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Charro!, 1 of 2
"Charro!" was Elvis Presley's twenty-ninth movie and the only one in
which he did not sing. His singing voice is heard only over the
credits performing the title song. The song "Charro!" was written by
Billy Strange and Mac Davis and released as the B-side of the single
"Memories" from Elvis' 1968 TV special.
"Charro!" the song was recorded on October 15, 1968 at the Samuel
Goldwyn Studio in Hollywood.
The session was conducted by Hugo Montenegro, who was known for his
work on the theme to another western movie,
"The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", starring Clint Eastwood.
Playing drums for this session was Carl O'Brien, who, in his youth,
had been a Disney Mouseketeer known as Cubby.
"Charro!" the movie was shot in July and August of 1968 at the
Apacheland Movie Ranch in Apache Junction, Arizona near the
Superstition Mountains, site of many paranormal stories including
the famous "Lost Dutchman Gold Mine". The western was set in 1870
and based on a story written by Frederick Louis Fox. Elvis plays
Jess Wade, a reformed gunslinger who is framed by his former
associates for the theft of a cannon used in Mexico's fight for
independence. The prized Mexican relic had been plated with gold and
was very valuable. In Spanish the word "charro" means "rough,
coarse, and unpolished". In keeping with this theme Elvis as Jess
Wade sports a full beard and Charro is Wade's nickname.
The movie was written, directed and produced by Charles Marquis
Warren, who had a long career in western movies.
He is credited with writing such films as "Streets of Laredo", "Oh!
Susanna", and "Springfield Rifle" and writing for such TV series as
"Gunsmoke" and "Rawhide".
Many times he would direct and produce material he had written.
Elvis' leading lady was Ina Balin, who worked in such films as "The
Black Orchid", "The Young Doctors" and "The Greatest Story Ever
Told". She was an advocate for the orphans of Vietnam, helping
hundreds to evacuate. She adopted three Vietnamese girls in 1976.
Balin died in 1990.
The late Victor French played the villain Vince Hackett. His many
roles included his working with Michael Landon on television as a
regular on "Little House on the Prairie" series and co-star on the
"Highway to Heaven" series. He also starred in the series "Carter
Country".
French took a turn at directing on various TV series including
"Fame", "Father Murphy", "Dallas" and "Buck Rogers in the 25th
Century".
He was the son of a stunt man and made his debut with a small role
in the television series "Lassie". |
