The New Lion of Sonora (1971)

After delivering stock to the Montoya ranch, Buck Cannon (Cameron Mitchell) returns to the High Chaparral with devastating news.

Don Sebastan Montoya has died. He was the father of Manolito (Henry Darrow) and Buck’s wife Victoria (Linda Cristal).

The news hits Manolito particularly hard. He’s never wanted the responsibility of running a large ranch.

But as Don Sebastan’s only son, he’s the most likely heir to the High Chaparral’s south-of-the-border neighbor.

So he resigns himself to accepting the responsibility.

Then the reading of Don Sebastan’s will brings a stunning surprise.

The property has been left to Don Domingo Montoya (Gilbert Roland), who’s best known for frequenting bordellos and running up gambling debts.

His plan for the Montoya spread: Use its value to pay off those debts, then sell the ranch for the millions its worth and live each day to its fullest, surrounded by food, drink and beautiful women.

Manolito is upset at the prospect of seeing his father’s legacy fall into ruin. Buck Cannon (Leif Erikson) isn’t very happy either.

The High Chaparral and the Montoya spread had formed an alliance against rustlers that served both ranches well.

With Don Domingo now in charge, rustlers figure the Montoya herd will be easy pickings.

And Don Domingo might not want the Montoya spread, but someone with inside information does.

Review:

An entertaining two-part episode of “The High Chaparral” TV show, later marketed on VHS as a “full-length feature” from the series.

Okay, Manolito’s torment seems overblown at times. Albert Paulsen overacts badly as the attorney forever taking inventory of the Montoya spread.

But Roland serves up a delightful performance as the black sheep of the Montoya family, a man who knows others frown upon his way of life, but isn’t about to apologize for it.

Meanwhile, Linda Cristal brightens every scene she appears in and Leif Erickson is rock solid as owner of the High Chaparral, helping remind us why the series was so popular during its four-year run on NBC (1967-71).

The two-part “New Lion of Sonora” episode aired during the show’s final season. A new owner of the Montoya spread was needed since Frank Silvera, who played Don Fernando in 14 episodes, died at age 56 in 1970 from an accidental electrocution.

Directed by:
Leon Benson

Cast:
Leif Erickson … Big John Cannon
Cameron Mitchell … Buck Cannon
Henry Darrow … Manolito Montoya
Linda Cristal … Victoria Cannon
Roger Carmel … Gen. Casados
Gilbert Roland … Don Domingo Montoya
Albert Paulsen … Eduardo Nervo
Malachi Throne … Julio Armendaris
Eddra Gale …. Lola

Runtime: 100 min.

Memorable lines:

Big John Cannon of Don Domingo: “I never even heard of him.”
Victoria Cannon, frowning adorably: “He’s not a popular topic of conversation in our family.”

Manolito, when Don Sebastian’s will is read: “Oh, papa, what a joke this is. Your most magnificent joke.”

Manolito: “What are some of the places papa said we could find our uncle?”
Attorney Eduardo Nervo: “Bordellos. Gambling halls. Casinos.”
Manolito: “You can be sure, I will find him.”

Roger Carmel as Gen. Cassados, the man who convinces Don Domingo to wager his newly acquired ranch in a card game in New Lion of Sonora (1971)

Eddra Gale as Lola, the madam who helps Manolito locate his long-lost uncle in New Lion of Sonora (1971)