South of the Border

Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette, along with the Checkerboard Band, are Federal agents sent down to a Mexican island, where revolution looms. Not only are they there to make sure that American interests in the oil wells and refinery are maintained, but a foreign country wants the island for a submarine base. Their contact is local rancher Frank Reicher. His son, Duncan Renaldo, is a member of the revolutionary army. Autry falls in love with the daughter of the house, Lupita Tovar.

With Europe at war -- although so far fighting had only broken out on the Eastern front -- the staff at Republic was already sounding the call for American for Americans, national preparedness, and friendship with Mexico. This movie shows that impulse. Of course, the real point of the movie is the title song, written for this movie, and played at the open, the close, and as incidental music throughout. Burnette sings a silly song; series regular June Storey gets a couple of tunes, including a western swing duet with Autry; and newcomer Mary Lee (in her first of nine appearances with Autry) gets a song for herself and a duet with Gene. Other familiar faces include Claire D Brey, William Farnum, and Queen of the Dress Extras Bess Flowers.