Zeus

The Big SHow (1936)

• Directors
  • Mack V. Wright
  • Joseph Kane(uncredited)
• Writers
  • Dorrell McGowan(screenplay)
  • Stuart E. McGowan(screenplay)
• Stars
  • Gene Autry
  • Smiley Burnette
  • Kay Hughes

  The Big Show is a modestly budgeted but elaborately turned out Gene Autry western. Autry plays "himself," a famous cowboy star, and his own stunt man. When Autry-the-star reneges on a agreement to make a personal appearance at Dallas' Texas Centennial (represented through newsreel shots), Autry-the-stunt man takes his boss' place. This causes confusion with the ladies, and with a gang of mobsters who were hoping to extort money from Autry-the-star. Ever protective of his own image, Gene Autry saw to it that both of his cinematic alter egos prove worthy of their salt in a climactic fist-fight with the villains. Also appearing in The Big Show is a radio aggregation called the Sons of the Pioneers, featuring future Gene Autry rival Roy Rogers.