Rootin' Tootin' Rhythm

Plot

Gene Autry (Gene Autry) and his sidekick Frog Millhouse (Smiley Burnette) decide to leave Gene's ranch in order to pursue cattle rustlers who have been terrorizing the range. The men they are following, the Apache Kid (Max Hoffman Jr.) and Black Jim (Charles King), kill two lawmen and exchange clothes with them. When Gene and Frog discover the bodies, they decide to take their clothes and, disguised as wanted outlaws, head for the border.

Gene discovers that Joe Stafford (Monte Blue), a supposed upstanding head of the cattlemen's association, is the boss behind the rusting gang. When Stafford's niece, Rosa Montero (Armida), and his stepdaughter Mary Ellen (Ann Pendleton) mistake Gene and Frog for the Apache Kid and Black Jim, they turn them in to the deputies, who turn out to be the real outlaws in disguise.

Gene and Frog are able to escape, and with the help of Gene's partner, Buffalo Bradey (Hal Taliaferro), and a group of singing cowhands, who eventually reveal themselves to be Texas Rangers, the rustlers are captured. After Stafford is killed, Gene and Frog return to Gene's ranch.

Cast

Gene Autry as Gene Autry

Smiley Burnette as Frog Millhouse

Armida as Rosa Montero

Monte Blue as Joe Stafford

Al Clauser and His Oklahoma Outlaws as Singing Cowhands

Champion as Champion, Gene's Horse

Hal Taliaferro as Buffalo Brady

Ann Pendleton as Mary Ellen Stafford, Joe's step-daughter

Max Hoffman Jr. as Jed, the Apache Kid

Charles King as Jim Black

Frankie Marvin as Hank

Nina Campana as Ynez

Charles Meyers as Charlie

Casting

Mexican-born actress Armida was paid significantly more than Autry's past female co-stars, $750, for her appearance in Rootin' Tootin' Rhythm. According to Autry, she helped him to sing Spanish lyrics to film songs.

Filming and budget

Rootin' Tootin' Rhythm was filmed March 10–20, 1937. The film had an operating budget of $23,500 (equal to $391,503 today), and a negative cost of $33,034.

Stuntwork

Yakima Canutt

Ken Cooper (Gene Autry's stunt double)

Augie Gomex (Armida's stunt double)

Buck Spencer (Smiley Burnette's stunt double)

Filming locations

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Victorville, California, USA

Soundtrack

"The Old Home Place" (Fleming Allen, Jack Natteford) by Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Hal Taliaferro, Al Clauser and His Oklahoma Outlaws and guests at the party

"Little Black Bronc" (Al Clauser, Tex Hoepner) by Smiley Burnette at the party

"Untitled Composition" an instrumental played at the party

"I Hate to Say Goodbye to the Prairie" (Gene Autry) by Gene Autry and Al Clauser and His Oklahoma Outlaws

"Mexicali Rose" (Jack Tenney, Helen Stone) by Gene Autry

"Mexicali Rose" (Jack Tenney, Helen Stone) by Gene Autry with Armida

"Untitled Dance Music" by Smiley Burnette (accordion) and Armida and Nina Campana in dance

"Trail of the Mountain Rose" (Al Clauser, Tex Hoepner) by Al Clauser and His Oklahoma Outlaws

"The Dying Cowgirl" (Gene Autry) by Smiley Burnette

Memorable quotes

Bartender: What'll it be, strangers?

Frog Millhouse: I'd like a glass of milk.Gene Autry: [elbows Frog] Aw, he's always kidding. We'll drink whiskey straight and wash it down with lye.