Johnny Canales / Facebook
The legend of Johnny Canales is getting the spotlight it deserves. Take It Away – The Rise and Fall of Tejano Hollywood, a powerful new documentary about the iconic host of The Johnny Canales Show, is set to make its world premiere this weekend at the Dallas International Film Festival. Directed by Adrian Arredondo and Myrna Perez, and executive produced by Texas Monthly and Trojan Horse Media, the film offers a long-overdue cinematic look into the life and impact of the man dubbed the “Mexican-American Dick Clark.”
For decades, The Johnny Canales Show was appointment viewing in millions of households across North America. Airing in both English and Spanish, it became a cultural bridge for generations of Mexican-American viewers — a place where artists like Selena, Ramon Ayala, Intocable, La Mafia, and Bobby Pulido made early appearances that catapulted them to superstardom.
Now, with the documentary set to tour Texas and beyond — including an appearance at the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival in Austin, Texas, next month and the Berlin Indie Film Festival later this year — audiences will get an inside look at Canales’ meteoric rise, his sudden disappearance from the airwaves, and the lasting mark he left on Tejano and Regional Mexican music.
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Featuring deep archival footage and personal interviews with Canales, artists, and fans alike, Take It Away spans over 30 years of broadcast history. It dives into the show’s unique energy, live performances, and behind-the-scenes moments that shaped a generation of music and culture. From Selena’s breakout performances to the evolution of the genre that now includes today’s chart-toppers like Peso Pluma and Grupo Frontera, the film traces the roots of a movement back to one man and his signature phrase: “You got it, take it away!”
With the trailer and full screening schedule set to be released soon, Take It Away promises to be more than just a nostalgic journey — it’s a celebration of a cultural revolution, and the man who gave Tejano music a national stage.
For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this documentary is a must-see tribute to Johnny Canales’ enduring legacy.
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