SAN ANTONIO

US, 1945, 109 minutes, Colour.
Errol Flynn, Alexis Smith, S.Z. Sakal, John Litel, Florence Bates.
Directed by David Butler.

San Antonio is a big colourful western from Warner Bros. of the mid 40s. It is the type of movie usually directed by Raoul Walsh or Michael Curtiz. This time it is by David Butler, better known for his comedies and musicals. The film is an Errol Flynn- Alexis Smith star vehicle and they work well with each other. The supporting cast includes many of the Warner Bros. regulars. The film is colourful in its presentation of the town, its presentation of law and order issues and gives Alexis Smith a chance to sing. Nothing particularly new - but entertaining in the golden years of Hollywood style.

1. Entertaining big western of the 40s? Colourful?

2. Warner Bros. production values? Colour photography, the west? Musical score and songs?

3. The title, the focus, the issues of Texas in the 19th century?

4. Clay, in Mexico, in hiding, his friends, persuaded to go back to San Antonio? The cattle? His shrewdness in getting back, accompanying the singer in the coach? Attracted to her - and her later realising the truth? In the town, the support of Charlie? The clashes with the saloon keeper, with the villains and the gun shooters? The intricacies of life in the town, confrontations, the final shoot out? The romance?

5. The singer, the lady entertainer in the west, her entourage? In the coach, with Clay, attracted? Finding out the truth? work in the town, the romance, the rivals? Helping Clay, the ultimate romantic ending?

6. The singer’s entourage, Florence Bates as the haughty Grand Dame, the comic touches? S.Z.Zackal and his usual bewilderment, managing the singer? Out of place in the western town?

7. Clay's friends, Charlie and the other supporters? Helping him into San Antonio, in the confrontations? The murders?

8. The villains, suave and wealthy, manipulating behind the scenes? The sinister presence in the town? The gunfighters? The expected confrontations - and the triumph of the hero over the villains?

9. The popular ingredients of the western, the western hero, heroine, villains? Law and order in the Texas towns of the 19th century?