Heroes of the Alamo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heroes of the Alamo |
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original film poster
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| Directed by | Harry L. Fraser |
| Produced by | Anthony J. Xydias |
| Written by | Roby Wentz |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Lee Zahler |
| Cinematography | Robert E. Cline |
| Editing by | Arthur A. Brooks |
| Distributed by |
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| Release date(s) | September 24, 1937 (U.S.) |
| Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The film Heroes of the Alamo came out in 1937. It tells the story of the Texas Revolution and the famous Battle of the Alamo. This movie was made with a smaller budget. It even used battle scenes from an older silent film called Davy Crockett at the Fall of the Alamo from 1926. About 35 minutes of that older silent film can still be seen today on the DVD of Heroes of the Alamo.
What the Movie is About
This movie is different from other films about the Alamo. It focuses on Almaron (played by Bruce Warren) and his wife Susanna Dickinson (played by Ruth Findlay). Their daughter Angelina (played by Marilyn Haslett) is also a character.
The film shows a made-up but fast-paced story. It covers how American settlers were limited from moving to Texas. It also shows the arrest of Stephen F. Austin by Santa Anna. Then, Sam Houston is chosen to lead the Texian Army. Almaron Dickinson takes part in two important battles: the Battle of Gonzales and the Battle of the Alamo.
Main Actors and Characters
Here are some of the main actors and the historical figures they played in the movie:
- Bruce Warren played Capt. Al Dickinson
- Ruth Findlay played Anne Dickinson
- Earle Hodgins played Stephen F. Austin
- Lane Chandler played Col. Davy Crockett
- Roger Williams played Col. Jim Bowie
- Rex Lease played Col. William B. Travis
- Jack C. Smith played William H. Wharton
- Lee Valanios played Col. James Bonham
- Edward Peil Sr. played Gen. Sam Houston
- Julian Rivero played Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna
- Willy Castello played Gen. Martín Perfecto de Cos
- Paul Ellis played Gen. Manuel Fernández Castrillón
Film Release and Fun Facts
The producer, Anthony J. Xydias, had big plans. He wanted to make many epic films about famous American figures. These included Buffalo Bill, Sitting Bull, George Armstrong Custer, Daniel Boone, and Davy Crockett. These were meant to be remakes of his older silent films. However, only Heroes of the Alamo was actually made.
Xydias had hoped to release the film around the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. This was a big celebration of Texas's 100th anniversary. But he fell behind schedule.
Later, Columbia Pictures bought the film for release in 1938. They changed how the actors' names were shown.
One interesting thing about the movie is that the song The Yellow Rose of Texas is sung by the defenders. But this song had not actually been written yet during the time of the Alamo.
This film was the last one that Anthony J. Xydias produced.
