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Melody Trail

January 01, 1970

Melody Trail is a 1935 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Gene Autry, Ann Rutherford, and Smiley Burnette.[1] Written by Sherman L. Lowe and Betty Burbridge, the film is about a singing cowboy who goes after the men who kidnapped the baby he should have been babysitting. The film features the songs "On the Melody Trail", "A Lone Cowboy on the Lone Prairie", and "Western Lullaby".[1]

Melody Trail
Lobby card
Directed byJoseph Kane
Screenplay bySherman L. Lowe
Story by
Produced byNat Levine
Starring
CinematographyErnest Miller
Edited byLester Orlebeck
Music byLee Zahler
Production
company
Distributed byRepublic Pictures
Release date
  • October 21, 1935 (1935-10-21) (U.S.)
Running time
61 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15,075[1]

Plot edit

A radio and music star, Gene Autry (Gene Autry), and his friend, comedian Frog Millhouse (Smiley Burnette), attend a rodeo where Gene falls in love with one of the spectators, Millicent Thomas (Ann Rutherford). Millicent, who is being harassed by her father's former ranch hand, Matt Kirby (Al Bridge), is delighted when Gene sings for the crowd, then later beats Matt in a bucking bronco competition.

That night, while Gene dreams about Millicent, his $1,000 in rodeo winnings are stolen by a gypsy named Frantz (Willy Castello), the husband of a fortune-teller named Perdita (Marie Quillan). The next day, while Millicent goes into town with her father, rancher Timothy Thomas (Wade Boteler) with Millicent's dog, Souvenir (a compulsive thief), takes a detour into the gypsy camp. Souvenir steals a basket containing Frantz and Perdita's baby daughter Rica. Millicent later discovers the infant and takes her in, not knowing who her parents are. Frog and Gene, who end up working as cooks on the Thomas ranch, assume the baby is hers.

Going by the name of "Arizona", Gene captures two wild stallions to impress Millicent and the cowgirls she has hired to replace Matt and his men, who have defected. After Souvenir steals Gene's cookbook, his efforts in the kitchen are far less successful, and the meal that he and Frog prepare for the cowgirls makes them all sick. Meanwhile, Matt plots to rustle the Thomas' cattle. While the cowgirls bathe in a pond, Matt steals their clothes in order to prevent them from protecting the herd.

While searching for Baby Rica, Frantz recovers her from Millicent. Believing him to be a kidnapper, Gene pursues and captures the gypsy, who returns the money he stole from Gene after explaining that Rica is his daughter. Later, Gene sees Matt and his men stealing the cattle and apprehends all eight of them, including Matt, single-handedly. After Gene saves the ranch, he and Millicent, and Frog and Cuddles (one of the cowgirls), are married in a large, musical ceremony along with the other cowboys and girls. The wedding is interrupted, however, when everyone realizes that Souvenir has stolen all their wedding rings.[2]

Cast edit

Production edit

Casting edit

Melody Trail was the first of four film appearances by Ann Rutherford as Gene Autry's leading lady. Therese Ann Rutherford was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on November 2, 1917. After her parents divorced, her mother, a silent film actress, moved to Hollywood with Ann and her sister. While still in middle school, Rutherford began acting in a serial drama at radio station KFAC.[4] In 1935, she made her first film appearance in Waterfront Lady for Mascot Pictures. Following her leading lady role in Melody Trail, Rutherford would go on to appear in three more Gene Autry films: The Singing Vagabond (1935), Comin' Round the Mountain (1936), and Public Cowboy No. 1 (1937). In 1937, Rutherford left Republic Pictures and signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where she made several films, including Pride and Prejudice (1940). In 1939, she played the role of Carreen O'Hara, the sister of Scarlet O'Hara, in the film Gone with the Wind. From 1937 to 1942, Rutherford portrayed Polly Benedict in the MGM Andy Hardy youth comedy film series with actor Mickey Rooney. She retired from films in 1950. Rutherford died on June 11, 2012, at her home in Beverly Hills, California.[5]

Filming and budget edit

Melody Trail was filmed August 21–27, 1935. The film had an operating budget of $15,075 (equal to $335,016 today), and a negative cost of $18,386 (equal to $408,598 today).[1]

Filming locations edit

  • Pendleton, Oregon (rodeo scenes)[1]
  • Jack Garner Ranch, State Highway 74, San Bernardino National Forest, California, US

Stuntwork edit

Soundtrack edit

  • "Hold On Little Dogies Hold On" (Gene Autry) by Gene Autry
  • "On the Melody Trail" (Smiley Burnette) by Gene Autry
  • "Polka in F" by the gypsies (instrumental)
  • "Way Down on Bottom" (Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette) by Smiley Burnette (a cappella)
  • "A Lone Cowboy on the Lone Prairie" (Gene Autry) by Gene Autry and the cowgirls
  • "Western Lullaby" (Gene Autry) by Smiley Burnette, Gene Autry, and the cowgirls
  • "My Neighbor Hates Music" (Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette) by Smiley Burnette (vocals, accordion, harmonica, and tambourine)
  • "Where Will the Wedding Supper Be?" (Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette) by Gene Autry, the brides, grooms, and minister[1]

References edit

Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Magers 2007, p. 35.
  2. ^ Magers 2007, p. 36.
  3. ^ Wear. (December 11, 1935). "Film Reviews: Melody Trail". Variety. p. 34. ProQuest 1475869362. Gene Autry.....Gene Autry; Frog Milhouse.....Smiley Burnette; Millicent Thomas.....Ann Rutherford; Timothy.....Wade Boteler; Matt Kirby.....Al Bridge; Frantz.....Willy Castello; Perdita.....Marie Quillen; Nell.....Fern Emmett; Cuddles.....Gertrude Messinger; Slim.....Tracy Lane; Pete.....George De Norman; Sally.....Marion Dowling; Mamie.....Ione Reed; Helen.....Jane Barnes; 'Buck'.....Buck
  4. ^ Berkvist, Robert (June 12, 2012). "Ann Rutherford, Studio Film Sweetheart, Dies at 94". The New York Times. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  5. ^ Nelson, Valerie; Noland, Claire (June 11, 2012). "Ann Rutherford, actress in 'Gone With the Wind,' dies at 94". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
Bibliography
  • George-Warren, Holly (2007). Public Cowboy no. 1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195177466.
  • Green, Douglas B. (2002). Singing in the Saddle: The History of the Singing Cowboy. Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press. ISBN 978-0826514127.
  • Magers, Boyd (2007). Gene Autry Westerns. Madison, NC: Empire Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-0944019498.

External links edit

January 01, 1970
melody, trail, 1935, american, western, film, directed, joseph, kane, starring, gene, autry, rutherford, smiley, burnette, written, sherman, lowe, betty, burbridge, film, about, singing, cowboy, goes, after, kidnapped, baby, should, have, been, babysitting, fi. Melody Trail is a 1935 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Gene Autry Ann Rutherford and Smiley Burnette 1 Written by Sherman L Lowe and Betty Burbridge the film is about a singing cowboy who goes after the men who kidnapped the baby he should have been babysitting The film features the songs On the Melody Trail A Lone Cowboy on the Lone Prairie and Western Lullaby 1 Melody TrailLobby cardDirected byJoseph KaneScreenplay bySherman L LoweStory bySherman L Lowe Betty BurbridgeProduced byNat LevineStarringGene Autry Ann Rutherford Smiley BurnetteCinematographyErnest MillerEdited byLester OrlebeckMusic byLee ZahlerProductioncompanyRepublic PicturesDistributed byRepublic PicturesRelease dateOctober 21 1935 1935 10 21 U S Running time61 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishBudget 15 075 1 Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 3 1 Casting 3 2 Filming and budget 3 3 Filming locations 3 4 Stuntwork 3 5 Soundtrack 4 References 5 External linksPlot editA radio and music star Gene Autry Gene Autry and his friend comedian Frog Millhouse Smiley Burnette attend a rodeo where Gene falls in love with one of the spectators Millicent Thomas Ann Rutherford Millicent who is being harassed by her father s former ranch hand Matt Kirby Al Bridge is delighted when Gene sings for the crowd then later beats Matt in a bucking bronco competition That night while Gene dreams about Millicent his 1 000 in rodeo winnings are stolen by a gypsy named Frantz Willy Castello the husband of a fortune teller named Perdita Marie Quillan The next day while Millicent goes into town with her father rancher Timothy Thomas Wade Boteler with Millicent s dog Souvenir a compulsive thief takes a detour into the gypsy camp Souvenir steals a basket containing Frantz and Perdita s baby daughter Rica Millicent later discovers the infant and takes her in not knowing who her parents are Frog and Gene who end up working as cooks on the Thomas ranch assume the baby is hers Going by the name of Arizona Gene captures two wild stallions to impress Millicent and the cowgirls she has hired to replace Matt and his men who have defected After Souvenir steals Gene s cookbook his efforts in the kitchen are far less successful and the meal that he and Frog prepare for the cowgirls makes them all sick Meanwhile Matt plots to rustle the Thomas cattle While the cowgirls bathe in a pond Matt steals their clothes in order to prevent them from protecting the herd While searching for Baby Rica Frantz recovers her from Millicent Believing him to be a kidnapper Gene pursues and captures the gypsy who returns the money he stole from Gene after explaining that Rica is his daughter Later Gene sees Matt and his men stealing the cattle and apprehends all eight of them including Matt single handedly After Gene saves the ranch he and Millicent and Frog and Cuddles one of the cowgirls are married in a large musical ceremony along with the other cowboys and girls The wedding is interrupted however when everyone realizes that Souvenir has stolen all their wedding rings 2 Cast editGene Autry as Gene Autry Ann Rutherford as Millicent Thomas Smiley Burnette as Frog Millhouse Wade Boteler as Timothy T Thomas Willy Castello as Gypsy Frantz Al Bridge as Matt Kirby Fern Emmett as Nell the Cowgirl Foreman Marie Quillan as Gypsy Perdita Gertrude Messinger as Cowgirl Cuddles Tracy Layne as Henchman Slim Abe Lefton as World Famous Rodeo Announcer Ione Reed as Mamie Jane Barnes as Helen 3 Buck as Souvenir Millicent s Dog Champion as Champion Gene s Horse 1 Production editCasting edit Melody Trail was the first of four film appearances by Ann Rutherford as Gene Autry s leading lady Therese Ann Rutherford was born in Vancouver British Columbia on November 2 1917 After her parents divorced her mother a silent film actress moved to Hollywood with Ann and her sister While still in middle school Rutherford began acting in a serial drama at radio station KFAC 4 In 1935 she made her first film appearance in Waterfront Lady for Mascot Pictures Following her leading lady role in Melody Trail Rutherford would go on to appear in three more Gene Autry films The Singing Vagabond 1935 Comin Round the Mountain 1936 and Public Cowboy No 1 1937 In 1937 Rutherford left Republic Pictures and signed with Metro Goldwyn Mayer where she made several films including Pride and Prejudice 1940 In 1939 she played the role of Carreen O Hara the sister of Scarlet O Hara in the film Gone with the Wind From 1937 to 1942 Rutherford portrayed Polly Benedict in the MGM Andy Hardy youth comedy film series with actor Mickey Rooney She retired from films in 1950 Rutherford died on June 11 2012 at her home in Beverly Hills California 5 Filming and budget edit Melody Trail was filmed August 21 27 1935 The film had an operating budget of 15 075 equal to 335 016 today and a negative cost of 18 386 equal to 408 598 today 1 Filming locations edit Pendleton Oregon rodeo scenes 1 Jack Garner Ranch State Highway 74 San Bernardino National Forest California US Stuntwork edit Ken Cooper Gene Autry s stunt double George DeNormand Cliff Lyons Joe Yrigoyen 1 Soundtrack edit Hold On Little Dogies Hold On Gene Autry by Gene Autry On the Melody Trail Smiley Burnette by Gene Autry Polka in F by the gypsies instrumental Way Down on Bottom Gene Autry Smiley Burnette by Smiley Burnette a cappella A Lone Cowboy on the Lone Prairie Gene Autry by Gene Autry and the cowgirls Western Lullaby Gene Autry by Smiley Burnette Gene Autry and the cowgirls My Neighbor Hates Music Gene Autry Smiley Burnette by Smiley Burnette vocals accordion harmonica and tambourine Where Will the Wedding Supper Be Gene Autry Smiley Burnette by Gene Autry the brides grooms and minister 1 References editCitations a b c d e f g h Magers 2007 p 35 Magers 2007 p 36 Wear December 11 1935 Film Reviews Melody Trail Variety p 34 ProQuest 1475869362 Gene Autry Gene Autry Frog Milhouse Smiley Burnette Millicent Thomas Ann Rutherford Timothy Wade Boteler Matt Kirby Al Bridge Frantz Willy Castello Perdita Marie Quillen Nell Fern Emmett Cuddles Gertrude Messinger Slim Tracy Lane Pete George De Norman Sally Marion Dowling Mamie Ione Reed Helen Jane Barnes Buck Buck Berkvist Robert June 12 2012 Ann Rutherford Studio Film Sweetheart Dies at 94 The New York Times Retrieved September 12 2012 Nelson Valerie Noland Claire June 11 2012 Ann Rutherford actress in Gone With the Wind dies at 94 Los Angeles Times Retrieved September 11 2012 Bibliography George Warren Holly 2007 Public Cowboy no 1 The Life and Times of Gene Autry New York Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0195177466 Green Douglas B 2002 Singing in the Saddle The History of the Singing Cowboy Nashville Vanderbilt University Press ISBN 978 0826514127 Magers Boyd 2007 Gene Autry Westerns Madison NC Empire Publishing Inc ISBN 978 0944019498 External links editMelody Trail at the American Film Institute Catalog Melody Trail at IMDb nbsp Melody Trail at the TCM Movie Database Melody Trail at AllMovie Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Melody Trail amp oldid 1223094343, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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