| In Old Monterey | |
| Director: | Joseph Kane |
| Producer: | Armand Schaefer (associate) |
| Music: | Raoul Kraushaar (musical director) |
| Cinematography: | Ernest Miller |
| Editing: | Edward Mann |
| Studio: | Republic Pictures |
| Distributor: | Republic Pictures |
| Runtime: | 73 minutes[1] |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
In Old Monterey is a 1939 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and June Storey. Based on a story by Gerald Geraghty and George Sherman, the film is about an army sergeant and former rancher who runs into opposition from local ranchers when the United States Army sends him to purchase their ranch land needed for a strategic air base.[2]
The United States Army sends Sergeant Gene Autry (Gene Autry), a rancher in civilian life, to negotiate the purchase of ranch land out West needed to build a strategic air base. Local ranchers, led by Gabby Whittaker (George "Gabby" Hayes), refuse to sell their land to the government.
After some investigation, Gene suspects that the ranchers' refusal to sell their land may be influenced by borax mine magnate Stevenson (Jonathan Hale), who wants more money than the government is offering for his Atlas Borax Mine. To prevent ranchers from selling their land to the army, Stevenson and his men embark upon a plan of sabotage that makes it appear that the army fliers are employing ruthless tactics to force the ranchers into selling.
Influenced by Stevenson's covert agitation, the ranchers are driven to armed resistance when Gabby's nephew Jimmy (Billy Lee) is killed in an explosion caused by Stevenson. As the ranchers prepare to barricade the town, Gene rides to the rescue with proof that Stevenson was responsible for the explosion and the sabotage. Angered by the treachery, the ranchers, led by Gene in an armored truck, ride to the Atlas Borax Mine and bring Stevenson and his gang to justice.
Stuntwork for the film was performed by Joe Yrigoyen (Gene's double), Jack Kirk (Smiley's double), Nellie Walker, Henry Morris, Jack Long, Tom Steele, Bill Yrigoyen, Wally West, Art Dillard, Jay Wilsey, Carey Loftin, Charles Thomas, Duke York, George Allen, Eddie Parker, and Bert LeBaron.[1]
In Old Monterey was filmed on location in the Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, Kernville, railroad tracks at Castaic Junction and Piru, the Big T Plant of Consumers Rock and Gravel Co. (Borax plant) at San Fernando Blvd. and Dexter, and Lasky Mesa in Calabasas.[1]