but has ultimate authority over the regular soldiers. Richard Boone as General Sam Houston, leader of the Texas army, who hopes the stand at the Alamo will gain him time to gather troops to repel Santa Anna's forces. Frankie Avalon as Smitty, the youngest of the Alamo defenders, and one of Crockett's Tennesseans. Patrick Wayne as Capt. James Butler Bonham, a Texan officer sent out with an appeal for help. Linda Cristal as Graciela Carmela María 'Flaca' de López y Vejar, a young woman whom Crockett saves from forced marriage. Joan O'Brien as Mrs. Sue Dickinson, wife of Captain Almaron Dickinson and cousin of Col. William Travis, who refuses to leave the fort with her young daughter. Chill Wills as Beekeeper, one of Crockett's colorful Tennesseans. Joseph Calleia as Juan Seguín, a San Antonio political figure who leads Mexican volunteers to help defend the Alamo. Ken Curtis as Capt. Almaron Dickinson, Travis's aide-de-camp. Carlos Arruza as Lt. Reyes, an officer of Santa Anna's army, sent to demand the surrender of the fort. Jester Hairston as Jethro, Jim Bowie's loyal slave. Veda Ann Borg as Blind Nell Robertson, the wife of Alamo defender Jocko Robertson. John Dierkes as Jocko Robertson, Nell's husband, and a Tennessean, though not one of Crockett's men but Bowie's. Denver Pyle as Thimblerig (the Gambler), one of Crockett's Tennessee volunteers. Aissa Wayne as Lisa Dickinson, the daughter of Almaron and Sue Dickinson. Hank Worden as Parson, one of Crockett's Tennessee volunteers. Bill Henry as Dr. Sutherland, the garrison physician. Bill Daniel as Col. Neill, an officer in the Texas army, and an adviser to Sam Houston. Wesley Lau as Emil Sande, a corrupt San Antonio businessman who attempts to force Flaca into marriage. Chuck Roberson as a Tennessean, one of Crockett's volunteers. Guinn Williams as Lt. "Irish" Finn, one of Bowie's volunteers. Olive Carey as Mrs. Dennison, one of the women evacuated from the Alamo before the battle. Jack Pennick as Sgt. Lightfoot. Big John Hamilton as Bowie's man (uncredited) Ruben Padilla as Generalissimo Antonio Miguel López de Santa Anna, the dictatorial president of Mexico and leader of the army intent on putting down the Texas revolution. Rosita Fernández as Cantina Girl (uncredited) Finis Dean Smith Production Background By 1945, John Wayne had decided to make a movie about the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. He hired James Edward Grant as scriptwriter, and the two began researching