Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942)

Two peanut vendors at a rodeo show get in trouble with their boss and hide out on a railroad train heading west. They get jobs as cowboys on a dude ranch, despite the fact that neither of ... See full summary »

Director:

Arthur Lubin

Writers:

Edmund L. Hartmann (story), Harold Shumate (adaptation)

Stars:

Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Dick Foran

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bud Abbott	...	Duke
Lou Costello	...	Willoughby
Dick Foran	...	Bronco Bob Mitchell
Anne Gwynne	...	Anne Shaw
Johnny Mack Brown	...	Alabam' Brewster
Judd McMichael	...	Tom (as The Merry Macs)
Ted McMichael	...	Harry (as The Merry Macs)
Joe McMichael	...	Dick (as The Merry Macs)
Mary Lou Cook	...	Dotty Davis (as The Merry Macs)
Ella Fitzgerald	...	Ruby
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Sam Shaw
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Jake Rainwater
Morris Ankrum	...	Ace Anderson

Storyline

Two peanut vendors at a rodeo show get in trouble with their boss and hide out on a railroad train heading west. They get jobs as cowboys on a dude ranch, despite the fact that neither of them knows anything about cowboys, horses, or anything else.

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Plot Keywords:

cowboy | horse | dude ranch | rodeo | cowboy comedy | 

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Taglines:

They'd make a horse LAUGH! (original print ad)

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Genres:

Comedy | Western | Musical

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 February 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Helden im Sattel

Filming Locations:

B-Bar A Ranch, Newhall, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the last Bud Abbott and Lou Costello film to be directed by Arthur Lubin. Like their previous collaborations, this became one of the biggest hits of the year.

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Goofs

When Willoughby is in Doctor Ha-Ha's sanitarium, he picks up the phone and asks for water. When he hangs up, you can see the water hose connected to the phone.

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Quotes

Willoughby: It's all our fault. Duke and I went running to hide from the boss and I let the cow's husband out.
Duke: He means the bull.
Willoughby: Bull nothin' it's a fact.

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter (1982)

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Soundtracks

Give Me My Saddle
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Don Raye
Music by Gene de Paul
Performed by Dick Foran

User Reviews

Way Out West with Abbott & Costello

New York hot dog vendors Bud Abbott and Lou Costello (as Duke and Willoughby) cause trouble at a rodeo, them move out west for real, first disguised as cows and then as cowboys. This was the inevitable "western" take on the "Abbott & Costello" franchise, and it catches the duo appearing still fresh, and with the formula working well. With their "poker game" probably best known, the vaudeville routines seem not to have been tapped out, and the material is chosen well. And, new comedy bits are blended in well.

The inoffensive lovers are singing cowboy Dick Foran (as "Bronco Bob" Mitchell) and pretty cowgirl Anne Gwynne (as Anne Shaw).

Ella Fitzgerald drops in, to sing her hit "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" (1938). Western hero Johnny Mack Brown (as "Alabam'" Brewster) also lends some support. But, the highlight is seeing Ms. Fitzgerald and The Merry Macs do a 1940s jive called "Rockin' and Reelin'" (a tune Chuck Berry might have enjoyed). It's guaranteed to pop your top. Merry Mac brothers Joe, Ted, and Judd McMichael (herein complimented by Mary Lou Cook) were an excellent vocal group, best known for their later hit "Mairzy Doats" (1944).

******* Ride 'Em Cowboy (2/13/42) Arthur Lubin ~ Lou Costello, Bud Abbott, Dick Foran, Anne Gwynne