It was on this day, 68 years ago, that the Abbott and Costello movie Ride ‘Em Cowboy was released. 

Ride ‘Em Cowboy was filmed from June 30 thru August 9, 1941 and was originally intended to be the third Abbott and Costello film.  However, due to the success of the service film, Buck Privates, the production for Ride ‘Em Cowboy was delayed so that the comedy team could make In the Navy. 

In fact, Universal was having so much success with the Abbott and Costello service comedies that they decided to hold back release of Ride ‘Em Cowboy yet again so the team could make, and Universal could release, another service film – Keep ‘Em Flying. 

Ride ‘Em Cowboy was shot on location at two dude ranches – The B-Bar A and the Rancho Chihuahua. 

The legendary jazz singer, Ella Fitzgerald, made her screen debut in Ride ‘Em Cowboy, in which she performed “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,” which she also co-wrote.  The song went on to become a huge hit for the singer. 

The routine, “Heard of Cows,” can be seen in this film.  Like so many of Abbott & Costello’s routines, the quick, clever word play is as entertaining today as it was 68 years ago.  Here’s the script for “Heard of Cows”:

Lou: Look at all those cows out there! Get that big bunch of cows!

Bud: Not bunch, herd.

Lou: Huh?

Bud: Cow herd.

Lou: I beg your pardon?

Bud: Cow herd!

Lou: Cow heard what?

Bud: Not heard what! Cow herd!

Lou: Cow heard what? I said look at that big bunch of cows out there!

Bud: Not bunch, herd! Herd of cows!

Lou: Certainly, I’ve heard of cows, you dope!

And here is the trailer for the movie:

Did you know…?

I read somewhat recently that the two lead characters in one of my favorite TV shows, Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter of The Big Bang Theory, were named as a tribute to the late Sheldon Leonard (see picture to the right). Sheldon Leonard was one of the 20th century’s most prolific directors (The Andy Griffith Show, among many others), producers (The Dick Van Dyke Show, among many others), and actors (probably most famous for playing Nick, the bartender, in It’s a Wonderful Life).  His acting career also included two films with Abbott and Costello – Hit The Ice (1943) and Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951).

Anyway, since I’m such a big fan of both The Big Bang Theory and Abbott & Costello, I decided to research the connection (albeit a somewhat loose one) between the two.

Sure enough, in The Official Vanity Archives (#187) of the Chuck Lorre Productions (these are the notes flashed briefly at the end of each show produced by Chuck Lorre), the producer “channels” Sheldon Leonard.  Apparently, Mr. Lorre has consistently ignored Mr. Leonard’s suggestions with regard to sitcom ideas.  Toward the end of this particular vanity card, he (the “channeled” Sheldon Leonard) states:

 ”…I tell him to do a show about four wise guys and a sexy dame what knows da score. So what does da knucklehead do? Scientists and a waitress! It just breaks my heart. But at least the dope managed to slip my name in dis one.” (italics added)

Here’s the trailer for Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man.  Mr. Leonard plays a gangster, Boots Morgan, in the film:

Leonard died at in 1997 at the age of 89, and was buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Not many people know this, but in 1945, Abbott and Costello experienced a rift in their relationship.  The brouhaha concerned the hiring of a domestic servant by Abbott who had previously been fired by Costello.  Looking back, this may seem silly and maybe even petty, but Costello, hurt by his partner’s action, refused to speak to Abbott except when performing.  The films released in 1946 reflect this divide:  The comedians appear separately in character roles.  One of the films of that year, The Times of Their Lives, just happens to be one of my favorite Abbott and Costello movies (the other film released that year was Little Giant). 

Here is the trailer for The Times of Their Lives:

Eventually the rift was resolved in 1947 when Abbott volunteered to help with Costello’s favorite charity, a foundation for needy children.

Did you know?…

Abbott and Costello’s film, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, is often cited as the funniest of the 36 movies these two made together.  The film was released in June 1948 and re-released in 1956.

In 2001, the United States Library of Congress deemed this film “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and chose it for preservation in the National Film Registry, and in September 2007, Readers Digest selected the film as one of the top 100 funniest movie of all time.

Here is the original 1948 trailer for Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein:

One Night In The Tropics marked Abbott and Costello’s film debut.  Released in 1940, the comedy duo essentially play themselves, right down to their character’s names, Abbott and Costello.

Cast in only supporting roles, the comedy team stole the show performing several of their routines from radio and vaudeville (including Who’s On First?) .

Universal Studios subsequently quickly signed Abbott & Costello to a long-term contract.  The following year, 1941, their second film Buck Privates, was released making them bonafide box office movie stars.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

Here is a clip from One Night In The Tropics.  You actually hear the duo’s voices before you see them, with Costello giving his  famous high pitched line from his radio days -  “I’m A Baaad Boy”.

Quick aside:  Recognize the man playing “Boss”?  That’s William Frawley, of course, who enjoyed a successful film career before being cast in the wildly popular TV sitcoms, I Love Lucy and My Three Sons.