Movie spotlight
Riding High
No relation to the 1950 Frank Capra film of the same name, the 1943 Technicolor musical Riding High is a by-the-numbers vehicle for Dorothy Lamour and Dick Powell. Lamour stars as Ann Castle, a former burlesque queen who heads westward to claim her father's silver mine. Powell plays mining engineer Steve Baird, who like Ann has a vested interest in the worked-out mine. With the help of genial counterfeiter Mortimer J. Slocum (Victor Moore), Steve and Ann are able to peddle mining stock, thus saving her from bankruptcy. The stockholders are in a lynching mood when it appears that they've been flim-flammed, but a last minute "miracle" saves the day. Featured in the cast are Paramount stalwarts Cass Daley and Gil Lamb, the former doing her quasi-Martha Raye act and the latter swallowing his harmonica for the millionth time. Production values are excellent and the songs are exuberantly performed; it's only in its hackneyed plot that Riding High slows to a clip-clop.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young man inherits a dude ranch and decides to turn it into a casino, much to the dismay of the local townsfolk. He faces opposition from a ruthless gang of gamblers who want to control the area's gambling operations. Along the way, he falls for a beautiful ranch hand who helps him navigate the challenges.
Critical Reception
Riding High is a lighthearted Western comedy that was generally well-received for its entertaining plot and comedic performances. While not a groundbreaking film, it provided a pleasant viewing experience with its blend of cowboy action and humorous situations. Audience reception was positive, appreciating its straightforward narrative and escapist qualities.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its amiable performances and light comedic touch.
Enjoyed for its straightforward Western plot with engaging humor.
Considered a pleasant, if unremarkable, example of the genre.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews and their consensus is not readily available for this film.
Fun Fact
The film was produced by Monogram Pictures, a studio known for its low-budget B-movies, and was part of their strategy to deliver consistent genre entertainment to audiences.
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