Johnny Canales Documentary to Premiere at Cine Las Americas in Austin This Week

Austin, TX — The legend of Johnny Canales is finally getting the cinematic tribute it deserves. Take It Away – The Rise and Fall of Tejano Hollywood, a powerful new documentary chronicling the life and cultural impact of the iconic TV host, is set to make its Austin premiere at the 27th Annual Cine Las Americas International Film Festival this Wednesday, May 14.

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Fresh off its world premiere at the Dallas International Film Festival last month, the film dives deep into the meteoric rise — and abrupt fall — of Canales, who hosted the groundbreaking Johnny Canales Show. Directed by Adrian Arredondo and Myrna Perez and executive produced by Texas Monthly and Trojan Horse Media, the documentary is a heartfelt and eye-opening portrait of the man many called the “Mexican-American Dick Clark.”

For decades, The Johnny Canales Show was more than just a TV program — it was a lifeline for Mexican-American families across the U.S. and Mexico. Broadcast in both English and Spanish, the variety show offered a cultural home where music, identity, and community converged. It launched the careers of artists like Selena, Ramon Ayala, Intocable, La Mafia, and Bobby Pulido — and paved the way for the explosive rise of Tejano and Regional Mexican music.

With rare archival footage and intimate interviews with Canales, fellow artists, and devoted fans, Take It Away spans over 30 years of broadcast history. The film captures not only the electric performances that became a Saturday morning ritual, but also the behind-the-scenes drama and industry challenges that led to Canales’ sudden disappearance from the spotlight.

Take It Away – The Rise and Fall of Tejano Hollywood Official Trailer
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As part of its Texas tour, the documentary will also screen at the upcoming CineFestival in San Antonio this July. With today’s Regional Mexican stars like Peso Pluma and Grupo Frontera topping charts and breaking records, Take It Awaydraws a direct line back to Johnny Canales — the original hype man whose signature phrase, “You got it, take it away!” became a rallying cry for an entire generation.

For fans old and new, Take It Away offers more than a history lesson — it’s a celebration of resilience, rhythm, and representation. The Cine Las Americas Film Festival runs May 14–18 in Austin and showcases narratives, documentaries, shorts, and music videos from Latine/x, Indigenous, and Latin American filmmakers. Full schedule and ticket information is available at cinelasamericas.org.

This week in Austin, the spotlight shines bright on a man who once helped shine it on so many others. Don’t miss this must-see tribute to a true Tejano legend.

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