The Royal Rodeo (1939)

A young monarch, bored with responsibility and craving excitement, invites a traveling rodeo show to perform at his palace.

Director:

George Amy

Writers:

Owen Crump (screenplay), Nate Gatzert (from an original story by)

Stars:

John Payne, Lucile Fairbanks, Cliff Edwards

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Payne	...	Bill Stevens
Lucile Fairbanks	...	Marianne (as Lucille Fairbanks)
Cliff Edwards	...	Shorty
Scotty Beckett	...	The King
Boyd Irwin	...	Regent

Storyline

In the small European country of Avania, the King, who is only a child, is more interested in the arriving American cowboy show led by Bill Stevens than he is about affairs of the state. After meeting Bill, the King requests that a rodeo be held at the castle. The two begin a friendship based on Bill seeing in the King what he himself was like when he was a child. When the Regent of Avania abducts the King and his governess Marianne in an elaborate and widespread conspiracy to overthrow the King, Stevens puts on a real live wild west show to save the pair and maintain the monarchy as it should be. In doing so, Bill also hopes to demonstrate a wider perspective of life the American way.

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Plot Keywords:

king | show | cowboy | american | rodeo | 

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Genres:

Short | Musical | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 November 1939 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Vitaphone Corporation, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

15 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vitaphone production reels #9539-9540.

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Quotes

[opening title card]
Title Card: Somewhere in Europe nestles the country of Avania ~ A small nation with the manner of a mighty kingdom.

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Connections

Version of The Royal Rider (1929)

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Soundtracks

"Oh! Susanna"
(uncredited)
Written by Stephen Foster (uncredited)
Performed by a chorus

User Reviews

A Bizarre Ending

This film has one of the most bizarre endings of any film I've ever seen. After five people are sentenced to death for trying to overthrow a European monarch, the condemned, some cowboys and and some Indians start singing and dancing together, in a palace throne room, to an annoyingly catchy song called "That's the American Way." The king, takes off his crown and robes to reveal a cowboy outfit. This is a scene you truly have to see to believe!