The First Traveling Saleslady (1956)

At the turn of the century Rose and ex-showbiz friend Molly get involved in selling steel. When they come unstuck with corsets they embark on the even more hazardous project of selling ... See full summary »

Director:

Arthur Lubin

Writers:

Devery Freeman, Stephen Longstreet

Stars:

Ginger Rogers, Barry Nelson, Carol Channing

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ginger Rogers	...	Miss Rose Gillray
Barry Nelson	...	Charles Masters
Carol Channing	...	Molly Wade
David Brian	...	James Carter
James Arness	...	Joel Kingdom
Clint Eastwood	...	Lt. Jack Rice
Robert F. Simon	...	Cal - Texas Rancher
Frank Wilcox	...	U.S. Marshal Duncan
Dan White	...	Sheriff (as Daniel M. White)
Harry Cheshire	...	Judge Benson

Storyline

At the turn of the century Rose and ex-showbiz friend Molly get involved in selling steel. When they come unstuck with corsets they embark on the even more hazardous project of selling barbed wire to highly suspicious Texas cowboys.

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Plot Keywords:

barbed wire | corset

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Taglines:

She knows the ROPES and all the JOKES!

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Genres:

Comedy | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Primeira Caixeira Viajante

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arthur Lubin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ginger Rogers would quip that this picture shut down RKO (it was the last film produced by that studio). This very slight Western comedy went unremarked upon by contemporary film critics at The New York Times.

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Quotes

Molly Wade: What's your name?
Lt. Jack Rice, Roughrider: Jack Rice.
Molly Wade: You're handsome. And brave too I'll bet. You like girls?
Lt. Jack Rice, Roughrider: Yes, ma'am.
Molly Wade: Well, I'm a girl.
Lt. Jack Rice, Roughrider: [Grinning] You sure are.

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Connections

Referenced in Clint Eastwood: Director (1982)

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Soundtracks

"The First Traveling Saleslady"
Music by Irving Gertz
Lyrics by Hal Levy
Sung by The Lancers

User Reviews

Bob Hope cameo?

Was that Bob Hope I glimpsed as an Indian whom Ginger Rogers encounters out in front of the hotel when she arrives in the West? I didn't get a good look, but could swear it was him mugging. This is an easy film to relax and enjoy, if you don't expect too much. Carol Channing is a hoot, especially when she is singing. (I think she improved some by the time she did Hello, Dolly.) Clint Eastwood has come a long way since this performance. And I don't think I've ever seen James Arness in anything outside of Gunsmoke. The movie is full of strained jokes and unlikely coincidences, all contrived to make the best of an obviously limp script and a cast of stars. Watch it if you have a couple of hours to kill.