Gaucho Serenade (1940): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1940, Gaucho Serenade is a comedy, drama, music and western film directed by Frank McDonald, running about 66 minutes. “It's Gene at his best ! Singing, riding, fighting his way into great new adventure !” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Gene Autry and sidekick Frog Millhouse depart Madison Square Garden and NYC heading west for home in their car and a horse trailer carrying Gene's horse, Champion. They discover that Ronnie Willoughby, a young boy just off the boat from school in England, has hitched a ride, thinking that Gene and Frog were sent by his father to meet him. Ronnie thinks his father is a big rancher in the west and doesn't know that his father, Alfred Willoughby, is serving time in San Quentin prison because of a frame-up by the officials of a packing company. To keep the father from testifying against them, the packing company officials, Carter, Jenkins and Martin, have arranged for the boy to be kidnapped. Along the way a runaway bride, Joyce Halloway, and her young sister Patsy join the troupe.

Who’s in it. Gaucho Serenade stars Gene Autry as Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette as Frog Millhouse, June Storey as Joyce Halloway and Mary Lee as Patsy Halloway, among others.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Gaucho Serenade page.

If you liked it. Fans of Gaucho Serenade tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.