Ride 'Em Cowboy

With this, their first release of 1942, Abbott and Costello continue in the same vein as their four previous starring successes; they are supposed to be the stars, but are often second fiddle to music and a romantic subplot. Not that that's bad, considering the appearance of the one and only Ella Fitzgerald -- but the formulaic way Universal was treating the team begins to wear thin with each new film.

There are still plenty of laughs, however; enough to rate this a slight improvement over their previous release, "Keep 'Em Flying." A western setting for Abbott and Costello provides enough comedy hijinks to offset the romance. Dick Foran is back, crooning his way into a girl's heart (in this case, it's Anne Gwynne), and really good music is provided by the aforementioned Miss Fitzgerald (though "Cow-Cow Boogie" mysteriously and unacceptably was cut from the final release) and the Merry Macs.

As top box office attractions, it can be understood why Universal stuck by the comedy-romance-music formula. However, it's wearing thin by even 1942 standards. "Ride 'Em Cowboy" is good, but one waits for the film where Abbott and Costello take center stage throughout the film (fortunately it happens before year's end with the release of "Who Done It"). 7 out of 10.

Abbott and Costello, working on a rodeo as hot dog salesman accidently let out a bull while on the run from the boss. The bull gets in the path of celebrated western hero 'Bronco' Bob. He panics and it's up to champion cowgirl, Anne to save his life. She injures her ankle and is out of the competition. He apologises but she's having none of it after discovering he's a big fake. Meanwhile, the boys, still on the run from the boss hide on the train which Anne(and Bronco Bob) are on. A hilarious poker game routine occurs here. Lou's facial expressions are hystrical. Anyway, the boys get jobs on the 'Lazy S' ranch which Anne's father owns where Bob asks Anne for forgiveness and asks her to train him for the upcoming rodeo competition. Meanwhile, Costello accidentally shoots an arrow through the heart of a teepee and by law has to marry a girl(probably played by a man) whom the tent is owned by. So the Indians are after him.

The boys do all sorts of routines throughout this very very funny outing which won't disappoint any of their fans. Crazy house routine, swimming pool scene, poker scene and the great driving finale are all highlights in one of their best. One or two of the songs slow the pace though (Foran's only).

Ride 'Em Cowboy has always been my favourite Abbott & Costello film, since the first time I saw it at 10 years old. Other films of theirs had some of the classic routines, maybe better stories too, but this one has some great routines, great atmosphere and a lot of great songs too. And just as importantly Anne Gwynne never looked lovelier ... even when she was ogling Dick Foran! Was that why she didn't she make the A-list?!

It's that Universal Studios 1941 atmosphere that counts most, and Don Raye & Gene de Paul had cooked up some marvellous tunes as well, my favourite being Give Me My Saddle. The marvellous Merry Macs had their bit with Wake Up Jacob, a glorious little ditty I think is still not available on CD. Most of todays music experts would go for Ella's classic A-Tisket A-Tasket though, whilst probably commenting on how demeaning it was for her to appear in such a film. But as far they're concerned not for anyone else appearing though!

Favourite bits: Lou's dream sequence "You will You won't"; in the chase "putting out the brake"; the romantic midnight horse ride to the gorgeous I'll Remember April; many other bits of Bud & Lou's, all putting a smile on my face: not forgetting the poker game, breaking in Wildcat, the Red Indian dummy sketch etc. Was Sunbeam the young squaw an inspiration for Tex Avery's cartoons?

82 minutes of joy to fans, however if you don't like A&C, b&w films from 1941, Westerns or slushy music there's nothing for you here.

New York hot dog vendors Bud Abbott and Lou Costello (as Duke and Willoughby) cause trouble at a rodeo, them move out west for real, first disguised as cows and then as cowboys. This was the inevitable "western" take on the "Abbott & Costello" franchise, and it catches the duo appearing still fresh, and with the formula working well. With their "poker game" probably best known, the vaudeville routines seem not to have been tapped out, and the material is chosen well. And, new comedy bits are blended in well.

The inoffensive lovers are singing cowboy Dick Foran (as "Bronco Bob" Mitchell) and pretty cowgirl Anne Gwynne (as Anne Shaw).

Ella Fitzgerald drops in, to sing her hit "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" (1938). Western hero Johnny Mack Brown (as "Alabam'" Brewster) also lends some support. But, the highlight is seeing Ms. Fitzgerald and The Merry Macs do a 1940s jive called "Rockin' and Reelin'" (a tune Chuck Berry might have enjoyed). It's guaranteed to pop your top. Merry Mac brothers Joe, Ted, and Judd McMichael (herein complimented by Mary Lou Cook) were an excellent vocal group, best known for their later hit "Mairzy Doats" (1944).

******* Ride 'Em Cowboy (2/13/42) Arthur Lubin ~ Lou Costello, Bud Abbott, Dick Foran, Anne Gwynne

Hi, Everyone,

I first saw some of this movie in a silent version. It was released by Castle Films as a home movie for people who had 8mm projectors. It was about five minutes in length and the Castle title was "No Indians Please." It had the car chase scene where Abbott and Costello were being pursued by Indians on horseback. The Model A Ford just looks funny even without sound. It has a good special effect where the car is driven underwater.

The spectacular thing about this movie is the music. It was made about a dozen years before Rock and Roll music would be on the charts. This movie has a couple of numbers where Black and White musical artists are mixed musically in a way that basically is Rock and Roll. The combination of barndance cowboy music mixed with an uptempo African American group that is not unlike The Coasters of the fifties is prophetic. I don't think anyone knew what they almost had.

The story is OK. Bud and Lou are their usual selves managing to find trouble in the calmest of settings. A dude ranch, a drive in the desert, a bus trip and a stop to buy some Indian souvenirs causes much chaos.

If you like the bus in this movie, be sure to watch "It Happened One Night." Other bus movies would include "North By Northwest (One scene)," "The Big Bus," "D.O.A. (One scene)," "Speed" and "High Anxiety (One scene)."

Tom Willett