Ride, Vaquero! is a 1953 American Western film photographed in Ansco Color (print by Technicolor) made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). It was directed by John Farrow and produced by Stephen Ames from a screenplay by Frank Fenton and John Farrow. The music score was by Bronislau Kaper and the cinematography by Robert Surtees.

Ride, Vaquero!
Original film poster
Directed byJohn Farrow
Written byFrank Fenton
Produced byStephen Ames
StarringRobert Taylor
Ava Gardner
Howard Keel
Anthony Quinn
Kurt Kasznar
Ted de Corsia
CinematographyRobert Surtees
Edited byHarold F. Kress
Music byBronislau Kaper
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • July 15, 1953 (1953-07-15)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1,128,000[1]
Box office$3,427,000[1]

The film stars Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Anthony Quinn, and Howard Keel with Kurt Kasznar, Ted de Corsia and Jack Elam. Movita appears uncredited in a small role.

Plot

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Mexican bandit Jose Esqueda resents settlers in the Brownsville, Texas region, and conducts raids against them. He threatens to burn down their homes, and has burned down the ranch house King Cameron has just built for his wife Cordelia.

Rio, raised like a brother to Esqueda, joins forces with him at first. But in time he forms a partnership with Cameron instead, and even saves his life, although Cordelia continues not to trust him.

Complications arise when Cordelia's distrust turns to desire. Cameron must save both his property and his marriage after Esqueda goes on a rampage, robbing Brownsville's bank and killing the sheriff.

Shot several times by Esqueda and close to death, Cameron is once again saved by Rio, who confronts Esqueda in a final gunfight. Cameron forgives Cordelia for her feelings toward Rio.

Cast

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Production

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Parts of the film were shot in Kanab Canyon and Johnson Canyon in Utah.[2]

Reception

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According to MGM records the film earned $1,834,000 in the US and Canada and $1,593,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $895,000.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
  2. ^ D'Arc, James V. (2010). When Hollywood came to town: a history of moviemaking in Utah (1st ed.). Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith. ISBN 9781423605874.
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