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 ...
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Title: Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942)
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1 nomination.
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Bud Abbott | ... | ||
| Lou Costello | ... | ||
| Dick Foran | ... |
Bronco Bob Mitchell
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| Anne Gwynne | ... |
Anne Shaw
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| Johnny Mack Brown | ... |
Alabam' Brewster
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Judd McMichael | ... |
Tom
(as The Merry Macs)
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Ted McMichael | ... |
Harry
(as The Merry Macs)
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Joe McMichael | ... |
Dick
(as The Merry Macs)
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Mary Lou Cook | ... |
Dotty Davis
(as The Merry Macs)
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| Ella Fitzgerald | ... |
Ruby
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| Samuel S. Hinds | ... |
Sam Shaw
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| Douglass Dumbrille | ... |
Jake Rainwater
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| Morris Ankrum | ... |
Ace Anderson
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
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. Written by Anonymous
Taglines:
They'd make a horse LAUGH! (original print ad) See more »Parents Guide:
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
13 February 1942 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Helden im Sattel See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
Duke: He means the bull.
Willoughby: Bull nothin' it's a fact.
See more »
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Don Raye
Music by Gene de Paul
Performed by Dick Foran and The Merry Macs
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The original production plans were delayed in favor of another of Bud Abbott's and Lou Costello's service comedies, Keep 'Em Flying (1941), which were proving to be huge box office hits for Universal. See more »Goofs
Willoughby's hat is pinned to the wall by a knife. When the hat is removed there are two holes in the wall implying that this was the second take. See more »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.
See more »
Soundtracks
Ride 'em Cowboy(uncredited)
Lyrics by Don Raye
Music by Gene de Paul
Performed by Dick Foran and The Merry Macs
See more »
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Sadly, while this is billed as an Abbott and Costello film, like their earliest films, they really are supporting actors and there is a main love story that detracts from the comedy. Other than HOLD THAT GHOST, it wasn't until later that the boys truly were the stars of their films--no longer having to share the spotlight with an irrelevant love story that didn't involve them. As for Abbott and Costello, like in so many of these early films they just seem to be along for the ride and to provide some laughs.
In many ways, the main plot from RIDE 'EM COWBOY is obviously inspired by the Dick Powell film, COWBOY FROM BROOKLYN (1938). In COWBOY FROM BROOKLYN, Dick Powell plays a popular movie cowboy who really knows nothing about being a cowboy. Heck, he's even afraid of horses!! In RIDE 'EM COWBOY, Dick Foran plays a writer who writes cowboy novels and has developed a reputation as a great cowboy, though he doesn't know the first thing about it. So, unlike Powell, Foran sets out to learn what he can about roping and horses and the like. Ironically, Dick Foran is in both films!
Another complaint I have about the film is that it has a lot of irrelevant music. Sure, Foran has a lovely voice as does Ella Fitzgerald (who appears out of no where to sing), but isn't this supposed to be a comedy?! Like too many of their early films for Universal, they are not only saddled with a romantic plot but too many songs that are just distractions. It seems insane to me that these executives were crazy as were the ones who forced the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy (in a few films only) and other comedians to step back for these song and dance numbers.
Unfortunately, since so much time is devoted to these irrelevancies, the film really doesn't have all that much Abbott and Costello and the material they are given isn't their best stuff. As a result, it's a pleasant enough film but a disappointment to Abbott and Costello fans and is among the worst of their early films.