Ramsbottom Rides Again

Ramsbottom Rides Again
File:Ramsbottom Rides Again film Theatrical release poster (1956-2).jpg Lobby card
Directed by	John Baxter
Written by	Basil Thomas John Baxter
Based on	play by Harold G. Robert
Produced by	John Baxter Barbara K. Emary
Starring	Arthur Askey Sid James Frankie Vaughan Shani Wallis Betty Marsden Jerry Desmonde
Cinematography	Arthur Grant
Edited by	Vi Burdon
Music by	Billy Ternent
Production company	Jack Hylton Productions
Distributed by	British Lion Films
Release date	June 1956 (1956-06)
Running time	93 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Box office	£109,116 (UK)

Ramsbottom Rides Again is a 1956 British western comedy film produced and directed by John Baxter, starring Arthur Askey, Sid James, Shani Wallis, Betty Marsden and Jerry Desmonde. It was written by Basil Thomas and John Baxter, based on a play by Harold G. Robert, with additional comedy scenes and dialogue by Askey, Glenn Melvyn and Geoffrey Orme.

Plot

Yorkshire pub owner Bill Ramsbottom is finding the introduction of the "telly" has ruined his business at the "Bull & Cow". When he receives a cable from Canada, and learns that his grandfather "Wild Bill" Ramsbottom has left his estate to him, he confers with his family before deciding to set off for the frontier town of Lonesome in Canada to claim his inheritance.

When all the family fortune is gathered together, there is not enough money to pay for tickets on a steamship for everyone. Ramsbottom and his mate, Charlie Watson, stow away in big steamer trunks but are discovered by the crew. Made to work their passage, Charlie and Ramsbottom end up as culinary servers on the voyage. When the captain realizes that "Wild Bill" Ramsbottom's grandson is aboard, he allows him to travel as a passenger.

Arriving at Lonesome, Ramsbottom learns that part of his bequeathment, is that he is the new proprietor of the saloon, which also comes with the job of deputy sheriff in the lawless town. The feared outlaw Black Jake also claims he owns the saloon, but more importantly, wants to locate a hidden map that points the way to a uranium mine on Indian territory.

Ramsbottom and Black Jake have a confrontation at the saloon where the outlaw is arrested, but is later set free. When the map turns up, Charlie and Ramsbottom head off into Indian lands to locate the uranium mine. They run into Indian chief Blue Eagle and the local tribe.

When Black Jake rounds up his gang, a shootout takes place at the saloon. With the help of townspeople and the RCMP, Ramsbotttom is successful in defeating the outlaws and establishing peace in the town.

Cast

• Arthur Askey as Bill Ramsbottom
• Glenn Melvyn as Charlie Watson
• Betty Marsden as Florrie Ramsbottom
• Shani Wallis as Joan Ramsbottom
• Danny Ross as Danny
• Anthea Askey as Susie
• Sidney James as Black Jake
• Frankie Vaughan as Elmer
• Jerry Desmonde as Blue Eagle
• Sabrina as attractive girl
• Dennis Wyndham as Dan
• Gary Wayne as Tombstone
• Billy Percy as Reuben

Sabrina received a special billing, despite her minor role.

Production

Ramsbottom Rides Again was filmed at Beaconsfield Film Studios, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England. The animated opening scene shows a Yorkshire landscape of homes with television aerials popping up, setting up the initial conundrum for the Bull & Cow pub.

Music

Frankie Vaughan, in his film debut, sings "This is the Night" and "Ride, Ride, Ride Again."

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Those amused by Arthur Askey's particular brand of unsophisticated clowning will no doubt find this film funny. To the uninitiated, it will probably appear only as a shapeless hotch-potch of weak slapstick, doubtful music-hall humour, old gags and unsuccessfully aimed satire. Sample joke: 'What's uranium?' – 'Use your cranium – it's the stuff they put under Geiger counters to make them tick'."

Picturegoer wrote: "It's corny; it's rowdy; it's erratic; it's over-boisterous and under-directed. If you asked me why I laughed so hard, I wouldn't be able to tell you. But I did. And I think you will, too. ... Askey lords it cleverly over his partners in comedy: Shani Wallis (as his daughter), Glenn Melvyn (as his gormless buddy) and Anthea Askey, as a tough Western gal. Sabrina, too, wanders through, practically wordless, now and then. But you barely notice her!"

Picture Show wrote: "Hilarious comedy ... A burlesque of the traditional Western, it makes good clean fun, has bright tunes and dialogue and an excellent cast."

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Broad English version of Destry Rides Again, on the juvenile side; Jerry Desmonde very funny as Indian named Blue Eagle."

TV Guide gave Ramsbottom Rides Again one out of four stars, calling it "A barely funny British parody of the American western."

Britmovie called it "laboured and overlong."

Sky Movies rated it three out of five stars, and wrote, "There are quite a few laughs in this broad English version of Destry Rides Again ... Lots of good-natured, juvenile fun ... with Sidney James getting in some practice for his Rumpo Kid in Carry On Cowboy by playing Black Jake. Norman Wisdom's sidekick Jerry Desmonde is very funny as an Indian named Blue Eagle."

External links

• Ramsbottom Rides Again at IMDb