The Cowboy and the Lady (1938)

Director:

H.C. Potter

Writers:

Leo McCarey (story) and
Frank R. Adams (story) ...

Release Date:

17 November 1938 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Western

Tagline:

Wishin' for a real unusual screen treat ? Here It Is !

Plot:

When a beautiful socialite masquerades as a maid, she becomes involved with an unpretentious, plain-spoken cowboy who's unaware of her true identity.

Plot Keywords:

Maid | Blind Date | Rodeo | Political | Cowboy

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Gary Cooper	...	Stretch Willoughby
Merle Oberon	...	Mary Smith
Patsy Kelly	...	Katie Callahan
Walter Brennan	...	Sugar
Fuzzy Knight	...	Buzz
Mabel Todd	...	Elly
Henry Kolker	...	Horace Smith
Harry Davenport	...	Uncle Hannibal Smith
Emma Dunn	...	Ma Hawkins
Walter Walker	...	Ames
Berton Churchill	...	Oliver Wendell Henderson
Charles Richman	...	Dillon
Frederick Vogeding	...	Ship's Captain

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #4783) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Triunfo, California, USA

Company:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Trivia:

William Wyler began as director of this movie, but walked off the picture after an argument with Samuel Goldwyn about extensive retakes he wanted. Goldwyn suspended Wyler, who did not return as director. However, he and Goldwyn settled their differences, and he did direct Goldwyn's next picture, Wuthering Heights (1939).

Quotes:

Horace Smith: Hannibal, sometimes I think you're in your second childhood!
Uncle Hannibal Smith: Well, come on in; the water's fine!

Soundtrack:

A-Tisket A-Tasket

Just okay and the title pretty much says it all

Considering the film has Merle Oberon and Gary Cooper, it couldn't help but be watchable...and it certainly was. The problem for me, though, is that with these actors and a concept that was decent enough, the film's script sure didn't do much with this. Instead, it has some nice moments as well as some lulls.

Perhaps it was just too much pawning off the idea of Merle Oberon with her exotic ways and accent as a rich lady in love with Cooper. While the idea of a society lady falling for a cowboy, Oberon just seems too distant and cold to make it all seem possible. I really think someone a little more "human" could have made this odd pairing work well. Oberon was a fine actress but I just don't think she was right for this film.

Perhaps it was that once the two fell in love, the film just stagnated until near the end. They married and yet the film still had a long way to go and the middle just seemed like filler at times--particularly Cooper's pantomime sequence inside their new house.

Whatever the reason, the film just seemed like an agreeable time-passer and nothing more. Inoffensive and just a tad bland. For a SLIGHTLY better variation of this same plot, try seeing the John Wayne and Jean Arthur film LADY TAKES A CHANCE--it has better chemistry and is just a better film in most respects.