It’s 1833 and new settlers trying to enter Texas find they’re being turned away thanks to a new decree from Mexico’s President Santa Anna.
That decision to bar more Americans from settling in the area is the latest in a series of moves that has some talking about a need for war and Texas independence.
Such talk concerns Anne Dickinson (Ruth Findlay), wife of former Lt. Al Dickinson (Bruce Warren). But Al assures her Texans are two busy building a new territory to be lured into an armed conflict.
Stephen F. Austin (Earle Hodgins) is hoping to avoid war too, traveling to Mexico to meet with Santa Anna and present him a series of demands on behalf of his fellow Texans.
But Santa Anna is more used to executing that listening to his political enemies. He decides to throw Austin in prison.
By the time he’s released, hostilities have broken out. And with Santa Anna marching an army north, a broken down mission known as the Alamo is the only thing standing between the Mexican forces and vulnerable American settlements.
Earle Hodgins as Stephen Austin confronts Santa Anna with Texans’ concerns in The Heroes of the Alamo (1937)
Rex Lease as Col. William Travis and Roger Williams as Jim Bowie, hoping for reinforcements in The Heroes of the Alamo (1937)
Review:
Surprisingly, this was the only film about the Alamo made around the time of the battle’s 100th anniversary; the mission fell to Mexican forces on March 6, 1836.
And, surprisingly, the focus of the film falls on Al and Anne Dickinson. It’s Al who suggests the Americans take refuge in the old mission. It’s Anne who “runs the gauntlet” to rejoin him inside the walls, just in time to witness the final assault.
And it’s Anne who’s the hero in the film’s final scenes, delivering a message to Sam Houston that’s not at all what Santa Anna had in mind when he spared her life.
The other “heroes” of the Alamo? They’re all present, though Davy Crockett plays a minor role and is killed trying to escape the carnage. Also present is the line in the sand scene which has become a staple of films about the battle.
Unfortunately, this was appears to have been a rather low-budget enterprise. It was released independently in 1937 before being picked up by Columbia and released the following year. And it hasn’t aged very well.
Rex Lease as Col. William Travis listening to Al Dickinson’s suggestion that the men move into the Alamo in The Heroes of the Alamo (1937)
Bruce Warren as Lt. Al Dickinson tells wife Ann (Ruth Findlay) of the bleak prospects in Heroes of the Alamo (1937)
Directed by:
Harry L. Fraser
Cast:
Earle Hodgins … Stephen F. Austin
Lane Chandler … Davy Crockett
Roger Williams … Jim Bowie
Rex Lease … Col. William B. Travis
Jack C. Smith … William H. Wharton
Bruce Warren … Lt. Al Dickinson
Ruth Findlay … Anne Dickinson
Lee Valanios … Col. James Bonham
Edward Peil Sr. … Gen. Sam Houston
Julian Rivero … Gen. Santa Anna
Willy Castello … Gen. Cos
Paul Ellis … Gen. Castillion
Jim Corey … Hank Hunter
Steve Clark … Frank Hunter
Marilyn Haslett … Angelina Dickinson
Lafe McKee … Lafe
Runtime: 75 min.
Rex Lease as Col. William Travis, offering his men a chance to leave the Alamo in The Heroes of the Alamo (1937)
Julian Rivero as Gen. Santa Anna announces his decision to spare Anne Dickinson (Ruth Findlay) in The Heroes of the Alamo (1937)
Memorable lines:
Al Dickinson: “We haven’t got time to fight in this country, Anne. We’re building it … You can’t fight and build a house at the same time.”
Al Dickinson: “Anne, why don’t you give the folks a treat and sing that song you sing for me at home all the time?”
Anne Dickinson: “Not tonight, darling.”
Al Dickinson: “Oh, but Anne, they want you to.”
Anne Dickinson: “Dear, don’t you understand.”
At which point she faints and soon thereafter gives birth to a baby girl.
Santa Anna: “There will be no quarter given. I mean to have the life of every Texan dog in that fort. And when I’m finished, not one will be left to whine of his defeat.”
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