User Reviews

If I had a shot of tequila every time that Leo Carrillo says that in this movie, I don't think I'd ever sober up. This third film version of the play "The Dove" (previously filmed under that title in 1927, remade in 1932) has been greatly cut down to an hour, and has Carrillo showing more silliness than romance as a bandit who insists that he can voluntarily get Steffi Duna to come back to his hideaway with him. But she's really in love with Tim Holt, so that seems unlikely to happen.

Light hearted, full of humor yet ridiculous, this RKO western directed by Lew Landers is easy to take, but it's even easier to forget. The good supporting cast includes Donald MacBride (minus his Edgar Kennedy like slow burn), Esther Muir and Chris Pin-Martin, and does have a lavish feel to it in spite of the B unit budget. This seems unlikely a play to get revived, but it's interesting to note that the original Broadway cast featured Judith Anderson.

Before RKO remade it, there had been several previous iterations of this rousing Mexican-American western. Initially, the story had been produced as a silent picture at United Artists starring Norma Talmadge, Noah Beery and Gilbert Roland in 1927. RKO obtained the rights in 1931.

A year later, the studio produced the first sound version. The 1932 production was called GIRL OF THE RIO, a title that seems to have slipped into obscurity. It featured Dolores Del Rio, Norman Foster and Leo Carrillo in the lead roles. Carrillo would repeat his part in the 1939 remake, though his character underwent a slight name change.

By 1939, the production code was in full force, so a lot of the more provocative aspects had to be toned down. The main female role was given to Steffi Duna, the Hungarian-born wife of Dennis O'Keefe, who had been specializing in ethnic characterizations. Duna often appeared in B-pictures in support of better known actresses, so this was a rare chance for her to shine.

As for her romantic partner in the film, Tim Holt, he was just starting his lengthy career in the movies. Holt would make a name for himself in a series of popular RKO B-westerns from 1938 to 1952. In this tale, he doesn't play a cowboy, but rather a gambler who is smitten with Duna's charms, while she is fighting off Carrillo's advances.

Mostly THE GIRL AND THE GAMBLER is Mr. Carrillo's film. He gives a masterclass in the exaggerated bandit stereotype, as well as a 'good' lesson in mangling two languages. We will politely call it Spanglish. Carrillo's considerable charms work in favor of endearing him to the viewer, if not to the lovely Miss Duna whose heart belongs to young Holt.

Part of the fun is that Carrillo, playing a thief known as El Rayo, likes to rob from the rich and give to the church. It is all shades of Robin Hood to be sure. And a bit ironic, since Carrillo himself was from a landowning family that had first colonized California (some of his prime real estate became Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu).

Carrillo's character has taken a bet that he can get Duna, referred to as a dove, to love him and go away with him to his casa. But she's too committed to the handsome gambler she loves (Holt), who's up on a murder charge and needs saving.

We know how it will end. Duna and Holt will beat the odds and make a new life together. But they help ensure that Carrillo doesn't lose face while 'losing' the bet he wagered. Ultimately, what we have is a pleasant energetic farce about love, rivalries, reputations and winning at all costs.