Rootin' Tootin' Rhythm

Rootin' Tootin' Rhythm is a 1937 American Western film directed by Mack V. Wright and starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and Armida. Based on a story by Johnston McCulley, the film is about two cowboys who assume the identities of dead outlaws in order to stop a bunch of cattle rustlers, later discovering that the outlaws are far from dead.

Plot

Gene Autry and his sidekick Frog Millhouse 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 and Black Jim, 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, a supposed upstanding head of the cattlemen's association, is the boss behind the rustling gang. When Stafford's niece, Rosa Montero, and his stepdaughter Mary Ellen 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, 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
Gonzalo Meroño as Richard Steward
Charles Meyers as Charlie

Production

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, and a negative cost of $33,034.

Stuntwork

Filming locations

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA
Victorville, California, USA

Soundtrack

"The Old Home Place" by Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Hal Taliaferro, Al Clauser and His Oklahoma Outlaws and guests at the party
"Little Black Bronc" by Smiley Burnette at the party
"Untitled Composition" an instrumental played at the party
"I Hate to Say Goodbye to the Prairie" by Gene Autry and Al Clauser and His Oklahoma Outlaws
"Mexicali Rose" by Gene Autry
"Mexicali Rose" by Gene Autry with Armida
"Untitled Dance Music" by Smiley Burnette and Armida and Nina Campana in dance
"Trail of the Mountain Rose" by Al Clauser and His Oklahoma Outlaws
"The Dying Cowgirl" by Smiley Burnette

Memorable quotes

Bartender: What'll it be, strangers?