Ride ‘Em Cowboy (1942)

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are Duke and Willoughby, vendors at a rodeo who find themselves in trouble with their boss and flee, first in a car full of longhorns, then aboard a train.

Their destination: the Lazy S dude ranch, where they accept jobs even though they know nothing about herding cattle or any of the other chores that might be expected of them.

Meanwhile, back at the rodeo, cowgirl Anne Shaw (Anne Gwynne) missed out on $10,000 in prize money when she sprained her ankle saving a man from a runaway steer.

And this wasn’t just any man. It was Bronco Bob Mitchell (Dick Foran), a famed Western author who can’t do any of the things he writes about in his book, but can’t let anyone know that, lest he ruin his reputation.

He follows Anne to the dude ranch, hoping to get lessons from her so he can brush up on his cowboy skills. He’d better do it quickly. A journalist trying to expose him as a fake has just entered him in another rodeo.

Review:

The film features some very funny stunts by the famed comedy team of Abbott and Costello, interrupted by lots of musical interludes, including two performances from Ella Fitzgerald, who’s also dude ranch bound for some reason.

Among the funniest scenes: Lou’s attempt to milk a cow, an extended dream sequence in which Indians keep showing up everywhere, and one heck of a car chase, with Lou in the driver’s seat and angry Indians on his trail.

Why would he be running from Indians? Seems he shot an arrow into a heart painted on a teepee. And that means he’s supposed to marry the rather homely squaw who lives inside.

Among the other familiar faces, you’ll find Johnny Mack Brown, who plays the foreman on the dude ranch. Along with Fitzgerald, music is provided by Dick Foran and a quartet known as The Merry Macs.

Directed by:
Arthur Lubin

Cast:
Bud Abbott … Duke
Lou Costello … Willoughby
Dick Foran … Bronco Bob Mitchell
Anne Gwynne … Anne Shaw
Johnny Mack Brown … Alabam’ Brewster
Ella Fitzgerald .. Ruby
Samuel S. Hinds … Sam Shaw
Douglas Dumbrille … Jake Rainwater
Morris Ankrum … Ace
Chief Yowlachie … Chief Tomahawk
Judd McMichael … Tom (The Merry Macs)
Ted McMichael … Harry (The Merry Macs)
Joe McMichael … Dick (The Merry Macs)
Mary Lou Cook … Dotty Davis (The Merry Macs)

Runtime: 82 min.

Memorable lines:

Willoughby, as Anne Shaw walks by: “Hot dog! Did you ever ride a jackass?”
Anne: “No.”
Willougby: “Hop on my back.”

Willoughby, arriving at a tourist shop: “Look, a real bow and arrow.”
Duke, reading the label: “Made in Cleveland.”
Willoughby: “Haven’t you ever heard of the Cleveland Indians?”

Jake Rainwater, as Willoughby flees the prospect of marrying Moonbeam: “Don’t worry. We’ll have a bow-and-arrow wedding.”

Alabam’ Brewster: “Did you ever punch cattle?”
Willoughby: “I should say not. I never hit any animals.”

Willoughby: “Do I have to milk that bunch of cows?”
Duke: “No, not bunch. Herd.”
Willoughby: “Heard of what?”
Duke: “Herd of cows.”
Willoughby: “Sure I’ve heard of cows. What do you think I am? A dummy?”
Duke: “No, a cow herd.”
Willoughby: “What do I care if a cow heard? I didn’t say anything to be ashamed of.”