Charro
Shooting began July 22, 1968 and completed late August 1968
Opened nationally March 13, 1969
Character: Jess Wade
Executive Producer: Harry Caplan
Producer: Charles Marquis Warren
Director: Charles Marquis Warren
Plot:
Jess Wade is a reformed badman, pitted against the members of his old gang. The gang is now led by Vince Hackett, who takes delight in terrorizing a small Mexican town. The gang has stolen from the town a gold-plated cannon that was used by Emperor Maximilian in his ill-fated fight against popular Mexican leader Benito Juarez. The gang's motive is to force a ransom from the town for the cannon, but the gang also uses the cannon to hold the townspeople at bay. Only Wade can save the people from his former gang.
Songs:
"Charro"-Sung over the opening credits.
Cast:
| Jess
Wade - Elvis Presley
Tracy Winters - Ina Balin Vince Hackett - Victor French Marcie - Lynn Kellogg Sara Ramsey - Barbara Werle Billy Rocy Hackett - Solomon Sturges Opie Keetch - Paul Brinegar Gunner - James Sikking Heff - Harry Landers Lieutenant Rivera - Tony Young Sheriff Dan Ramsey - James Almanzar Mody - Charles H. Gray |
Linge
- Rodd Redwing
Martin Tilford - Garry Walberg Gabe - Duane Grey Henry Carter - J. Edward McKinley Jerome Selby - John Pickard Will Joslyn - Robert Luster Christa - Christa Lang Harvey, the Bartender - Robert Karnes Bit Girls - Kathleen Darc, Jacqui Brandt, Megan Timothy Mexican Peon - Charlie Hodge |
Production Notes:
Principal photography took place near Apache Junction, AZ. Most of the filming took place in and around the Superstition Mountains. Interiors were done at MGM's Culver City studios.
Elvis stayed at the Superstition Inn outside of Phoenix while on location.
Costumes for Charro! were provided by the Bermans Costume Company.
Charro! was previewed in several Southern states before its general release. The states of Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana declared Charro! Day.
One title originally considered for Charro! was Come Hell, Come Sundown.
In twenty-five southwestern cities, "Charro girl" Contests were held to publicize the film. Finalists appeared in Dallas, and Austin. Texas Governor Preston Smith hosted a special Charro! salute in Austin in conjunction with the contest.
Advertising used lines such as "On his neck he wore the brand of a killer. On his hip he wore vengeance" and "A different kind of role...a different kind of man."
Charro! was the only movie in which Elvis wore a beard.
Trivia:
When frisked by Billy Roy Hackett in front of the cantina, Jess had six dollars in his billfold.
Charro! was set in 1870.
According to the wanted posters, Jess Wade was six-foot-two inches tall.
Dan Ramsey had been the sheriff of Rio Seco for twelve years.
Vince Hackett's fellow gang member Gunner was a former cannoneer in the Confederate army. According to Gunner, General Stonewall Jackson once said he was "the best-in front of the whole regiment, he said it."
In the novel, Charro! Jess Wade's horse was named Charlie. The horse was unnamed in the film.
Rio Seco provided the setting for Charro!
The Victory Gun was the Napoleonic, twelve-pound cannon covered with bronze, silver, and gold. The Victory Gun was the cannon that fired the last shot against Mexican ruler Ferdinand Maximilian, setting the country free from his rule. Vince Hackett and his boys stole the cannon from the Chapultepec Palace on July 8, 1870.
A reward of $10,000 was offered by the Mexican and American governments for the capture of Jess Wade.
The Victory Gun was estimated in value of $100,000.