This Flash movie requires a newer version of the Flash plug-in. Please upgrade your Flash plug-in by visiting www.macromedia.com
Movie Database
(Over 150,000 titles)
Site
Sign In register

Overview for Border Incident (1949)

Overview
Full Credits
Full Synopsis
Notes
Music
Screenplay Info
Original Print Info
Genre
Keywords
data from AFI catalog 
User Reviews
Other Reviews
Articles
Money
Awards
Quotes
Trivia
Home Video Reviews
Misc Notes
Alternate Versions
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
Fan Sites
Contribute an image Contribute a video Contribute information Write a review
Send Us Feedback
About TCM's database
This Flash movie requires a newer version of the Flash plug-in. Please upgrade your Flash plug-in by visiting www.macromedia.com
Overview
Brief Synopsis
Police try to crack down on the illegal immigration racket.
[+] Read full synopsis
[x] Close full synopsis
Synopsis

At the All-American Canal, along the California-Mexico border, hundreds of Mexican farm workers, known as "braceros," wait to make their daily crossing into California. Some of the workers cross into the United States legally, while many others enter illegally. Many of the workers are robbed and sometimes stabbed by bandits, who ambush the braceros on their way home. Hoping to end the often deadly ambushes, the Mexican and American governments send officials to meet and discuss a possible solution to the problem. Soon after immigration investigators Pablo Rodriguez, a Mexican, and Jack Bearnes, an American, are assigned to the case by their respective countries, Pablo volunteers to disguise himself as a bracero and investigate the well-organized bandit operation. As part of their plan, Jack will follow Pablo and monitor all the contacts he makes on the Mexican side. After finding Owen Parkson, an American bracero broker posing as a rancher, Pablo tries to win his trust by telling him that he is running from the police. Though reluctant to believe Pablo's story, Parkson agrees to transport him across the border, and directs him to a truck filled with farm workers. Jack, meanwhile, loses his trail and falls into the hands of Parkson, who holds him prisoner in his camp, demanding the "stolen" immigration papers that Jack has offered him. Pablo sees Jack there, but does not offer him help for fear that he might expose their identities. Parkson eventually discovers the trap when he intercepts a telegram that Jack has sent to the immigration authorities. After ordering Jack killed, Parkson, realizing that he is the target of an investigation and is about to be arrested, decides to hide the evidence of his operation by sending the braceros back to Mexico. Pablo, who is among the men who are to be sent back, spurs the braceros to riot, and a bloody fight ensues. Parkson and many of his henchmen are killed in the battle, but a border patrol unit arrives in time to bring order and arrest the remaining crooks.

Cast & Crew
Ricardo Montalban
as Pablo Rodriguez
George Murphy
as Jack Bearnes
Howard Da Silva
as Owen Parkson
James Mitchell
as Juan Garcia
Arnold Moss
as Zopilote
Alfonso Bedoya
as Cuchillo
Charles McGraw
as Jeff Amboy
JosE Torvay
as Pocoloco
John Ridgely
as Mr. Neley
Arthur Hunnicutt
as Clayton Nordell
See all cast & crew >>
Release Date
28 Oct 1949

Color/BW
Black and White

Sound
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Production Dates
26 Jan--early Mar 1949

Alternate Title(s)
Border Patrol
Wetbacks

Duration (in mins)
92 or 95-96

Duration (in feet)
8,563

Duration (in reels)
10

Premiere Information
not available
26 Jan--early Mar 1949


Distribution Company
Loew's Inc.

Production Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp.


Country
United States
Title is not currently scheduled.

  Suggest This Movie>>

Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 3 [DVD]
Available on DVD.
$49.99 Only $41.99
No comments currently exist for Border Incident (1949).
Post a Review>>
You can also post on TCM's Message Boards >>