high gear for awhile. While I've never been bored watching one of Doug's films because of what an exciting performer he was (even if he wasn't technically an incredibly gifted actor), it would have been nice had the plot been established and got going a lot sooner instead of having to wait while only the characters were established before the plot was really established as well. His character also isn't incredibly sympathetic for most of the film; while he's certainly not evil and blackhearted like Ruiz, he also is a far cry from his earlier characters, such as Zorro, Robin Hood, and D'Artagnan, who cared about helping the less fortunate and fighting for justice, and who weren't obnoxious womanizing playboys. Doug's leading lady, a young Lupe Velez, is however one of his most interesting, as she takes a far more active role in the story than most of his other leading ladies did. She's far more than just the requisite love interest with little to do.

Included as a bonus feature is the bizarre 1916 short 'The Mystery of the Leaping Fish.' Doug plays a detective who is constantly shooting himself up with or snorting cocaine and opium, and who yet manages to solve all of his cases and be respected in spite of being a drug addict. Just about all of the other characters are on drugs as well, and almost not a moment goes by that someone isn't shooting up or having drugs shot into them by someone else. There's so much drug humor in this that it probably couldn't have even been made today, let alone still have been considered funny or appropriate in the modern era. People sure had a different idea of drugs back in the Teens, back before they were criminalised and considered automatically dangerous. It's certainly one of the most bizarre films one will ever hope to see. (One also wonders if the people who came up with the idea for this film were high on cocaine themselves!) Also included are excerpts from the original 1927 pressbook for 'The Gaucho.' Overall, it's a very nicely-presented disc (both prints are in wonderful shape and have wonderful musical scores), another great Kino release, even if it might not be the topmost ideal film to introduce a new fan to Fairbanks. Though he is great in the main feature, as always, the film itself could have used a bit more substance.

Fairbank's best silent film.......2005-09-16

People just don't make movies of this kind anymore. The closest recent film I can think of was the painfully horrible "The Three Amigos." There isn't anything in this movie that can be called original, avant-garde, or really even intelligent. All it has is a cheery exuberance, a desire to entertain with a well-used story formula told with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. That, and its two leading characters, played by Fairbanks and the sassy Lupe Velez, who gave a surprisingly good performance.

Fairbanks made many movies of this kind (I also recommend "The Black Pirate"), and it is unfortunate that his career in sound films had such a small output. He dominated every scene of "The Taming of the Shrew" - a movie that shows that there is more to his talent than a dashing grin and athletic stunts. "The Gaucho" is the best of his silent movies - recommended to anyone looking beyond just the recent past for good entertainment, and a must for anyone who likes silent movies period.

"The Mystery of the Leaping Fish" on this DVD is as funny and off the wall as anything I've ever seen - Spike Jonze couldn't have made anything wierder - but it lacks responsibility. The amount of cocaine and opiates imbibbed by Fairbanks's character over the course of the reel -- well, I suppose it won't be taken seriously.

Big, Exciting Film But Thematically Superficial.......2001-12-13

Film producer-star Douglas Fairbanks Sr. didn't merely craft eye-filling escapist films for audiences of the 1920s. Each film created a world unto itself with its own philosophy. Doug's 1927 hit, THE GAUCHO, came after a long string of swashbuckling epics that began with the relatively modest MARK OF ZORRO in 1920. Each subsequent film was really just a various on the ZORRO theme, some more obvious than others, most notably the sequel, 1925's DON Q, SON OF ZORRO. Bigger than ZORRO yes, but not particularly better.

Stunning audiences with his physical dexterity and acrobatic skill than would make Jackie Chan envious, Fairbanks astutely sensed the dangers of repeating himself. It has been said that he got the idea for making THE GAUCHO while visiting Lourdes in France, the site of a miraculous appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then too, Mary's repeated appearances in Fatima, Portugal only ten years earlier in 1917 was widely known. Fusing the elements of ZORRO with a religious theme, Fairbanks created a wonderful adventure that had more substance than his previous light-hearted adventures.

THE GAUCHO works best when Fairbanks is in his familar action element. For once, he choses a vivacious leading lady with Lupe Valez and they make an energetic team. More surprising is Doug's decision to play a Latin lover type, chain-smoking his way through the film, a decided departure from his earlier roles. Perhaps due to the death the previous year of Rudolph Valentino, the supreme Latin lover of films, Valentino successors began appearing in 1927 - even Ronald Colman was pressed into service in two or three elaborate swashbucklers opposite Valentino's former leading lady, Vilma Banky. THE GAUCHO seems to be Fairbanks' entry into the Valentino sweepstakes.

The opening prologue seems inspired by the Fatima appearance of Mary to a young girl who is unaffectingly played. But moving ahead ten years in the story, the girl, now an adult, seems more Hollywood than Fatima with her pencilled eyebrows and obvious wig. So too is Fairbanks' treatment of the miraculous when he contracts leprosy - but only on his left hand - and is cured surprisingly quickly by short visit to the shrine. Now seeing "the Light," Fairbanks posts the Ten Commandments on the front of the church proclaiming that they are the only law to live by. But his boastful manner suggests that he has not learned the lesson of humility and the film ends ambiguously over whether he has retained his outlaw ways. The treatment implies that Fairbanks' grasp of Christian theology was rather weak with Our Lady appearing a little too conveniently on cue. But, after all, this is a Fairbanks film. If we want true theology, we should watch a DeMille film (just kidding).

A Fun Fairbanks Film.......2001-11-02

The Gaucho is a fine Douglas Fairbanks vehicle, which shows his athleticism and charm to good effect. Fairbanks never claimed to be the greatest of actors. The variety of his expressions are somewhat limited. All he really does is laugh at danger. However he had a presence which is irresistible, a quality which draws the viewer to him. As the Gaucho, he plays a South American cowboy/outlaw, who turns into a sort of Zorro like liberator without the mask. He performs any number of great stunts, climbing walls, swinging through the trees like Tarzan and finding all sorts of ways of getting on and off a horse. Fairbanks also has a huge number of party tricks up his sleeve which are wonderfully enjoyable. He never seems to light a cigarette the same way, but performs this simple task with bravado and great skill. The leading lady in The Gaucho is "Mexican Spitfire" Lupe Velez. She grabs Fairbanks at the first opportunity and clings to him with great tenacity, fighting off any other female who comes within reach. She is very fiery, passionate and great fun to watch. One of her best scenes is a tango where she is literally joined to Fairbanks at the hip. The main villain of the piece is Gustav von Seyffertitz. He is always worth watching as he has a very unusual look and a sinister, creepy manner. Unfortunately he doesn't have as much screen time in The Gaucho as he might. It is also worth noting that Mary Pickford appears briefly as a vision of the Virgin Mary. Her cameo only lasts a few seconds, but what she does, she does well.

The black and white print of the Gaucho, on the Kino DVD, is very good. It is clear, sharp and bright and enables all the details of the fine sets to be seen easily. The musical score composed by Sydney Jill Lehman, is highly effective. It consists of South American style tunes which really fit the action. As a bonus the DVD includes an incredible Fairbanks short film from 1916. In The Mystery of the Leaping Fish he plays a detective who is constantly injecting himself with various drugs. He even apprehends the villains by drugging them with narcotics. This is a truly bizarre little film with some jaw dropping scenes which probably would be considered impossible, or at the very least tasteless to film today. This is a really good DVD showcasing one of the biggest of silent film stars. Fans of Fairbanks, or silent films in general, should not hesitate to get it.

BLACK DOOM IN THE ANDES.......2001-09-08

Douglas Fairbanks pretty much created and monopolized the dashing, confident, self-effacing movie action hero when movies were still young. In "THE GAUCHO," set high in the Andes, he plays an audacious, romantic, guerilla. He carries a sword, a gun and the Argentine bolos which he hurls with amazing skill. Shot in 1928 and based on an idea that Fairbanks claims he received when he visited the healing shrine at Lourdes, France, the story centers on the robbery of a mountain shrine that houses a young girl who has the power to heal. Fairbanks comes to the rescue and hunts down the bandits. In this lavish and beautiful action-packed comedy adventure, Fairbanks plays a roguish and unlikely hero that's a significant departure from the virtuous screen image he nurtured throughout his career. Here, he's a heavy drinker, carries on a decidedly carnal affair with the tempestuous Lupe Valez and falls victim to the fatal plague known as the Black Doom. A bonus feature on the DVD is the notorious Fairbanks starring 1916 coked-to-the gills cult film "The Mystery of the Leaping Fish."

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Los Gauchos Judíos
Starring: José Soriano , Gina Maria Hidalgo , Víctor Laplace , Luisina Brando , and Raúl Lavié
Director: Juan José Jusid
Manufacturer: Pelo Music
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ASIN: B00005TPLD
Release Date: 2002-03-12

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"Gene Autry B-Western Series ... Gaucho Serenade (1940) ... Image Ent."
Good fun
Modern Day Western

Gaucho Serenade
Starring: Gene Autry , Smiley Burnette , June Storey , Duncan Renaldo , and Mary Lee
Director: Frank McDonald
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000AINJG
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Customer Reviews:

"Gene Autry B-Western Series ... Gaucho Serenade (1940) ... Image Ent.".......2007-08-01

Republic Pictures present "GAUCHO SERENADE" (May 10, 1940) (68 mins/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- relive those thrilling days when the "First Singing Cowboy" Gene Autry took us down the dusty trails with hard riding and straight shooting hitting the bull's eye with excitement every time ... the Gene Autry series of B-Westerns were a staple of Saturday matinees in the 1930s and 1940s --- The Following Segments are from the "Melody Ranch Theater", which originally aired on the Nashville Network in 1987 --- Hosted by Gene and longtime sidekick Pat Buttram the program showcased many of Gene's classic motion pictures and featured personal anecdotes about how the films were made --- Information on costars and significant happenings in Gene's personal life and career. --- don't miss any of the Singing Cowboy's features loaded with action and songs that will leave you wanting more of Gene Autry's B-Western Adventures --- The sale of this DVD will further the educational and cultural mission of the renowned "Autry National Center in Los Angeles".

Under Frank McDonald (Director), Betty Burbridge (Screenwriter), Bradford Ropes (Screenwriter), Reggie Lanning (Cinematographer), Gene Autry (Songwriter), Smiley Burnette (Songwriter), James Cavanaugh (Songwriter), Mack Davis (Songwriter), Connie Lee (Songwriter), John Marvin (Songwriter), Sammy Mysels (Songwriter), John Redmond (Songwriter), Dick Sanford (Songwriter), Nat Simon (Songwriter), Tony Martinelli (Editor), William A. Berke (Associate Producer) - - - - our storyline has Gene and Smiley coming across a couple of Stowaways, two sisters running away from a wedding ceremony and a boy being chased by criminals --- boy running from mobsters who try to kidnap him to blackmail his father into not testifying against their boss --- Mary Lee and Joyce Storey play the engaging young heiress and younger sister on the lam from marriage and with Gene's help may get out of this with a few songs to spare- - - - some wonderful tunes "HEADIN' FOR THE WIDE OPEN SPACES" (Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette), "GIVE OUT WITH A SONG" (Mary Lee), "A SONG AT SUNSET" (Gene Autry and Mary Lee) "GAUCHO SERENADE Gene Autry and Cast" (WOOING OF KITTY MC FUTY" (Smiley Burnette) "THE SINGING HILLS Gene Autry), "KEEP ROLLIN' LAZY LONGHORNS" (Gene Autry, Mary Lee, Smiley Burnette, and Cast), "GAUCHO SERENADE" (Gene Autry and Cast) - - - - some Autry fun facts, Gene housed a personal collection of all of his films in a private vault located in his home.

the cast includes
Gene Autry ... Gene Autry
Smiley Burnette ... Frog Millhouse
June Storey ... Joyce Halloway
Duncan Renaldo ... Gaucho Don José
Mary Lee ... Patsy Halloway
Clifford Severn ... Ronnie Willoughby (as Clifford Severn Jr.)
Lester Matthews ... Frederick Willoughby
Smith Ballew ... Buck Benson
Joseph Crehan ... Edward Martin
William Ruhl ... Henchman Carter
Wade Boteler ... Rancher
Ted Adams ... E.J. Jenkins
Wendell Niles ... Radio Announcer
The Velascos ... Mexican Dancers
José Eslava's Orchestra ... Cantina Musicians (as Jose Estava's Orchestra)
Ralph Bucko ... Henchman
Fred Burns ... Cowhand
Ed Cassidy ... Customs Officer
Champion ... Gene's Horse
Jack Kirk ... Gas Station Attendant
Tom London ... Sheriff Tom Olson
Walter Miller ... George Blake
Al Taylor ... Deputy
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones ... New York City Pier Worker
Hank Worden ... Farmer Driving Jalopy

BIOS:
1. Gene Autry
Date of Birth: 29 September 1907 - Near Tioga, Texas
Date of Death: 2 October 1998 - Studio City, Los Angeles, California

Special footnote, Orvon Gene Autry was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television --- Discovered by film producer Nat Levine in 1934, he and Burnette made their film debut for Mascot Pictures Corp. "In Old Santa Fe" as part of a singing cowboy quartet; he was then given the starring role by Levine in 1935 in the 12-part serial "The Phantom Empire" --- Shortly thereafter, Mascot was absorbed by the formation of Republic Pictures Corp. and Autry went along to make a further 44 films up to 1940, all B westerns in which he played under his own name, rode his horse Champion, had Burnette as his regular sidekick and had many opportunities to sing in each film --- Autry became the top Western star at the box-office by 1937, reaching his national peak of popularity from 1940 to 1942. His Gene Autry Flying "A" Ranch Rodeo show debuted in 1940 --- Gene Autry is the only celebrity to have five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one in each of the five categories maintained by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce --- Radio, Films, Recordings, Television and Live Theater.

2. Smiley Burnette (aka: Lester Alvin Burnette)
Date of Birth: 18 March 1911 - Summum, Illinois
Date of Death: 16 February 1967 - Encino, California

Second special footnote, Lester Alvin (Smiley) Burnette an American singer-songwriter who could play as many as 100 different musical instruments, was a successful comedy actor in Western films over three decades --- The popularity of Burnette's Frog Millhouse character, with his trademark floppy black hat, was such that when Autry left for World War II service he did sidekicks duties with Eddie Dew, Sunset Carson and Bob Livingston, plus nine other films with Roy Rogers. After leaving Republic Pictures in 1944, Burnette became the sidekick to Charles Starrett at Columbia Pictures in the long Durango Kid series. Starrett starred in the series from 1944 until 1952, and that pairing resulted in more than 50 films. After the Starrett series was over, Burnette joined Autry for his final six films, all released by Columbia Pictures in 1953.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Reminiscing with Gene Autry and Pat Buttram at the "Melody Ranch Theater"
2. "Don't Touch That Dial", Gene Autry is on the air - excerpts from the Original "Melody Ranch Radio Show"
3. Production and Publicity Stills
4. Horseplay
5. Poster and lobby Card Art
6. Trivia and Movie Facts
7. Original Press Kit Material

Check out a new book from Empire Publishing - "GENE AUTRY WESTERNS" (Hardcover) - by author Boyd Magers, like no other book on Gene Autry --- all of Gene's Mascot, Republic and Columbia westerns included, as well as his half-hour TV Episodes --- each segment contains the release date on each film ... major production credits ... complete cast (including character played) ... all songs included, songwriter and who performed them in the film ... running time of each film ... dates of the filming ... bios on the cast and major players (Smiley, Pat Buttram, Cass County Boys, Herbert J. Yates, directors, leading ladies, songwriters and various heavies, etc.) ... locations that were used ... budgets and negative cost ... stunt people involved ... analysis and synopsis on each film ... notes and comments (including film and cast background info, salaries paid, working titles, etc) ... comments from Gene and many other cast members on each film ... theater exhibitors comments at the time of the films release ...this tribute was written from the heart and it shows.

Hats off and thanks to Les Adams (collector/guideslines for character identification), Chuck Anderson (Webmaster: The Old Corral/B-Westerns.Com), Boyd Magers (Western Clippings), Bobby J. Copeland (author of "Trail Talk"), Rhonda Lemons (Empire Publishing Inc), Bob Nareau (author of "The Real Bob Steele") and Trevor Scott (Down Under DVD Com) as they have rekindled my interest once again for Film Noir, B-Westerns and Serials --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era of the '20s, '30s & '40s and B-Westerns ... order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- stay tuned once again for top notch action mixed with deadly adventure --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Image Entertainment where they are experts in releasing B-Westerns --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 68 min on DVD ~ Image Video #3990 ~ (9/30/2003)

Good fun.......2003-12-25

Videohound, which I usually trust, gives Gene Autry's movies low ratings. I'm sorry if they're not "sophisticated" enough for them. They're missing out. Gene and Smiley transport a British kid to his felon father. Along the way they run into cuties June Storey and Mary Lee. June Storey is beautiful as always and plays one feisty character. This was the first movie I've ever seen Mary in and I was captivated by her. She has such a beautiful voice. The only bad element in this flick was the kid actor. He got on my nerves quick. The song which Smiley and Gene share is so catchy. I played it three times.

Modern Day Western.......2001-01-27

Gaucho Serenade is one of the sometime typically unusual Autry westerns by the fact that when you see Autry for the first time he is riding in a car pulling a horse trail. This one is comedy at it's best with Smiley Burnette, Mary Lee and June Storey as his sidekicks. From cars running into rivers, to catching a speeding locamotive with his trusty horse Champion. For those who have never seen this movie be aware that Autry did do most of his own stunt work and fight scenes. It really is Autry climbing on board this locamotive with Champion fearlessly running beside him. If you purchase this movie you will see American Favorite Cowboy and Hero help a small boy find his father, clear his father who was framed and take down a crooked cattle buyers conglomerate and then as usual gets the girl in the process. This is a FIVE star movie. Buy It!

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Delcio Tavares: Italo Gaucho
Starring: Delcio Tavares
Manufacturer: Msi Music
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000BP2Y9O
Release Date: 2005-10-17

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Italo Gaucho
Starring: Delcio Taveres
Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000GAKR8E
Release Date: 2005-12-20

Average customer rating:

EL CABALLERO GAUCHO "VIDA Y OBRA"

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

1 VIEJO FAROL 2 ALMA DE MUJER 3 VIEJO JUGUETE 4 CUANDO LLORA UN HOMBRE 5 LA LEY DEL TALION 6 LUTO EN EL ARRABAL 7 OTRO TRAGO 8 AMOR INDIO 9 ESOS TUS OJOS NEGROS 10 CUANDO TE CONOCI 11 MI MALA ESTRELLA 12 LEJOS DEL TAMBO 13 SOLO FALSIA 14 EL ROSARIO DE MARFIL 15 ETAPA FINAL 16 FLOR DE BULEVAR 17 AMORES DE ARRABAL 18 CUANDO LLORA MI GUITARRA 19 NO TE VAYAS GOLONDRINA 20 DOS MENDIGOS 21 DOCUMENTAL CON ... 22 GALERIA DE FOTOS

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