Charro! * (1969, Elvis Presley, Ina Balin, Victor French, Barbara Werle) – Classic Movie Review 9264

Writer/ producer/ director Charles Marquis Warren’s boring 1969 Western film Charro! is one of the real low spots of Elvis Presley’s career.

Elvis plays Jess Wade, a one-time outlaw who is set up as the fall guy after a gem-coated big gun is stolen in Mexico by his former friends, the gang of Vince Hackett (Victor French).

Poor writing and weak direction from Warren ruin what is not even an interesting idea in the first place (based on a story by Frederick Louis Fox) and the acting is decidedly wooden.

Elvis only sings over the opening titles, the title number Charro! (words and music by Billy Strange and Mac Davis), though Hugo Montenegro’s music score is quite lively and effective.

It is Presley’s 29th film, going for a change of pace, with the advertised ‘A different kind of role, a different kind of man’.

Also in the cast are Ina Balin, Barbara Werle, Lynn Kellogg, Victor French, Solomon Sturges, James B Sikking, Paul Brinegar, Harry Landers, Tony Young, Rodd Redwing, Duane Grey, Garry Walberg, Charles H Gray, James Almanzar and John Pickard.

Charro! is directed by Charles Marquis Warren, runs 98 minutes, is made by National General Pictures, is released by National General Pictures (1969) (US) and Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors (1969) (UK), is written by Charles Marquis Warren (screenplay) and Harry Caplan, based on a story by Frederick Louis Fox, is shot by Ellsworth Fredericks (Technicolor), is produced by Charles Marquis Warren, is scored by Hugo Montenegro and is designed by James Sullivan.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9264

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