San Antonio

San Antonio

Year: 1945

Runtime: 109 mins

Language: English

Director: David Butler

WesternWesternsSong and danceWild west outlaws and gunfightsWestern frontier dramas with a touch of humor

Rancher Clay Hardin rides into San Antonio on a mission to track down Roy Stuart, the feared leader of a cattle‑rustling gang. Stuart is in town, courting chanteuse Jeanne Starr, hoping to win her affection. Hardin's resolve to capture him deepens the rivalry, and when Jeanne falls for the charismatic Hardin, the stakes rise for both men.

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Timeline & Setting – San Antonio (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of San Antonio (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century

Set in the era of frontier justice and cattle drives, the town struggles with lawlessness and personal loyalties. Stagecoaches, saloons, and gunfights define daily life, while a fragile sense of order is maintained by a small cavalry presence. The period frame highlights how quickly fortune can shift in a boomtown atmosphere.

Location

San Antonio, Texas, USA, New Orleans, Louisiana, Fort Worth, Texas, Mexico

The story centers on a rough-and-tumble Texas town where rustling runs rampant and a cavalry presence attempts to prevent an all-out war. Key locations include the Bella Union saloon and the Alamo ruins, which become stages for the town's tensions. The cast travels from distant places—Jeanne from the East, Clay arriving from Mexico—showing how borders blur in a frontier town.

🏜️ Western setting 🐂 Ranching frontier ⚔️ Frontier lawlessness

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:38

Main Characters – San Antonio (1945)

Meet the key characters of San Antonio (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Charlie Bell (John Litel)

A rancher in San Antonio and wary observer of rustling, Bell is skeptical of Jeanne and the town's shifting loyalties. He is mortally wounded during the early confrontation when Legare shoots him and takes the book, becoming a catalyst for Clay's pursuit of justice.

🤠 Rancher 🕵️‍♂️ Skeptical 💔 Tragic

Clay Hardin (Errol Flynn)

A gunfighter returning from Mexico who carries a book claiming Roy Stuart's guilt. He volunteers to become the town marshal to uncover the truth and relentlessly pursues the rustlers, ultimately chasing Stuart across town into a brutal street battle.

🏹 Hero ⚔️ Determined 🗺️ Pursuer

Jeanne Star (Alexis Smith)

An East-born actress whose stage career is arranged by her manager Sacha. She tests Clay's trust, suspects double-dealing, and later reveals connections to the town's loyalties. She leaves for New Orleans, believing Clay has abandoned her, only to be drawn back as events unfold.

🎭 Entertainer 💘 Romantic 🕊️ Loyal

Sacha Bozic (S.Z. Sakall)

Jeanne's manager who arranges her job at the saloon and becomes entangled in the plot as the truth about the book and loyalties emerges. He tries to navigate danger and influence events as the rustling scheme unfolds.

🕵️‍♂️ Manager 💼 Plotter ⚖️ Witness

Legare (Victor Francen)

Roy Stuart's business partner from New Orleans who seeks to suppress testimony and maintain control over the rustling operation. He hides in the Alamo ruins during the climactic chase and is pursued to a fatal confrontation.

🧭 Villain 🗡️ Manipulator 🏚️ Clandestine

Roy Stuart (Paul Kelly)

The rustling king whose guilt is threatened by Clay's discovery. He engages in calculated violence to protect his interests, confronts Jeanne and Clay during the mass gunfight, and ultimately dies after a clash that ends his scheme.

💰 Rustler 🥊 Antagonist 🕯️ Calculated

Colonel Johnson (Robert Barrat)

The cavalry officer who imposes order in a lawless town. He holds a hearing into Charlie's death and later authorizes a temporary move of the cavalry as the town braces for violence.

🎖️ Authority 🛡️ Duty 🧭 Stability

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:38

Major Themes – San Antonio (1945)

Explore the central themes of San Antonio (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice vs. Vigilantism

Official law is thin in the town, and the pursuit of truth hinges on bold individuals. Clay brings a book as proof of guilt, challenging corrupt power and the limits of formal justice. The story tests whether justice is better served by institutions or by courageous action.

🕵️ Deception and Trust

Jeanne's loyalties are questioned as she becomes entangled in a dangerous plot. Appearances and motives shift as characters pursue different versions of the truth. Trust must be earned in a town where everyone has something to hide.

🤝 Loyalty and Alliances

Relationships are strained as danger and greed pull people in conflicting directions. Sacha's and Jeanne's motives test loyalties, while Clay and Jeanne must decide who to stand with. The forming of uneasy alliances becomes essential to facing the rustlers.

🛡️ Courage under Fire

Gunfights erupt across crowded streets and the Alamo ruins, forcing characters to stay true under pressure. Clay pursues Stuart through perilous confrontations, risking his life for justice. The climactic fight demonstrates the grit needed to confront rampant rustling.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:38

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San Antonio Summary

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San Antonio Summary

San Antonio Timeline

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San Antonio Timeline

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