The Big Sombrero

Gene Autry is out of work and pawns his guitar. He meets former rodeo sharpshooter Angie Burke, who works for Estrellita Estrada. Angie suggests that Gene ride south across the border to Estrellita's ranch at El Sombrero Grande to prove himself as a ranch hand.

Approaching the ranch, Gene witnesses a fight between Garland and the rancheros who are being forced off the land. He intervenes and stops Garland from shooting the unarmed men. Garland then offers Gene the foreman job and hints at marrying Estrellita.

Garland’s proposition to become foreman comes with the implied leverage over Estrellita’s future. Gene weighs the opportunity against his loyalty to the rancheros and the community. The decision marks a shift toward taking an active leadership role.

On the way back to the ranch, Gene meets Don Luis Alvarado, Estrellita's godfather, who has been hired to replace Felipe Gonzales. Gene does not want to displace Felipe, but he decides to accept the job to help the rancheros. He also hires Felipe as his translator to smooth the transition.

Gene travels back to the United States planning to bring Estrellita back to her ranch in Mexico. He hopes to unite Estrellita with her land and her people. The trip sets up the looming cross-border tension over ownership and loyalty.

Angie accompanies Estrellita in America but opposes Gene's plan to move her permanently. Despite the disagreement, Gene and Don Luis kidnap Estrellita and drive her back to El Sombrero Grande. The act escalates the conflict and tests loyalties on both sides.

Back at the ranch, Garland plots to sell to Ben McBride. McBride pressures Garland to remove the rancheros before they can pay their back rent. The scheming reveals the broader threat to the rancheros’ livelihoods.

Learning of Garland and McBride’s plot, Gene secretly organizes a cattle drive with the rancheros to sustain their land and debts. The plan empowers the rancheros and asserts their claim to the ranch.

Gene and Juan ride to a meeting of the rancheros when one of Garland's men opens fire. They capture the assailant and realize that many rancheros are under attack. The danger galvanizes the community to act together.

A young boy named Tico reveals to Garland the plans for Gene's cattle drive. The disclosure alarms the conspirators and complicates the rancheros' efforts. The betrayal foreshadows the dangerous turn of events.

The rancheros leave on the cattle drive, but Garland and McBride ambush them at a mountain pass. A gunfight erupts and the young Tico is killed. The rancheros return with the boy’s body, more determined to defend their land.

Estrellita confronts the truth about Garland’s intentions and orders him to leave the country. She asks Gene to help her learn to care for the ranch and to help rebuild a future for the estate and its people.

Sometime later, Estrellita absolves the rancheros’ debts, signaling a fresh start for the ranch. Gene leaves Mexico but promises to return, hinting at a continuing partnership and future adventures together.