Viva Villa!

US (1934): Drama/Western

In this fictionalized biography, young Pancho Villa (Phillip Cooper) takes to the hills after killing an overseer in revenge for his father's death. In 1910, he (Wallace Beery) befriends American reporter Johnny Sykes (Stuart Erwin). Then a meeting with visionary Francisco Madero (Henry B. Walthall) transforms Villa from an avenging bandit to a revolutionary general. To the tune of "La Cucaracha," his armies sweep Mexico. After victory, Villa's bandit-like disregard for human life forces Madero to exile him. But Madero's fall brings Villa back to raise the people against a new tyrant... With Leo Carrillo, Fay Wray, Joseph Schildkraut and Katherine DeMille. (Rod Crawford, IMDb)

Filming began in Mexico in 1931, but because of production delays, personnel changes and other problems, the film wasn't released until 1934. Howard Hawks began shooting the picture, but he was replaced by director Jack Conway. Due to an incident during a parade in Mexico, actor Lee Tracy was fired (and replaced by Stu Erwin); Hawks refused to testify against Tracy and was replaced. (MGM)

 Use this link to view the original theatrical trailer for Viva Villa! on TCM.com.

4 nominations, 1 Award