A forgettable story about an American businessman's (Ellison) attempts to purchase a racehorse from a rich Irish/South American , and his lovely daughter's (O'Hara) attempt to hook him at the same time, is merely an excuse for a top-notch musical comedy show. Buddy Ebsen is particularly funny as Ellison's Texan companion, and he gets to show off some snappy dancing, too. The bits that have been written here make Ebsen sort of a low-budget Will Rogers, but he makes the most of the opportunities and comes out shining. The script comes loaded with good jokes, and Ebsen has some of the best delivery (in classic vaudeville style) in the business.
Rodgers and Hart contribute one of their least impressive scores -- only one or two good songs. They gave Ebsen a humorous cowboy ditty to sing (and he sings it poorly deliberately, let's hope), but their theme song ("North America.... meet South America" is but one of its blistering rhymes) is truly atrocious. There are also one or two more or less forgettable attempts by the songwriters to imitate the style of Jerome Kern in light operetta, sung by Ellison's rival for O'Hara's love. Since Ellison can't sing at all, SOMETHING must have swung the thing in his favor.....
A likeable film emerges from the somewhat messy stew thanks to good comedy writing and playing.
Rodgers and Hart contribute one of their least impressive scores -- only one or two good songs. They gave Ebsen a humorous cowboy ditty to sing (and he sings it poorly deliberately, let's hope), but their theme song ("North America.... meet South America" is but one of its blistering rhymes) is truly atrocious. There are also one or two more or less forgettable attempts by the songwriters to imitate the style of Jerome Kern in light operetta, sung by Ellison's rival for O'Hara's love. Since Ellison can't sing at all, SOMETHING must have swung the thing in his favor.....
A likeable film emerges from the somewhat messy stew thanks to good comedy writing and playing.