Gene Autry Collection: In Old Monterey is not a typical cowboy movie like most Autry efforts. This one takes place at the outset of World War II when movie studios in America were primarily making patriotic films. Gene Autry plays himself as an army sergeant. The military needs to use a large land area for weapons testing to prepare for the war. Sgt. Autry must go to the area and convince the local populace to evacuate their homes for their country. Stevenson (Jonathon Hale) is a wealthy local Borax mine owner. He is not willing to move and wants his employees and the local people to stay. Stevenson wants to continue his profit-making and will go to any means, including murder, to do so. While this is a serious theme, Gene Autry does not abandon his traditions as the singing cowboy. The B&W classic film includes songs like "Tumbling Tumbleweed" and "It Happened in Monterey."moreless