1949 South of St. Louis screening at Market Square

 The friendship of three Texas Ranchers. Later their ranch was destroyed by Cotrell, of the Union army,and his band of outlaw raiders. The original title was "Distant Drums", this was a description of Civil War army deserters. (from IMDb)

The movie had already started but I had a chorizo con huevo ala Mexicana taco at Araudo's (formerly Aranda's on Market Square) for a late breakfast because it had been too long since.  Then I made my way in to Brownsville Historical Association's "Market Square Cinema Presents" weekly Saturday events for the Month of August.

No theater would be complete without a concessions stand.  Ayla Jaramillo sold popcorn and candy treats to complete the theater experience.  The Manley Vista Pop Model 67 that made popcorn for thousands of patrons of the Victoria Theater since the 1950's was hard at work.  The fun is watching the popcorn spin inside the Pyrex kettle.  The machine was recommissioned by Gene Balch his friend Carl after it was donated by the Ruenes family.

There were still a few empty seats.  Matamoros is pronounced "Matamoras" by the gringos in the movie just as many still do to this day.  The Brownsville and Matamoros scenes aren't on location but several extras in the movie were from Brownsville, Texas.  George Ramirez of the Half Moon Saloon donated the use of the inflatable screen courtesy of Brownsville Performing Arts.

Pictured are some of the young Brownsville women who were extras in the film. Effie Ingram,Gladys Meir, Elizabeth Webster McCollum,Teddie Starck Tolard, Alice Starck Burton, Salome McAllen Scanlon, Elenor Rentfro Fernandez, Anne Starck Heaner,Ethel Neale Fry, Lillian Hicks Schmeling, Carmela Barerra Celaya, Gaye Moore Maxwell, Bessie Earle Vivier, and Annie Wells.  (Brownsville Historical Association archives).

I spoke with Jesus Abete who used to operate movie projectors at many Brownsville theaters and drive ins beginning with the Fiesta which opened in 1954 before attending the cinema this Saturday and he wanted to know why Rio Bravo wasn't being shown.  He recalled Joel McCrea coming to Brownsville to greet patrons at the Grande Theater.  McCrea was big back then along with Hopalong Cassidy and all those great cowboy heroes.  Maybe the BHA can add that movie and others to future 'Market Square Cinema" showings of this FREE event.