Like the state of Texas, everything about this film is big--big stars, big budget, big horizons. Gable is a cattle baron selected by Andrew Jackson (Barrymore) to seek out Sam Houston (Olsen) and persuade him not to make a separate peace with Mexico. The Mexican-Texan war is over and the
Alamo and San Jacinto are memories, but forces in Texas are now serious about making the state a separate country. It's Gable's job to persuade Olsen and others to bring Texas into the Union. En route to see Olsen, Gable runs into rough and tumble Crawford, a state senator who is pushing for a
treaty with Mexico and is backed not only by many influential people but by the British ambassador. Gable bucks Crawford and also has eyes for his girl, Gardner, a fiery newspaper editor. When Gable does get to Olsen, he is pondering the fate of Texas in Comanche Territory. Gable persuades him to
stay with the Union, and Olsen gives Gable a letter to deliver to the Texas senate that will endorse this move. Crawford, who has already tried to ambush Gable, knowing his mission, masses an army to prevent the senate from meeting, and Gable gathers a loyal band to fight this horde. The groups
clash but Olsen appears at the last minute and brings peace, winning over even Crawford to the cause of annexation, which all know will mean another war with Mexico. At the finish they all march forward to meet the Mexican menace. The story is cliche-ridden, but there's plenty of action. Sherman's
direction lacks fire, but Gable and Crawford make up for the faulty helmsmanship and potholed script. Gable was drinking heavily during this production and one report had it that he was suffering from the early stages of Parkinson's disease. Though he had gotten along well with Gardner in THE
HUCKSTERS, Gable now steered clear of the sensuous star; some said he was resentful of her youthful energy, but most likely he was merely tired.
