Rawhide (1938)

Baseball superstar Gehrig is one of several ranchers being coerced by a bunch of bandits. His sister and her lawyer/lover organize the ranchers.

Director:

Ray Taylor

Writers:

Daniel Jarrett (story), Daniel Jarrett (screenplay),

Stars:

Smith Ballew, Lou Gehrig, Evalyn Knapp

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Smith Ballew	...	Larry Kimball
Lou Gehrig	...	Lou Gehrig
Evalyn Knapp	...	Peggy Gehrig
Arthur Loft	...	Ed Saunders
Cy Kendall	...	Sheriff Kale
Dick Curtis	...	Butch - Saunders Henchman
Si Jenks	...	Pop Mason

Storyline

Baseball superstar Gehrig is one of several ranchers being coerced by a bunch of bandits. His sister and her lawyer/lover organize the ranchers.

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Plot Keywords:

rancher | lawyer

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Taglines:

SMITH BALLEW slinging lead! LOU GEHRIG swinging fists!

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fascino del West

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sol Lesser Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

58 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
[Lou Gehrig, wearing a huge cowboy hat, holds a press conference before leaving for his remote ranch]
First Reporter: There's gold in them thar hills!
Second Reporter: Ride 'em, cowboy!

User Reviews

Wow...talk about strange casting!

A couple years before he died, Lou Gehrig (yes, THAT Lou Gehrig) co-starred in an amiable little western called "Rawhide". The title refers to the name of Gehrig's ranch---to which he's retiring. However, when he arrives he finds there is a 'protective association' that controls all the local ranches. What this actually turns out to be is a protection racket run by some mobsters. In other words, if you don't join, 'accidents' happen to your spread and you can't buy needed materials. However, Lou is tough and he and his new buddy (the crooner Smith Ballew) decide to fight instead of knuckling under to their bullying tactics. Much of the rest of the film is a battle of wills and fists between these men.

The film had some very nice singing. Ballew had a very good voice and the lyrics were catchy. As for Gehrig, I am pretty sure his singing was dubbed. I also was surprised by his speaking voice, as it was 100% New York--and sounded nothing like Gary Cooper in "Pride of the Yankees". Because of this, it further accentuated the 'fish out of water' aspect of the film with this city boy taking up an odd new life as a rancher! It's all a bit surreal but also pleasant and worth seeing just for its curiosity factor.