Dean Martin is Slim Mosely, foreman of the K Ranch in Carson Valley. Jerry Lewis is Wade Kingsley, who’s living back East as the coddled son of millionaire Matilda Kingsley. Years earlier, their dads were partners, fighting off bandits to save the ranch.
Well, K Ranch, is now owned by Wade’s cousin Carol (Lori Nelson). And it’s still in jeopardy, partly because of a bank loan, partly because of masked raiders. Carol and Slim are hoping to save it with the help of a loan from Matilda and a new bull named Cuddles.
Turns out Matilda could care less what happens to K Ranch. Turns out Wade fouls up Slim’s chances of buying Cuddles with rodeo prize money.
But there’s an arranged marriage Wade wants to avoid. So he buys Cuddles and tags along back West with Slim, who reluctantly takes him on as his new partner, giving him the name Killer Jones so no one will know his true identity.
Turns out K Ranch’s troubles can be tracked back to a banker by the name of Dan Hollis. He has a spy at the ranch in the form of a cowpoke named Rio. And he has his eye on Carol Kingsley, too. But it’s the ranch he really wants so he can sell it to make way for a government dam.
Review:
If you’re into silly sight gags, most coming courtesy of Jerry Lewis, this movie is for you. If not, you might want to avoid it. Oh, there are frequent songs courtesy of our comic twosome as well.
This marked the 16th film Martin and Lewis appeared in together. At the time of its release, there were rumors of their impending breakup. They seem to address that at the end of the film, shooting down the words “The End” and proclaiming they’re not ready for the end yet.
In truth, they’d make just one more film together, “Hollywood or Bust,” which was released later the same year.
This is a loose remake of “Rhythm on the Range,” a 1936 film starring Bing Crosby from the same director.
Directed by:
Norman Taurog
Cast:
Dean Martin … Slim Mosely
Jerry Lewis … Wade Kingsley
Lori Nelson … Carol Kingsley
Jeff Morrow … Pete Rio
Jackie Loughery … Dolly Riley
John Baragrey … Dan Hollis
Agnes Moorehead … Matilda Kingsley
Lon Chaney Jr. … Whitey
Lee Van Cleef … Gus
Jack Elam … Pete
Bob Steele … Shorty
Runtime: 90 min.
Song:
“Whistlin’ Wind” by Dean Martin
“Buckskin Beauty” by Jerry Lewis
“Pardners” by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
“Me ‘n You ‘n the Moon” by Dean Martin
Memorable lines:
Matilda Kingsley: “By the way, you’re getting married.”
Wade Kingsley: “I am. Congratulations to me. Anyone I know?”
Matilda: “Of course. What kind of mother do you think I am?”
Wade: “I think that you’re probably one of the sweetest mothers a boy has ever had, mother.”
Slim Mosely: “Thanks for being so neighborly, Mrs. Kingsley. It makes me appreciate the killers out West.”
Matilda, after Slim has crushed a chair he sits on: “My antique chair!”
Slim: “Well, I’m glad it was only an old one.”
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