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:

TWO TERRIFIED TENDERFEET...CAUGHT IN A ROUND UP OF RIOTOUS REVELRY AND RHYTHM! (original print ad-all caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Western | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

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

In the train car on the way to the dude ranch, Willoughby (Lou Costello) sees Duke (Bud Abbott) and several cowboys getting ready to play cards. He says, "What are you playing?" and Duke replies, "Poker". Willoughby says, "I've never played that game before. Is it like dice?" That's an inside joke, referring to Abbott & Costello's famous "dice" routine, which they used in their first starring film, Buck Privates (1941).

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Goofs

When Willoughby enters the caboose he stands by the poker table with the door open behind him. The brakeman closes the door. Willoughby walks over to sit down and the brakeman closes the door again.

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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

Referenced in Blaze of Glory: Mel Brooks' Wild, Wild West (2014)

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Soundtracks

A-Tisket, A-Tasket
by Ella Fitzgerald and Van Alexander (as Al Feldman)
Performed by Ella Fitzgerald (uncredited)

User Reviews

"You shot an arrow through the heart of her teepee."

Fun Abbott & Costello movie has the boys playing peanut vendors at a rodeo who get into trouble with their boss, so they head West and get a job working on a dude ranch. While Bud and Lou are up to their usual antics, singing cowboy Dick Foran tries to win over cowgirl Anne Gwynne. The problem is Foran's not a real cowboy and Gwynne doesn't think much of him. But when he's set to compete in a charity rodeo, she has to teach him to be a real cowboy fast.

Pretty funny with a good supporting cast that includes Douglas Dumbrille, Samuel S. Hinds, Morris Ankrum, and Johnny Mack Brown. Bud and Lou are in good form with funny lines and banter throughout, as well as some nice physical gags. Dick Foran does fine and lovely Anne Gwynne is charming. This one also has several musical numbers. The Merry Macs sings some nice tunes and Ella Fitzgerald, in her film debut, sings "A-Tisket A-Tasket." Even Dick Foran sings a couple of forgettable songs. Not one of A&C's best but pleasant entertainment. While it's true there's more focus on other characters and music than you might want in an Abbott & Costello comedy, rest assured that every time the duo is on screen they are gold.