Based on the actual event of Rowan's carrying a message from President McKinley to Garcia in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. The parts of Dory and Raphalita are added.Based on the actual event of Rowan's carrying a message from President McKinley to Garcia in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. The parts of Dory and Raphalita are added.Based on the actual event of Rowan's carrying a message from President McKinley to Garcia in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. The parts of Dory and Raphalita are added.
Frederik Vogeding
- German Stoker
- (as Frederick Vogeding)
Sam Appel
- Proprietor
- (uncredited)
Guillermo Arcos
- Captain
- (uncredited)
Josefina Betancourt
- Aggresive Flirt
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe real-life incident on which the film is supposedly based, but to which it bears no factual resemblance whatsoever, involved Lt. Rowan's relatively safe trip to Cuba carrying an oral (not written) message to Gen. Garcia from William McKinley that the US was declaring war on Spain and was eager to have Garcia's cooperation.
- GoofsThe story takes place in 1898, but Barbara Stanwyck's hairstyle, make-up, false eyelashes, and riding pants are strictly in the 1936 mode, and, in true Hollywood tradition, remain relatively unsullied despite the many perils of the swamp and and backlot jungle through which she doggedly perseveres.
- Quotes
Sergeant Dory: [after shooting Dr. Krug] That's the last leap that blonde jumping bean will ever take.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Wife vs. Secretary (1936)
Featured review
Barbara Stanwyck is a Cuban in this
I guess I've seen so many films that take place in foreign countries that bad casting no longer bothers me. Once you've seen Katharine Hepburn in Dragon Seed, there are no more shocks left.
Here we have Barbara Stanwyck of all people playing a Cuban in "A Message to Garcia" from 1936. I saw an awful print of this. However, it wasn't awful enough not to see how beautiful Stanwyck looked with darker hair and darker eye makeup. She was very sexy, and I think she had good chemistry with John Boles.
The story concerns President McKinley send. Ing a messenger, Lt. Rowan (Boles) to Cuba during the Spanish-American war with, you guessed it, a secret message to General Garcia, who leads a rebellion against Spanish rule in Cuba.
Rowan poses as a Canadian. Once in Cuba, he meets a con artist, Dory (Wallace Beery), who is a deserter from the Marines. For money, Dory says he will take Rowan to a patriot who can lead him to Garcia. But by the time they reach him, he has been killed.
The patriot's daughter Raphaelita (Stanwyck) joins them in their quest to meet Garcia. Many problems ensue, including Raphaelita being shot. Finally, Rowan is taken to Garcia. Or is he.
Reading other reviews, I guess this thing was panned. I actually kind of liked it. Wallace Beery steals the film as the hard-drinking Dory, whom Raphaelita doesn't trust initially. Alan Hale plays Dr. Krug, who is set on diverting the message.
I wish the print had been better, but I was interested in what was going on during the film.
Here we have Barbara Stanwyck of all people playing a Cuban in "A Message to Garcia" from 1936. I saw an awful print of this. However, it wasn't awful enough not to see how beautiful Stanwyck looked with darker hair and darker eye makeup. She was very sexy, and I think she had good chemistry with John Boles.
The story concerns President McKinley send. Ing a messenger, Lt. Rowan (Boles) to Cuba during the Spanish-American war with, you guessed it, a secret message to General Garcia, who leads a rebellion against Spanish rule in Cuba.
Rowan poses as a Canadian. Once in Cuba, he meets a con artist, Dory (Wallace Beery), who is a deserter from the Marines. For money, Dory says he will take Rowan to a patriot who can lead him to Garcia. But by the time they reach him, he has been killed.
The patriot's daughter Raphaelita (Stanwyck) joins them in their quest to meet Garcia. Many problems ensue, including Raphaelita being shot. Finally, Rowan is taken to Garcia. Or is he.
Reading other reviews, I guess this thing was panned. I actually kind of liked it. Wallace Beery steals the film as the hard-drinking Dory, whom Raphaelita doesn't trust initially. Alan Hale plays Dr. Krug, who is set on diverting the message.
I wish the print had been better, but I was interested in what was going on during the film.
helpful•30
- blanche-2
- Nov 13, 2021
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- General Garsija
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 25 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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