The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947)

Chester Wooley (Lou Costello) and Duke Egan (Bud Abbott) are traveling salesmen who make a stopover in Wagon Gap, Montana while en route to California. During the stopover, a notorious ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Barton (as Charles T. Barton)

Writers:

Robert Lees (screenplay), Frederic I. Rinaldo (screenplay)

Stars:

Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Marjorie Main

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bud Abbott	...	Duke Egan
Lou Costello	...	Chester Wooley
Marjorie Main	...	Widow Hawkins
Audrey Young	...	Juanita Hawkins
George Cleveland	...	Judge Benbow
Gordon Jones	...	Jake Frame
William Ching	...	Jim Simpson
Peter M. Thompson	...	Phil (as Pete Thompson)
Bill Clauson	...	Matt Hawkins
Billy O'Leary	...	Billy Hawkins
Pamela Wells	...	Sarah Hawkins
Jimmy Bates	...	Jefferson Hawkins
Paul Dunn	...	Lincoln Hawkins
Diane Florentine	...	Sally Hawkins
Rex Lease	...	Hank

Storyline

Chester Wooley (Lou Costello) and Duke Egan (Bud Abbott) are traveling salesmen who make a stopover in Wagon Gap, Montana while en route to California. During the stopover, a notorious criminal, Fred Hawkins, is murdered, and the two are charged with the crime. They are quickly tried, convicted, and sentenced to die by hanging. The head of the local citizen's committee, Jim Simpson (William Ching), recalls a law whereby the survivor of a gun duel must take responsibility for the deceased's debts and family. The law spares the two from execution, but Chester is now responsible for the widow Hawkins (Marjorie Main) and her seven children. They go to her farm, where Chester is worked by Mrs. Hawkins from dawn to dusk. To make matters worse, Chester must work at the saloon at night to repay Hawkin's debt to its owner, Jake Frame (Gordon Jones). Her plan is to wear Chester down until he agrees to marry her. Chester quickly learns that no one will harm him, for fear that they will have to ...

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Plot Keywords:

montana | abbott and costello | mother daughter relationship | mother son relationship | slapstick comedy | 

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Taglines:

SEE THE LAST WORD IN NECKWEAR! (original print ad - all caps - caption for illustration of necktie party)

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Family | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

A szekér sóvárgó özvegye

Filming Locations:

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$720,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Patricia Alphin was originally cast as Juanita, but two weeks into shooting she was hospitalized with a burst appendix. She was replaced by Audrey Young.

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Quotes

Chester Wooley: That wild goose chase of yours is going to lay an egg.

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Connections

Featured in The World of Abbott and Costello (1965)

User Reviews

A Funny Feature From A & C.

Abbott & Costello play two salesman named Duke Egan & Chester Woolley in the old west who, while visiting the rowdy town of Wagon Gap in Montana become famous after Chester is believed to have shot a notorious outlaw. Unfortunately, this means that Chester inherits his wife widow Hawkins(played by Marjorie Main) and his many children of varying ages. Duke is assigned as his guardian, and at first poor Chester is worked to death, but later realizes that, since no man envies his position, makes him the perfect sheriff, since no one dares oppose him for fear of being the new husband! This will change when it is learned the widow will soon be rich... Clever comedy uses an old obscure law for good comedic effect. Result is a most amusing and appealing film from the team, with Miss Main being their near-equal.